"Berenice" is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe that delves into themes of obsession and madness. The narrative is delivered from the perspective of Egaeus, a man deeply troubled by his family's history of mental illness. His cousin Berenice, whom he has loved since childhood, suffers from a mysterious ailment that leads her to become aloof and unrecognizable over time. Egaeus grapples with his feelings of attachment towards her, which transform into an obsession that drives him to the brink of insanity.
The story takes a darker turn as Egaeus becomes fixated on Berenice's teeth, which he views as symbols of her beauty and vitality. As her health declines, he becomes increasingly disturbed by the prospect of losing her. His obsession culminates in a horrifying climax where he ultimately succumbs to madness, leading him to commit an unthinkable act. The unsettling nature of his fixation reflects Poe’s exploration of the complexities of love and the fine line between admiration and obsession.