In Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," a conversation unfolds between two characters, revealing the complexities of strength and love. One character questions why the other does not exert their strength in their relationship, indicating a desire for support or protection. This moment highlights a juxtaposition between power and vulnerability in intimate connections.
Franz's response is profound; he explains that true love involves the renunciation of strength. Love, in his view, is not about dominance or control but rather about tenderness and self-restraint. This exchange emphasizes how love requires compromises, where sometimes the strongest act of devotion is to forego power, demonstrating a deeper understanding of connection and empathy.