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Description: A philosophical dialogue about love, where various characters speak on the nature of love (Eros) and its relationship to beauty, immortality, and the human soul. Why Chosen: Plato’s exploration of love in Symposium sets the stage for how Western philosophy would later view love—not only as a physical desire but as a path to the divine. The connection between love and immortality fits into the broader theme of death as transcending the physical. -
Description: A tragic drama by Shakespeare focusing on the love story of two youths from the families that hate each other and their love that eventually results in their deaths. Why Chosen: Love and death are probably most famously shown to be closely related in this story by Romeo and Juliet. Their love is concluded with a tragic ending, thus, it is an ideal depiction of the struggle between these two powers. -
https://youtu.be/fzyO3fLV5O0?si=-hhOvbTUKzs_zb3J
Description: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 finale is a vibrant, ecstatic homage to universal human solidarity and optimism, marked by the praiseworthy "Ode to Joy." Why Chosen: In a striking contrast to dark themes of death, Beethoven conveys through Symphony No. 9 a triumphant message of love and endurance, thereby demonstrating how art is an expression of mankind's power to transcend pain. -
Description: An artwork showing the Assyrian king Sardanapalus ordering his own death and the burning of his palace. Why Chosen: Delacroix’s The Death of Sardanapalus is striking for its intense drama and its message about how destructive passion can be. -
Description: A highly detailed and gold-leafed painting depicting a couple in a passionate embrace, symbolizing the beauty of love. Why Chosen: Klimt’s The Kiss epitomizes romantic love in art. The sensuality of the piece emphasizes the beauty of love while subtly referencing the fleeting nature of human existence, especially in light of the impending death of an era. -
Description: Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural designs, particularly his concept of organic architecture, emphasize harmony with nature and the interconnection of life and death.
Why Chosen: Wright’s work, especially in buildings like the Fallingwater, reflects a deep understanding of human life in relation to the natural world, symbolizing the cycle of life and death in architecture. -
Description: A global conflict that dramatically altered the world, influencing art, philosophy, literature, and politics. The immense loss of life also shaped attitudes toward death and its relationship to human existence.
Why Chosen: The brutal reality of death during the Great War stands in stark contrast to the romanticized notion of love, demonstrating how historical events deeply influence our understanding of life, love, and death. -
Description: A novel about the tragic pursuit of unattainable love, the moral decay of society, and the inevitable downfall of a man obsessed with recreating the past. Why Chosen: Gatsby’s tragic end, in pursuit of an idealized version of love, serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of unrequited love and the inevitability of death. -
Description: A famous photograph taken during the Great Depression depicting a mother with her children, encapsulating hardship, survival, and the looming threat of death.
Why Chosen: Lange’s photograph serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles of love and survival in times of hardship, symbolizing death not only as physical but also as the death of hope and security during the Great Depression. -
Description: A self-portrait by Kahlo showing two versions of herself—one dressed in European attire and the other in traditional Mexican dress—connected by a shared heart. Why Chosen: Kahlo’s work reflects the emotional and physical pain of love and loss. The heart as a central motif symbolizes emotional death and the complex relationship between personal suffering and love. -
Description: The poignant and tragic writings of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis during World War II, whose hope for a future is contrasted with the death surrounding her.
Why Chosen: Anne Frank’s diary presents the intersection of innocent love for life and the death of millions during the Holocaust, making it a deeply emotional testament to human resilience in the face of death. -
Description: A film about a knight returning from the Crusades who confronts Death personified in the form of a chess-playing figure. Why Chosen: This film directly addresses the theme of love and death, exploring existential questions through the knight’s attempts to find meaning and redemption, with death always lurking in the background. -
Description: A famous work by Warhol that combines repetition of Marilyn Monroe’s image with a stark contrast of vibrant colors and the image of her in black and white, hinting at her tragic death.
Why Chosen: Warhol’s portrayal of Marilyn Monroe blends the superficial glamour of celebrity with the inevitable death that comes with fame, making it a reflection on the fragility of life and the celebrity culture. -
https://youtu.be/wXTJBr9tt8Q?si=pmGK7-_gHsc3QuOZ
Description: A melancholic song about loss and regret, symbolizing the passage of time and the inevitable loss of love.
Why Chosen: Yesterday is a reflection on love’s impermanence, capturing a feeling of loss that is both personal and universal. Its melancholic tone makes it a perfect example of how love and death are woven together in music. -
Description: A film about family loyalty, the corrupting nature of power, and the intertwining of love and violence.
Why Chosen: The Godfather explores how love within a family can lead to violence and death, particularly through the character of Michael Corleone, who is forced to reconcile his love for his family with the brutal consequences of his actions.