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knave

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A dishonest or untrustworthy man; a rogue—used in moral allegory or social satire to denote deceitful character.

Detailed Definition
“Knave” denotes moral and social lowliness, common in dramatic insult. In poetry, it labels traitors, gamblers, or false lovers. The term’s sharpness suits condemnation. Poets use it to explore honor’s fragility, where knavery undermines trust in courtly, mercantile, or domestic spheres, reinforcing themes of deception, class, and virtue.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The knave stole the ring and fled,” in a ballad of betrayal; In Shakespeare’s King Lear: “Thou art a knave, a rascal, an eater of broken meats”; “Call him not knave who acts from need,” urges compassion; “The knave of hearts won the queen’s favor,” a courtly intrigue; “Every knave thinks himself clever,” a satirical maxim; The knave’s smile hid a dagger.
Additional Notes
“Knave” denotes moral deceit more than low birth; in dramatic monologues or ballads, the knave’s charm masks treachery, making him a foil to the honest fool or loyal servant in ethical contrasts.
Also Known As
rogue rascal scoundrel bezonian varlet blackguard
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