All 24 Uses of
spectacle
in
The Count of Monte Cristo
- Dantes stood mute and motionless before this majestic spectacle, as if he now beheld it for the first time; and indeed since his captivity in the Chateau d'If he had forgotten that such scenes were ever to be witnessed.†
Chpt 22-23 (definition 1)
- But mark the distinction with which he is treated; instead of being knocked on the head as you would be if once they caught hold of you, he is simply sentenced to be guillotined, by which means, too, the amusements of the day are diversified, and there is a spectacle to please every spectator.†
Chpt 33-34 (definition 1)
- "Oh, no," answered Franz, "I had no such intention; and even if I had felt a wish to witness the spectacle, I might have done so from Monte Pincio—could I not?"†
Chpt 33-34 (definition 1)
- Franz heard the words of the count but imperfectly, and he perhaps did not fully appreciate this new attention to their wishes; for he was wholly absorbed by the spectacle that the Piazza del Popolo presented, and by the terrible instrument that was in the centre.†
Chpt 35-36 (definition 1)
- What the count said was true—the most curious spectacle in life is that of death.†
Chpt 35-36 (definition 1)
- Franz was fascinated by the horrible spectacle.†
Chpt 35-36 (definition 1) *
- But I am really glad to have seen such a sight; and I understand what the count said—that when you have once habituated yourself to a similar spectacle, it is the only one that causes you any emotion.†
Chpt 35-36 (definition 1)
- Instead of the spectacle of gloomy and silent death, the Piazza del Popolo presented a spectacle of gay and noisy mirth and revelry.†
Chpt 35-36 (definition 1)
- Instead of the spectacle of gloomy and silent death, the Piazza del Popolo presented a spectacle of gay and noisy mirth and revelry.†
Chpt 35-36 (definition 1)
- Because then you might witness a spectacle calculated to break down your pride.†
Chpt 47-48 (definition 1)
- "Alas, sir," said Monte Cristo "this spectacle is neither strange to my eye nor my thought.†
Chpt 47-48 (definition 1)
- I will call on you, sir, since you bid me contemplate, for the advantage of my pride, this terrible spectacle, which must have been so great a source of sorrow to your family.†
Chpt 47-48 (definition 1)
- Oh, I assure you, sir, it was a touching spectacle to see these young creatures, destined by their talents for higher stations, toiling together, and through their unwillingness to change any of the customs of their paternal house, taking six years to accomplish what less scrupulous people would have effected in two or three.†
Chpt 49-50 (definition 1)
- The second act passed away during one continued buzz of voices—one deep whisper—intimating that some great and universally interesting event had occurred; all eyes, all thoughts, were occupied with the young and beautiful woman, whose gorgeous apparel and splendid jewels made a most extraordinary spectacle.†
Chpt 53-54 (definition 1)
- Never had the struggle between mind and matter been more apparent than now, and if it was not a sublime, it was, at least, a curious spectacle.†
Chpt 59-60 (definition 1)
- But the most fearful spectacle was Noirtier being pushed towards the bed, his face expressing all his meaning, and his eyes supplying the want of every other faculty.†
Chpt 103-104 (definition 1)
- Asmodeus—that diabolical personage, who would have been created by every fertile imagination if Le Sage had not acquired the priority in his great masterpiece—would have enjoyed a singular spectacle, if he had lifted up the roof of the little house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Pres, while Debray was casting up his figures.†
Chpt 105-106 (definition 1)
- The passengers and their relations crowded on the deck, friends taking a tender but sorrowful leave of each other, some weeping, others noisy in their grief, the whole forming a spectacle that might be exciting even to those who witnessed similar sights daily, but which had no power to disturb the current of thought that had taken possession of the mind of Maximilian from the moment he had set foot on the broad pavement of the quay.†
Chpt 111-112 (definition 1)
Uses with a very rare meaning:
- And you took pleasure in beholding these dreadful spectacles?†
Chpt 35-36 (definition 2) *
- From being slender he had now become meagre; once pale, he was now yellow; his deep-set eyes were hollow, and the gold spectacles shielding his eyes seemed to be an integral portion of his face.†
Chpt 47-48 (definition 2)
- Madame Danglars had started when Villefort, on the count's invitation, offered his arm; and Villefort felt that his glance was uneasy beneath his gold spectacles, when he felt the arm of the baroness press upon his own.†
Chpt 63-64 (definition 2)
- The abbe replaced the large spectacles, which covered not only his eyes but his temples, and sitting down motioned to his visitor to do the same.†
Chpt 69-70 (definition 2)
- The notary, after having according to the customary method arranged the papers on the table, taken his place in an armchair, and raised his spectacles, turned towards Franz: "Are you M. Franz de Quesnel, baron d'Epinay?" asked he, although he knew it perfectly.†
Chpt 73-74 (definition 2)
- Like adventurous captains about to embark on some enterprise full of danger, I laid in my provisions, I loaded my weapons, I collected every means of attack and defence; I inured my body to the most violent exercises, my soul to the bitterest trials; I taught my arm to slay, my eyes to behold excruciating sufferings, and my mouth to smile at the most horrid spectacles.†
Chpt 111-112 (definition 2)
Definitions:
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(1) (spectacle) a notable or unusual event that attracts attention
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(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus) The term spectacles is also used to refer to eyeglasses.