“ There are some situations which men understand by instinct, but which reason is powerless to explain; in such cases the greatest poet is he who gives utterance to the most natural and vehement outburst of sorrow. ”
Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo (1845). copy citation
| Author | Alexandre Dumas |
|---|---|
| Source | The Count of Monte Cristo |
| Topic | reason sorrow instinct |
| Date | 1845 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1184/1184-h/1184-h.htm |
Context
“Many people have been assassinated in a tumult, but even criminals have rarely been insulted during trial. Thus Villefort passed through the mass of spectators and officers of the Palais, and withdrew. Though he had acknowledged his guilt, he was protected by his grief. There are some situations which men understand by instinct, but which reason is powerless to explain; in such cases the greatest poet is he who gives utterance to the most natural and vehement outburst of sorrow. Those who hear the bitter cry are as much impressed as if they listened to an entire poem, and when the sufferer is sincere they are right in regarding his outburst as sublime.
It would be difficult to describe the state of stupor in which Villefort left the Palais.” source
It would be difficult to describe the state of stupor in which Villefort left the Palais.” source
Meaning and analysis
