The supreme question about a work of art is out of how deep a life does it spring. Paintings of Moreau are paintings of ideas. The deepest poetry of Shelley, the words of Hamlet bring our mind into contact with the eternal wisdom; Plato's world of ideas. All the rest is the speculation of schoolboys for schoolboys.
The essence of a true work of art lies in its depth of inspiration and the richness of life it conveys. The quote emphasizes that art, like the paintings of Moreau, often serves as a medium for profound ideas and concepts. It suggests that the most meaningful creations resonate with eternal truths and wisdom, connecting us to larger philosophical themes.
This perspective elevates artistic expression beyond mere technique or superficiality, asserting that the greatest literature and art touch on timeless themes, much like the poetry of Shelley or the essence of Hamlet. Anything less, Joyce seems to argue, is merely trivial and lacks substantive value.
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