| Words. A svengali is a person who controls another’s mind or has the ability to control others, usually with sinister intent. In the 1891 gothic-horror novel Trilby, by George du Maurier, Svengali is a hypnotist who transforms the title character into a famous singer.
What does being a svengali mean?
Definition of Svengali
: a person who manipulates or exerts excessive control over another.
Was there a real svengali?
Svengali, fictional character, the villain of the romantic novel Trilby (1894) by George du Maurier. The name Svengali became synonymous with an authority figure or mentor who exerts undue, usually evil influence over another person.
Who was the original Svengali?
Portrayals. Svengali was first portrayed by the English actor Herbert Beerbohm Tree in London and by the actor Wilton Lackaye in the United States in the stage play of 1895, Trilby.
Is Svengali an English word?
a person who completely dominates another, usually with selfish or sinister motives.
What word is a synonym of svengali?
Synonyms:face, national treasure, sleb, personality, celebrity, star, icon, public figure, living legend.
Who wrote svengali?
Svengali. Svengali, fictional character, the villain of the romantic novel Trilby (1894) by George du Maurier.
Is Daphne du Maurier related to George du Maurier?
The writers Angela du Maurier and Dame Daphne du Maurier and the artist Jeanne du Maurier were all granddaughters of George. He was also father of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and grandfather of the five boys who inspired J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan.
Is Svengali a slur?
So, when people refer to someone as a ‘Svengali’, they are actually employing somewhat of an anti-Semetic slur. Ultimately, ‘Svengali’ describes someone very controlling and with extraordinary influence over others.
Who was in the movie svengali?
Cast: John Barrymore (Maestro Svengali), Marian Marsh (Trilby O’Farrell), Donald Crisp (The Laird), Bramwell Fletcher (Billee), Carmel Myers (Madame Honori), Luis Alberni (Gecko), Lumsden Hare (Monsieur Taffy). BW-81m.
