The thought and expression of “El cristo de velazquez” in relation to “del sentimiento tragico de la vida”

Abstract

In this thesis I show that in the poem Unamune exhibits two tendencies. Besides the tranquil moments of the poem, there are many expressions of anxiety. In this anxiety can be seen certain links between this work and Del sentimlento tragico de la vids. At times Unamuno finds peace and religious hope in the contemplation of the white body of Christ and the light shining from it. At other times, describing Christ's black hair and the darkness surrounding him. Unamuno shows anxiety about the apparentiality of the World, the nature of God and the possibility of a death in which we would be unconscious. In Chapter One I give an outline of Del sentimiento tragico and show where its thought is echoed in El Cristo de Belazquez. The rest of the thesis concentrates on Unamuno’s use of white, black, light and darkness to express his religious hopes and anxieties. Chapter two describes how Unarauno’s recognition of the apparentiality of the world arouses in him the need to believe that the light from Christ gives purpose to life by promising eternal consciousness. Chapter three is a discussion of the mystic heights in the poem. Chapter Four discusses Unamuno’s reaction to the darkness and shows that the happiness of the mystic heights is frequently shattered by anxiety.