Both Uses of
delicacy
in
Paradise Lost
- Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought
My story to the sum of earthly bliss,
Which I enjoy; and must confess to find
In all things else delight indeed, but such
As, used or not, works in the mind no change,
Nor vehement desire; these delicacies
I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers,
Walks, and the melody of birds: but here
Far otherwise, transported I behold,
Transported touch; here passion first I felt,
Commotion strange!†Book 8 *delicacies = things that are rare or expensive -- usually prized foods
- So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste
She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent
What choice to choose for delicacy best,
What order, so contrived as not to mix
Tastes, not well joined, inelegant, but bring
Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change;†Book 5
Definitions:
-
(1)
(delicacy as in: eat the delicacy) something that is rare or expensive -- usually a prized food
-
(2)
(delicacy as in: discuss with delicacy) care and gentleness -- especially speaking or acting with sensitivity and tact
-
(3)
(delicacy as in: offend her delicacy) the quality of being easily hurt or damaged
(often referring to the fragility of someone's emotional well being when it is easily distressed by something that is offensive or disturbing) -
(4)
(delicacy as in: delicacy of the brushwork) pleasant subtlety or fineness
-
(5)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus