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{tragedy as romance} jonathan bitz It has been often said that the word "romantic" has loose etymological ties to the notion of tragedy. For this author however, this correlation is not a loose one - instead, tragedy is an inherent and necessary component to the sensation of romance. Moreover, tragedy is not only a component to the amalgam of things that compose this idea of romance, it is also the most beautiful part of romance. Romance is not a candlelight dinner. Romance is not red rose and a good wine served in front of your lover's fireplace. These are merely expressions of romance. In turn, these are also expressions of tragedy. The expressions of romance are simply the rituals of the dance - just as a wake is the ritualistic precession of a funeral. Everything dies. Events, conversations, people, and even places. And while this is the obvious and natural course of all things; and while it is a sad component to existence - it is a truth. Here, another truth follows closely behind: Sadness is beautiful. And to get straight to it: What is tragic about romance is the inevitability of the death of that moment. The large and simple fact is that romance will die. Romance, like any other noun, has a lifespan. And if it doesn't die during or after it's most invigorating stage - that of ardor - it dies down the road. And while romance does appear in fits and paroxysms during the course of an extended relationship - its expressions and pungent sensations are few and far between. The core of emotions fundamental to the sensation of romance come and go. Live and die. And while romance is a suitable example of the end of things; and of tragedy, it is the fire of ardor that is the perfect illustration of the temporality of everything. Central to the notion of romance, ardor is defined as a fleeting and temporary heat. As ardor is also fundamental to the idea of romance, so too is ardor the object of romance. But, as its contemporary and fluid definition points out, it is not permanent. It is fleeting. It comes, then goes. Like romance, ardor too dies. Apart from romance, ardor is definite in its giving and taking. When it leaves, you are sure to notice that emptiness. Romance is a moment. And moments die. This is the tragedy of existence. |
