A New History of Early English Drama Book

It was hard for me to decide on a rating for Tragic Sense of Life by Miguel de Unamuno. For the many times I struggled to understand, was bored or intensely frustrated, I wanted to give it two stars. But then, for the many times I felt like the text was singing, that I was intensely moved by Unamuno's cris de coeur about faith, despair, and hope, I wanted to give it five stars. But settling on three seemed to betray both aspects of my reading experience so I went with the moments, pages, when I was deeply moved and excited, I decided on four stars.

Some experiences are hard to reduce to a number.

Unamuno is writing of the/his struggle with the knowledge of our inevitable death and how that drives some people to reason and others to faith. He comes down on the side of those for whom the "foolishness of the cross" is the necessary refuge.

Some notes and quotes:
"Our life is a hope that is continually converting itself into a memory and memory in turn begets hope."

The tragedy of life is death. Death of our individual consciousness. We are caught between not being able to imagine ceasing to be and not being able to imagine continuing-or at least not without doubt."

A faith that is alive is also on the edge of despair (similar to what Thomas Merton said). We can't help but doubt but we are still pushed to believe.

We need hope to be happy so if all our desires are fulfilled in heaven, then happiness would be impossible.

We need to believe in order to live even if it seems to us impossible to believe.

According to Kierkegaard, faith is the "crucifixion of reason."

The "foolishness of the cross."

It is this contradiction that Unamuno says gives his life meaning and purpose. Or it is the conflict.

Ethics built on struggle with uncertainty.

Problem of vocation or occupation ?! Must give oneself wholly to one's work.

"virtue like religion is the fruit of passion"

I liked this book best when I read it more as a poem than as philosophy. And it was in that way that I found the text most meaningful and beautiful.