He thought her more beautiful than ever, with a beauty that was at once feminine and angelic, that wholeness of beauty that had moved Petrarch to song and brought Dante to his knees.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," the protagonist experiences a profound admiration for a woman whose beauty captivates him completely. He perceives her as embodying a blend of femininity and angelic grace, which evokes admiration akin to that felt by legendary poets like Petrarch and Dante. This description suggests a timeless and transcendent quality to her beauty, elevating it to a status that transforms the beholder's experience into one of reverence.
The emotional impact of her beauty is not merely physical; it represents a deeper, almost spiritual allure. Her wholeness of beauty resonates with the ideals celebrated in classical literature, reflecting a connection between art and profound love. This moment captures the essence of romantic admiration, illustrating how beauty can inspire creativity and deep feelings in those who behold it.
