the Devil incarnate

Meaning

Origin

From Shakespeare's King Henry V and Titus Andronicus.

HV - Boy: Yes, that a' did; and said they were devils incarnate. TA - LUCIUS: O worthy Goth, this is the incarnate devil That robb'd Andronicus of his good hand; This is the pearl that pleased your empress' eye, And here's the base fruit of his burning lust. Say, wall-eyed slave, whither wouldst thou convey This growing image of thy fiend-like face? Why dost not speak? what, deaf? not a word? A halter, soldiers! hang him on this tree. And by his side his fruit of bastardy.