Men, like planets, have both a visible and an invisible history. The astronomer threads the darkness with strict deduction, accounting so for every visible arc in the wanderer's orbit; and the narrator of human actions, if he did his work with the same completeness, would have to thread the hidden pathways of feeling and thought which lead up to every moment of action, and to those moments of intense suffering which take the quality of action--like the cry of Prometheus, whose chained anguish seems a greater energy than the sea and sky he invokes and the deity he defies.
The quote reflects the complexity of understanding human behavior by comparing men to planets, suggesting that just as celestial bodies have both observable paths and hidden histories, people possess visible actions alongside a deeper, often concealed emotional and psychological backdrop. An astronomer can meticulously map the visible patterns of a planet's orbit, but a narrator must delve into the unseen thoughts and feelings that influence a person's actions, requiring a comprehensive approach to truly grasp their motivations.
Eliot emphasizes the importance of examining not only the overt actions of individuals but also the intense internal struggles that foster those actions. The mention of Prometheus highlights this idea, illustrating how profound suffering can amplify one's capacity for action, thereby challenging the norms of existence and defiance. By calling for a more nuanced understanding of humanity, the quote suggests that every action is deeply rooted in a complex web of emotions and experiences that deserve thoughtful exploration.
