No one can make the most of himself until he looks upon his life as a magnificent possibility, the materials for a great masterpiece, to mar or spoil which would be a great tragedy.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
No matter where your lot may be cast, no power on earth can keep you from making a man of yourself, a superb character, a masterpiece.
He wants to live on through something-and in his case, his masterpiece is his son. all of us want that, and it gets more poignant as we get more anonymous in this world.
Every man of genius sees the world at a different angle from his fellows, and there is his tragedy.
Plot, rules, nor even poetry, are not half so great beauties in tragedy or comedy as a just imitation of nature, of character, of the passions and their operations in diversified situations.
While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our creativity or our glorious uniqueness.
The product of the artist has become less important than the fact of the artist. We wish to absorb this person. We wish to devour someone who has experienced the tragic. In our society this person is much more important than anything he might create.
Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will.
The world assumes that we are very happy with high mansions, fine carriages, servants and attendants, huge investments, and concubines. But he who is without the honor and strength of the soul can be anything but happy.
I think that ultimately any effective drama or tragedy tries to put you as much as it can into the protagonist's shoes.
If a man should happen to reach perfection in this world, he would have to die immediately to enjoy himself.