[Lexicog] names as characteristic of a category

[Hayim Sheynin]

Fritz,

I think, Hercules  is good example, at least  in  English and Russian, I do not know  if  he is  proverbial  in other languages.  I understand your suggestion  of Penelope (she is all what you said indeed), but  it seems that she didn't rise to the level of Xanthippe or Hercules in popular usage.
There is a parallel to Hercules - Gargantua (maybe it is Gargantois?) from
G. et Panagruel by Rables, also Martin Eaden from Jack London's book and maybe several characters of Moliere, John Falstaff and Shylock of Shakespeare.
In Russian language there are several proverbial names taken from the works of Fonvizin (von Wizin), Griboedov, Gogol, Saltykov-Stchedrin and Chekhov. (Prostakova [stupid, ignorant lady], Svinyin, [idiot squire] Scalozub [epidemy of conservatism and cretinism], Manilov [fruitless dreamer], Nozdryov [opposite to comme il faut], Sabakevich [owner of manor of heavy type, likes big and strong things and suspects that everybody deceives him], Korobochka (resourceful mistress of the house), Derzhimorda, Unter Prishibeev(tipes of brute policeman) Each of these name describe a large negative category of people. 
Also from the time of sentimentalism one of characters of a novelette by Karamzin (Poor Liza) describe a category of abandoned brides.
There is entire gallery of characters in Russian literature of the 19th cent. that
illustrates the idea of "unnessessary people." They are people who received good education, had all opportunity of employment or independent creative work, but on different reasons do not contribute anything. One of this characters Oblomov is a proverbial figure for "far niente"(Ital.). The person lays on the coach and does nothing. (This is not depression).
Don Juan (philander), Salieri (sounds bad in Russian, as enemy of the genius and bad composer).  Paganini is proverbial for violin virtuoso. Savonarola, Macchiavelli are also describing categories. Jesuite in Russian describe  a negative  type of person  (not necessary  connected to religion) 
There is a name for the critic who criticizes harshly any work of art and literature whatever its merits (Zoil, probably taken from Greek culture), Herodot is a proverbial historian, Cicero is a proverbial orator, Caesar is a type of person that can perform several acts contemporaneously. In American English name MacKey describes probably a strong and decisive macho type. There is expression, "he is real MacKey"(I am not sure in spelling, this could be McKay)
Of course there are much more such names, but it is enough for one email message. The title or profession "doctor" (one who knows everything). 
In Israel there is a name for one who changed his political party. I forgot his name (it seems to me, Korodo), but this was the first time when it occurred in the country. This Korodo wasn't important politician. But when Moshe Dayyan did
the same, everybody cited the case of Korodo as the type. They even invented term  Korodism for this type of behavior.  

Hayim Sheynin

Fritz Goerling <Fritz_Goerling at sil.org> wrote:                                          
        Hayim,
  How about a Penelope figure, a faithful wife who waits patiently for her husband to return? On the male side: someone is a Hercules. 
  Fritz
  Hayim Sheynin asked: 
  
 What other names of wives of famous men can be a characteristic of a category?
 
 Hayim
 
 Fritz Goerling <Fritz_Goerling at sil.org> wrote:
          In some languages the names of wives of famous men have entered the language
  
    to characterize a certain kind of woman: like Xanthippe (Socrates’wife) is used in English and German.
  
     
  
    Fritz
  
     
  
  
  
    
  
  
   
  
      
     
                       

 
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