Jane Austen: Emma’s riddle

In Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, the title character outwits a mercenary suitor when she successfully solves his riddle. Think of this one in two parts, and, for another hint, think of what the suitor is doing.
“My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings,
Lords of the earth! their luxury and ease.
Another view of man, my second brings,
Behold him there, the monarch of the seas!”
Answer:

Courtship. The first part, which “displays the wealth and pomp of kings,” represents the “court” part of the word, and the second part, “the monarch of the seas,” is the “ship.” This fictional riddler sure was feeling confident, attempting to court a woman with a riddle about courtship. It doesn’t work in his favour, though, since Emma both beats his riddle and turns down his proposal.
Lewis Carroll: Alice’s Riddle in Wonderland

The classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, published in 1865, is chock-full of nonsense, and this riddle is no exception. When Alice is at the Mad Tea Party, the Hatter himself asks this perplexing question. Riddle-solvers, beware: don’t expect a straight answer from anyone in Wonderland. “Why is a raven like a writing desk?”