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Imported Poems

Me, Madness and Malaise

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by
Countess
, 11-26-2007 at 01:32 PM (1373 Views)
Do I feel guilty that I've only been on here long enough to post my stuff? Yes. That's why I don't even visit when I've no time, cos I hate feeling like a self-centered bastard.

Nevertheless, today is an exception. I took 2 hours (on and off) writing these opening paragraphs for my paper. It feels akin to pulling teeth - pulling words to be succinct when, in fact, I have so much to say I could ramble on for 2 pages regarding my "thoughts on madness, genius and creativity".

ANYHOW - please help?

Poke holes, please, in the following, or add suggestions. Are the paragraphs reflective of the title or not? I could title it "A Tale of Two Men" - a rip off of Shakey - is that right? I forget. I'll stop now:

"The Celebrity of Madness in the life / works of Byron and Wilde":

The coeval of madness with genius, although not scientifically verified, has nevertheless been established if only through historical reoccurrence, and has been the topic of much speculation since the days of Aristotle, who noted “La., Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementia” (There is no genius without a touch of madness”. (1) Whether creativity, defined as “conception outside established boundaries”, is a natural byproduct of insanity, defined as “thoughts and behavior outside established parameters” is up to debate, but if any provide proof of this relationship, it is Byron and Wilde, both of whom demonstrated sufficient symptoms of mental illness and who, consequently if not ironically, became cynosures of society as much for their resulting personal vices as for their artistic virtues.

Born only 30 years after Byron’s death in 1824, Wilde appeared to be the second incarnation of the “mad, bad“ poet, manifesting both in artistic sentiment and lifestyle all of Byron‘s eccentricities, but there were key differences. Wilde’s perpetual grandiosity and stability of mood are suggestive of the Axis II, Cluster B Narcissistic Personality Disorder while Byron, noted for his cyclical temperament coupled with alternating rages and depressions, suffered from Axis I Bipolar Disorder. Despite their varying madness, however, both became celebrities due to their culte du soi-même, which was reflected both in their lives and their work, and both experienced consequential downfalls, living their later years in self-imposed exile from England before dying at an early age.
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Comments

  1. applepie's Avatar
    First, I think it is an exceptional opening. I know exactly where you are going, and the title fits fine to me. All I ask is that you take this with a grain of salt since I'm not an english major, and it has been about two years since taking a class. Good luck to you Countess, but it seems you are off to a good start.
  2. B-Mental's Avatar
    Ok, the word coeval sticks out to me...co·e·val
    –adjective 1. of the same age, date, or duration; equally old: Analysis has proved that this manuscript is coeval with that one.
    2. coincident: Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were only approximately coeval.
    –noun 3. a contemporary: He is more serious than his coevals.....It seems like you want to say the association....Then I see you putting phrases into quotations, but see no annotation for their origin. I think you write very well, and if you can get past my objection to "coeval" you have the start of a very good paper.
  3. kiz_paws's Avatar
    The 'rip-off' title would be a take on Dickens, if I may correct you, Countess. But anyhow, this is not what you ask. It would appear that just perusing your first two paragraphs is not enough from which to say much. But, I would tend to lean to Meg's sentiment that you are off to a good start. I am hoping that you will post more as the paper starts to fill out. Cheers, Countess. [p.s. you are not self-centered -- such requests are part and parcel of a site like this. Now get writing!]
  4. mtpspur's Avatar
    I had to read this puppy twice and if I knew French the culte du soi-meme would be more meaningful to me. However I also am aware that this paper is meant for readers of a more sophisticated breed then this humble scanner of words. B-Mental caught the coeval which to be honest went right past me but I had the sense it was along the lines of association. I was thinking essense in place of coeval myself.

    Unlike mkhockenberry I don't know where you are going with this. At second reading I get the impression you are looking at two gentlemen on an evolving plane of existenace and watching the growth of an infant terrible types if I may. (Personally I was hoping for a compare/contrast article as I know little of Byron and just a bit of misinformation of Wilde.

    Best to you and very much hoping your hard work pays off.
  5. B-Mental's Avatar
    I had another thought about the topic...you go into advanced diagnosis, or speculation on the different personalities (some would say disorders). I don't know if you can/should refer to these in so technical a manner unless you further explore and establish a basis for this. Just an opinion. I don't know the limits of the assignment, so it may be difficult to correctly aide you.
  6. andave_ya's Avatar
    hee hee, and to think I wait anxiously for Countess' next words of wisdom...even if it takes me a couple of days to think up a reply.
    I love the big words, though I don't know enough of the subject to give any constructive criticism. The Axis disorder explanations were good; I wouldn't have any clue what you were talking about otherwise. And I love the Latin. . Cheers.