Love seeketh not itself to please, Nor for itself hath any care But for another gives its ease And builds a heaven in hell's despair Love seeketh only self to please, To bind another to its delight, Joys in another's loss of ease, And builds a hell in heaven's despite. -W. Blake: Songs of Experience
The quote by W. Blake contrasts two forms of love: selfless and selfish. The first type seeks to please others and create joy, even in difficult circumstances. It emphasizes the idea that true love finds fulfillment in the happiness and comfort of others, while the second type focuses on self-interest, gaining pleasure at the expense of others, and even thrives on their suffering. Thus, it builds an emotional hell despite being in favorable situations.
This dichotomy of love is explored in George Eliot's "Middlemarch," where complex characters navigate their relationships and motivations. The book delves into how love can manifest positively or negatively, affecting the lives of individuals and their communities. Through this exploration, Eliot invites readers to examine the nature of their own relationships and reflect on the true essence of love.
