In ‘Marius the Epicurean, ‘ Walter Pater crafts a rich, philosophical narrative set in the decline of the Roman Empire, exploring the life of a sensitive and introspective youth grappling with the complexities of pleasure, spirituality, and the pursuit of beauty. This two-volume edition showcases Pater’s masterful prose, characterized by his distinctive aestheticism and deep psychological insight. The novel unfolds in a series of lyrical vignettes, blending historical context with a modern sensibility that articulates the tensions between hedonism and moral introspection, all within a lushly described sensory landscape that invites readers to contemplate the essence of existence itself. Walter Pater, a prominent figure of the Victorian literary scene and an influential critic, was known for his advocacy of art for art’s sake. His own struggles with the conventions of society and a deep-seated appreciation for beauty and culture undoubtedly informed the philosophical underpinnings of Marius’s journey. Pater’s extensive engagements with classical literature and philosophy are woven throughout the text, reflecting his fascination with the Epicurean ideals that permeated his academic and personal pursuits. For readers seeking a profound exploration of human experience and the quest for meaning against the backdrop of a fading empire, ‘Marius the Epicurean’ serves as both a philosophical treatise and an exquisite literary work. Pater’s eloquence and mastery make this novel an essential addition to the library of those interested in aesthetics, philosophy, or the intricacies of the human condition.
A propos de l’auteur
Walter Pater, born on 4th August 1839, was an influential figure in the 19th-century literary and art circles, renowned for his eloquent prose and the promotion of ‘art for art’s sake’. Pater, a scholar at the University of Oxford, whose studies largely focused on the Renaissance, is best known for his essays and philosophical inquiries into aesthetics, which were pivotal in the development of Aestheticism in Britain. His seminal work, ‘Studies in the History of the Renaissance’ (1873), reissued as ‘The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry’, brought him initial fame, introducing the concept of aesthetic experience as an end in itself and advocating a philosophy of life that sought beauty and pleasure above all else. Pater extended his aesthetic philosophy in the novel ‘Marius the Epicurean’, his most ambitious literary effort. This fictional work, published in a complete two-volume edition, examines the spiritual and intellectual crises of the eponymous protagonist, a young Roman man, set against the backdrop of the Antonine era. Through Marius’s contemplative existence, Pater explores themes of morality, religion, and the appreciation of art, thus intricately weaving his own aesthetic principles into the narrative. Pater’s writing is characterized by its rich, sensuous detail and a style that seeks to crystallize the subtle impressions and emotions aroused by art and life. Despite facing criticism for his ‘hedonistic’ emphasis on aesthetic experience, his profound influence on the literature of the late Victorian era is undeniable, particularly on contemporaries like Oscar Wilde. Walter Pater passed away on 30th July 1894, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be celebrated for its articulation of the aesthetic movement’s ideals.
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