"What is madness but nobility of soul at odds with circumstance"

This quote by Theodore Roethke speaks with the idea that madness is not necessarily an unfavorable thing, however rather a sign of strength and nerve in the face of tough scenarios. Roethke suggests that those who are deemed "mad" are in fact people of noble character who are struggling to deal with the obstacles of life. He indicates that it is not the person who seethes, however rather the scenario they remain in that is the cause of their distress. Roethke's quote encourages us to look beyond the label of "madness" and to recognize the strength and nerve of those who are dealing with challenging situations. It is a pointer that we should not judge those who are having a hard time, however rather provide them empathy and understanding.