The Ship of Fools
is the title of my favorite novel by Katherine Ann Porter and it is also the title of the painting by 15th century artist Hieronymus Bosch.
"In The Ship of Fools, Bosch is imagining that the whole of mankind is voyaging through the seas of time on a ship, a small ship, that is representative of humanity. Sadly, every one of the representatives is a fool.
This is how we live, says Bosch--we eat, drink, flirt, cheat, play silly games, pursue unattainable objectives. Meanwhile our ship drifts aimlessly and we never reach the harbor. The fools are not the irreligious, since prominent among them are a monk and a nun, but they are all those who live ``in stupidity''. Bosch laughs, and it is sad laugh.
Which one of us does not sail in the wretched discomfort of the ship of human folly? Eccentric and secret genius that he was, Bosch not only moved the heart but scandalized it into full awareness. The sinister and monstrous things that he brought forth are the hidden creatures of our inward self-love: he externalizes the ugliness within, and so his misshapen demons have an effect beyond curiosity. We feel a hateful kinship with them. The Ship of Fools is not about other people, it is about us."
This is how we live, says Bosch--we eat, drink, flirt, cheat, play silly games, pursue unattainable objectives. Meanwhile our ship drifts aimlessly and we never reach the harbor. The fools are not the irreligious, since prominent among them are a monk and a nun, but they are all those who live ``in stupidity''. Bosch laughs, and it is sad laugh.
Which one of us does not sail in the wretched discomfort of the ship of human folly? Eccentric and secret genius that he was, Bosch not only moved the heart but scandalized it into full awareness. The sinister and monstrous things that he brought forth are the hidden creatures of our inward self-love: he externalizes the ugliness within, and so his misshapen demons have an effect beyond curiosity. We feel a hateful kinship with them. The Ship of Fools is not about other people, it is about us."
Labels: Hieronymus Bosch, Katherine Ann Porter, The Ship of Fools
posted by KNIGHT OF THE STORMS at 7:25 PM
1 Comments:
bosch reminded me on spiritual death that represented separation of the spirit from God. although technological progress, important science breakthrough, and expand of consciousness in general, supposed to changed our lifes for better, we are still witnesses of human stupidity followed by lack of sympathy. we conquest other people homes, bring them war, starvation and all sort of desises and death. during the 20th century, an estimated 70 million people died from famines across the world. white, red, black and pale green horses and their riders have existed throughout history and still they do. not only spread around the globe as a result of global politics but also as a part of our inner selfe, our violent nature. bosch reminded me on personal demons that must be defeated in order to overcome ourselves. one of the greatest battle in life is one with ourself. by winning this battle, we give purpose to our lifes.
thanks for sharing. i really enjoyed in your thoughts.
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