If prose gives some satisfaction by making work seem productive, it is nowhere near the real pleasure of composing a righteous verse that satisfies in form and conveys the desired idea or feeling. It does not matter how many hours one spends ruminating: a single accurate verse saves the day and cheers the spirit, repeating itself in one’s mind to infinity after the work session. Prose, on the other hand, does nothing but conjure up a truckload of problems after the brief and faint feeling of duty done. Incomparable…
Nietzsche’s Grandiose Madness
Although Schopenhauer’s poison has already impregnated itself absolutely in my literature, I appreciate much more the grandiose madness of Nietzsche, which demands a greater effort of the spirit and rewards with honor the very few capable of achieving it. To overcome nihilism and inoculate in the mind a resounding and definitive “yes,” to despise the petty and ephemeral hardships, to transform existence into a rotund exclamation,—even if it is necessary to contradict the rational:—all this seems more beautiful and more worthy of value.
“Bravery Is to Fight a Lost War!”
I have just brought to life a character who knots the thinking and skirts around a terrible pessimism by shouting, “Bravery is to fight a lost war!” From outside the poem, my mind tells me that “dumbness” also fits the metric and rhythm perfectly. That is true, mind, you are right…. But it is curious how reasoning often opposes honor, the latter demanding irrational conduct. “Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point”—Pascal lucidly points out. And there are times when to be rational is also to be mediocre.
The Poetry of Gonçalves Dias
The flaws in Gonçalves Dias’ poetry are not few. But much more numerous, much more abundant are the passages in which form and expression shine, and the poet unquestionably rises to the level of the best in the Portuguese language. Gonçalves Dias delights, above all, by the sincerity of his poetic expression, which is convincing and has nothing of affectation. An emotional and vigorous poetry, that deservedly was received as the best of its time on a national level and that touches, even more, when supported by a biography worthy of a poet.