Tragic Sense of Life is a book of philosophical reflection which considers the nature and transience of humanity, the trials - physical, societal and emotional - of existence, together with death and the afterlife.
A superb treatise whereby the author's intellect is unleashed upon a variety of questions, this text combines the passionate liveliness found in Unamuno's fictional efforts with a thought-provoking gravitas cast upon life and living. The towering ambitions of man are shown to pale in the face of limitations and reality: immortality, the greatest aspiration of all, is but an impossibility.
The title, in alluding to tragedy, foretells the author's argument that life and human nature have a strong streak of absurdity. In the final chapter, the author compares the classic story of Don Quixote - the man whose mad ambition led him to ride his horse in four directions at once - with everyday human life. Yet human beings should not be sorrowful; an appreciation and practice of good deeds, coupled with a deep understanding of our fleeting consciousness, can make life a joyful and fulfilling experience.
Above all, Miguel de Unamuno strives to present a feeling of persistence in the face of the difficulties and sense of meaninglessness which - whether little or often - affects the lives of many. The author's determination imbues the text with an essential humanity; the advice and wisdom of each chapter remains timeless, both as a starting point for further philosophic study or as sound guidance to revisit, again and again.
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