"Oh rage! Oh despair! Oh age, my enemy!"
- Pierre Corneille
About this Quote
Pierre Corneille's quote, "Oh rage! Oh despair! Oh age, my opponent!" poignantly encapsulates the turbulent interaction of emotions experienced by the protagonist in his classic play "Le Cid." Through these exclamatory phrases, Corneille strongly communicates the inner chaos and existential angst that comes from the crossway of unsatisfied ambitions, individual failures, and the relentless passage of time.
The very first exclamation, "Oh rage!", embodies an extreme, visceral reaction to viewed oppressions or barriers. Rage is an effective emotion defined by a sense of frustration and helplessness. In the context of the lead character, this rage most likely stems from a fight with circumstances that ward off desires or aspirations. It might reflect a simmering resentment towards fate or societal constraints that prevent the realization of one's potential or objectives.
The 2nd expression, "Oh anguish!", delves much deeper into the emotional abyss, symbolizing a profound sense of hopelessness and desolation. Despair develops when the intensity of previous experiences of rage paves the way to resignation, acknowledging the futility of resistance versus frustrating odds. This belief records the essence of a soul in crisis, facing the weight of unrealized dreams, failures, or losses that seem overwhelming.
The last exclamation, "Oh age, my enemy!", personifies time as an adversary, underscoring the ruthless march of years that deteriorate youth, strength, and opportunities. This expression encapsulates the universal struggle against aging and its implications-- lessened vigor, subsiding influence, and the haunting awareness of mortality. Age becomes an antagonist that intensifies sensations of rage and despair, as it represents a barrier to attaining what one desires within the restraints of a life time.
Collectively, these exclamations form a powerful triad that highlights the human condition in its rawest type. Corneille masterfully records the existential struggle between desire and reality, illustrating the inescapable conflict in between aspirations and the immutable forces of time, scenario, and individual restrictions.
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