"To he who avenges a father, nothing is impossible"

The assertion "To he who avenges a father, nothing is impossible" draws from the deep well of human themes surrounding loyalty, filial duty, and the transformative power of emotion. Within the context of familial bonds, particularly the relationship between a child and a parent, Corneille identifies vengeance as more than retribution, it becomes a sacred duty, elevated above ordinary motivations. The phrase captures the mythic ethos common in classical drama, where characters are propelled to extraordinary feats by primal loyalties.

When a person seeks to avenge their father, the act moves beyond personal justice; it becomes a mission imbued with moral and emotional urgency. The drive for vengeance is so potent that it dissolves barriers which, in other circumstances, would seem insurmountable. What might exhaust the capacities of ordinary men becomes achievable because the avenger’s energy is fueled by purpose that transcends individual limitation. The impossible is rendered possible because the son or daughter channels all grief, anger, and devotion into a single-minded pursuit. The limits of human potential are radically expanded under the influence of such relentless motivation.

Corneille’s statement also underscores the power of identity and legacy. Avenging a father isn't solely about punishment; it often involves restoring honor, reclaiming dignity, and fulfilling the unfinished business of the previous generation. The figure who undertakes this task is granted an almost superhuman endurance. The boundaries of fatigue, fear, and even failure are pushed back, not by mere obstinacy, but by love interwoven with duty.

This dynamic appears in ancient mythologies, Shakespearean tragedies, and world literature. Hamlet, Orestes, Telemachus, all find themselves facing seemingly impossible odds, yet persevere because the loss and the call to vengeance form a crucible for greatness. Corneille’s words thus speak not only to individual capability but also to the enduring truth that love, when fused with purpose, grants human beings the strength to defy the impossible.