Essay on Art as a Reflection of Life in Death in Venice

Art as a Reflection of Life in Death in Venice Death in Venice explores the relationship between an artist, namely Gustave von Aschenbach, and the world in which he lives. Aschenbach, destined to be an artist from a young age, represents art, while his surroundings represent life. As the story unfolds, Aschenbach endeavors on a journey in an attempt to relinquish his position in society as an artist. Aschenbach wants to experience life, as opposed to merely reflecting upon it, as he has done for so many years. This attempted change of lifestyle can also be interpreted as a transition from the ways of Apollo to those of Dionysus, an archetype dating back to Nietzsches Birth of Tragedy. Aschenbachs journey throughout Death†¦show more content†¦Aschenbachs resolution to travel is not described by the author as a voluntary act, but instead portrayed his destiny. Mann writes, Aschenbach regarded travel as a necessary evil. (Mann, 6) His life had been filled with order, austerity, and isolation, essentially elements of an Apollonian lifestyle. Due to the regularity and predictability of his previous life, Aschenbachs decision to travel can be interpreted as an act of fate, thereby making the man on the portico a messenger. Upon being summoned by the messeng er, Aschenbachs first destination is Trieste, a word meaning sad in French. Appropriately enough, this concurs with Aschenbachs outlook towards his upcoming travel. The next event of Aschenbachs twist of fate takes place on the small boat ferrying him to Venice. While onboard, Aschenbach takes note of an elderly man not acting his age. Mann writes, But the young-old man was a truly repulsive sight in the condition to which his company with youth had brought him. (Mann, 19) Seeing a drunken old man passing away the time with the youth is not what disgusted Aschenbach. On the contrary, Aschenbach saw himself in the old man, and rejected the direction which his life had taken. The alcohol is symbolic for the Dionysian surroundings in which Aschenbach finds himself, namely the relaxed, happy, and carefree elements of the scene. However, Aschenbach is fated to stand back and reflect on the scene instead of becoming a part of it because heShow MoreRelatedArt: Comparison and Contrast of 19th Century Art Essay1175 Words   |  5 Pages there is a difference between their styles, their point of view, and the scenery. However there are similarities betwe en the two paintings. The paintings that will be compared and contrasted are â€Å"Under the Birches, Evening† and â€Å"The Campo Santo, Venice.† The first painting, â€Å"Under the Birches, Evening†, is done by Pierre Etienne Theodore Rousseau. He was born on April 15, 1812 in Paris, France. His family saw that he had great potential in being an artist and since their business was profitingRead More Henry James The Wings of the Dove Essay4845 Words   |  20 PagesHenry James The Wings of the Dove This paper will present briefly Henry James and his thoughts about the art of fiction that is presented by his same titled essay before thoroughly analyzing his novel: The Wings of the Dove. James’ ideas on his article The Art of Fiction will be applied to The Wings of the Dove and the narrative style that he uses will be indicated by certain quotations taken from the novel. James had read classics of English, American, French, and German literature andRead More Ambiguity, Inconsistency and Uncertainty in Othello Essay example1269 Words   |  6 Pagesand strange. Consider the propriety of the general’s slapping the face of Desdemona in the presence of Lodovico: OTHELLO. Devil! [Strikes her.] DESDEMONA. I have not deserved this. LODOVICO. My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, Though I should swear I saw’t. ‘Tis very much. Make her amends; she weeps. (4.1)   Is this violent action not out of place – and just plain impossible at this point? No crime by the lady would be deserving of public beating, especiallyRead More Irregularities in Othello1716 Words   |  7 PagesIrregularities in Othello  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   The Shakespearean tragedy Othello contains various irregularities of time and occurrence which cause the audience to scratch their head in wonder and doubt. Let us analyze some of these shortcomings in this essay.    In the Introduction to The Riverside Shakespeare Frank Kermode explains one of the difficulties in Othello:    Othello murders his wife on the second night in Cyprus. The difficulty, of which Shakespeare was clearly aware, arisesRead MoreEssay on Pure and Foolish Love in Othello1275 Words   |  6 Pagesreasoner and foolish lover. The tragedy of `Othello is largely due to Othellos personality and life experience. Othello believes himself to be loved and respected by everyone around him as most people refer to him as the noble General Othello. Othello, after realizing his tragic mistake of murdering his innocent wife, Desdemona, claims he loved not wisely, but too well, this is an honest reflection of himself as his love was true and pure but also foolish. His lack of wisdom is because ofRead MoreEssay on The Imagery of Othello2452 Words   |  10 PagesImagery of Othello Talks  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   In the tragedy Othello the Bard of Avon uses imagery to talk between the lines, to set moods, to create a more dramatic impact on the mind of the audience, and for other reasons. Let’s consider imagery in this essay.    A surprising, zoo-like variety of animal injury occur throughout the play. Kenneth Muir, in the Introduction to William Shakespeare: Othello,   explains the conversion of Othello through his increased use of animal imagery:    ThoseRead MoreThe Role of Prejudice in the Merchant of Venice2395 Words   |  10 PagesThe Role of Prejudice In The Merchant of Venice This paper discusses the subject of prejudice in the William Shakespeare play, The Merchant of Venice. I. Introduction William Shakespeares satirical comedy, The Merchant of Venice, believed to have been written in 1596 was an examination of hatred and greed.The premise deals with the antagonistic relationship between Shylock, a Jewish money-lender and Antonio, the Christian merchant, who is as generous as Shylock is greedy, particularlyRead More Othello’s Diversity of Imagery Essay2781 Words   |  12 Pagesof the populous city of Venice – Iago’s â€Å"world,† as it has been called. . . .(132)    When Iago returns to the Moor, he resorts to violence in his description of the senator, saying that â€Å"nine or ten times / I had thought to have yerkd him here under the ribs.† Othello responds to the antagonist with a whole new set of imagery which is respectable, non-violent, and worthy of imitation; he speaks of his family lineage and the open sea:      Ã‚   I fetch my life and being   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   FromRead MoreJealousy and Race in Othello 1430 Words   |  6 Pagescertainly is a timeless classic work of art. â€Å"The object of tragic imitation is men in action.† As stated by Aristotle in his work, Poetics. Othello consists of men in action, in more than one sense; Othello (titular character protagonist), Iago and Cassio are ‘men of action’ and additionally, throughout the play we are able to observe men and women combating none other than life itself. The play deals with various themes and issues, however, this essay will focus on jealousy and race. OthelloRead MoreEssay on Discrimination Against Women in Othello3067 Words   |  13 Pagesunjustly so. Let’s talk about the obvious sexism throughout the play.    Susan Snyder in â€Å"Othello: A Modern Perspective† expounds on the sexist notions typical of Venice:    The pervasive notion of woman as property, prized indeed but more as object than as person, indicates one aspect of a deep-seated sexual pathology in Venice. [. . .] Fear of women’s sexuality is omnipresent in Othello. Iago fans to flames the coals of socially induced unease in Othello, fantasizes on his own about being