Figures of Earth · Chapter
Part III: The Book of Cast Accounts explained
Manuel reflects on the nature of love and misery, asserting that love is not a matter of human choice but a divine imposition, and that true affection is as immovable as the stone Abiston.
What happens
Manuel reflects on the nature of love and misery, asserting that love is not a matter of human choice but a divine imposition, and that true affection is as immovable as the stone Abiston.
Themes in this chapter
The Inevitability of Misery
Manuel directly addresses Misery, acknowledging its presence and the futility of trying to escape it.
Love and Disillusionment
Manuel speaks of love as a divine force beyond human control, hinting at the disillusionment that comes with recognizing its immutable nature.
Characters to notice
- Dom Manuel
Manuel speaks to Misery, declaring the divine and unchangeable nature of his love.
- The Head of Misery
Misery is addressed by Manuel in this philosophical exchange.
Key passages
“Consider, faire Miserie, (quoth Manuel) that it lyes not in mans power to place his loue where he list, being the worke of an high Deity.”
Manuel tells Misery that humans cannot choose where to direct their love, as it is the work of a higher power.
Manuel asserts the divine origin of love, removing it from human agency.
“A Birde was neuer seen in Pontus , nor true loue in a fleeting mynde: neuer shall remoue the affection of my Hearte, which in nature resembleth the stone Abiston .”
Just as a certain bird is never found in Pontus, true love is never found in a fickle mind; Manuel's heart is as unchanging as the legendary stone Abiston.
Manuel uses natural and mythical comparisons to emphasize the constancy of his love.