Jacopo
Ortis’ letters to Lorenzo are full of classical elements. Foscolo hits the
reader with deep emotion, from the beginning of Jacopo’s infatuation with
Teresa and ending with his death. Other than triggering emotions, the book
provokes thought about human nature and human existence. Ortis writes, “I
suspect that Nature made our species just about the tiniest ineffectual link in
her incomprehensible system” (Foscolo 31). Teenagers today believe that the
world revolves around them but in fact the world is larger than they can
picture. Compared to the rest of the world one teenager is “tiny” and Foscolo
realizes its importance. People need to keep one another in check with reality.
Teresa is out of his league and he knows it and it is human nature that drives
him to write to her and reach out to her. Jacopo would be happier if he realize
that she is unattainable and to end his pursuit of her.
Another
topic that Ortis writes on is human existence. He says existence is, “short,
uncertain, [and] unhappy” (31). The whole book he is fed up with the world.
Ortis is not getting what he wants, Teresa, and ends up killing himself because
of this. His suicide is the only way he can find peace; he is on a search for
the sublime. This is an important theme because death is the only option for
Jacopo and this is a major problem today: suicide. All the stresses in life can
all be eliminated by the sublime. The sublime is a state where you are
perfectly at peace and although no one knows for sure; some believe death to be
an entrance into the sublime. But the pursuit of life and living life to the
fullest should be the real focus. We can reach the sublime by creating good
memories. Ortis writes, “Let us treasure those dear and tender feelings which
may reawaken in us, through all the years – years of sadness and persecution
perhaps – which lie before us, the memory that we have not always lived in
sorrow” (19). Through our imagination and memories we can capture portions of
the sublime and not go through the terrible fate of Jacopo Ortis.
Jacopo does face this unattainable happiness that you discussed and it is definitely one of the main themes that Foscolo highlights. I think there is a common trait among humans that we have faced forever, and that is wanting what we can't have. Like you said, Jacopo knows he cannot be with Teresa, yet he never stops loving and pursuing her, which again shows that humans simply want what they know they can't have. It is interesting how you discussed Jacopo's quest for the sublime. There is a quote that corresponds well with your statement that death is an entrance into the sublime, as Jacopo states, "At these words everything I saw seemed like a smile of the universe. I gazed at the sky with my eyes full of gratitude, and it seemed to me that the sky had opened to receive us. Alas! Why did death not come then?" (57). At a peak of joy, right after he thought of telling Teresa "I love you," he would have been content with death because he was in nature and very peaceful. I would agree that Jacopo searches for the sublime, or at least happiness and love.
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