The consolation of Philosophy
‘The Consolation of Philosophy’ is a classical work of philosophy by Boethius. The work of literature takes a prosimetric form where the text alternates in segments of prose and verse. The work contains five books, and it is based on the conversation of Boethius and an imaginary Lady of Philosophy. Boethius is in prison awaiting his execution, and in his sorrow, he is writing a poem of his misery. The imaginary Lady Philosophy appears to him, and they strike a conversation about the reality of worldly fortunes. Lady Philosophy takes Boethius through the different gifts of Fortune to enlighten him on the true meaning of happiness. In book II of ‘The Consolation of Philosophy’, Philosophy explains to Boethius the good gifts of Fortune that he has already enjoyed and the temporality of the gifts. By the end of book II, Boethius understands that Fortune is good and bad; and that bad Fortune can eventually turn out to be good. There are valuable lessons from the conversation between Boethius and Lady Philosophy.
Boethius is distressed by his current misfortune. After listening to the woes that befell Boethius, Lady Philosophy says that she has fully diagnosed the cause of illness; Boethius is still regretfully longhttps://sharksavewriters.com/the-strategies-put-in-place-by-a-fortune-500-company-to-maintain-its-operations/ing for his former good Fortune (3). The loss of his previous good Fortune has corrupted his mind, and he is trapped in his former prestigious status. At this point, Lady Philosophy starts to explain to Boethius how Fortune works.
Good Fortune is seductive and blinding. Lady Philosophy likens the nature of Fortune to that of Sirens. Sirens use their fatal charm to lure and pretend to entrap their victims. In the same manner, Fortune uses gifts to attract people and trap them. Soon, Fortune unexpectedly abandons her victims and leaves them overwhelmed in desolation (47). The gifts of Fortune act as a blindfold that prevents the victims of Fortune from understanding her real nature. Boethius had been a victim of Fortune. In his life, Boethius had enjoyed wealth, fame, power and honour. However, all the gifts had been stripped away, and he was awaiting his execution. True to Lady Philosophy, Fortune had seduced Boethius, blinded him and later abandoned him.
The gifts of Fortune are temporal. Lady Philosophy points out that the gifts brought by Fortunes are a loan, which means that one cannot claim ownership over them. The “wheel of fortune” is a symbol used in the text to symbolize the temporality of Fortune. There are times in life where one enjoys good Fortune. The time of good Fortune is when one is at the top part of the wheel. Similarly, there are times when one faces bad Fortune (the loss of good Fortune). Bad Fortune is represented by the lower part of the wheel of Fortune. Just like a while goes up and down, Fortune also changes and one cannot permanently enjoy the gifts of Fortune (55). Lady Philosophy explains to Boethius that in the same way, he enjoyed the gifts of Fortune, he must suffer bad Fortune.
The gifts of Fortune are not valuable. Lady Philosophy reminds Boethius he came into the world without the gifts of nature and he will leave without them. Therefore, one should not become too attached to unimportant things. Lady Philosophy gives an example of wealth. She tells Boethius that the power of wealth does not belong to anyone; instead, it is the function of wealth. Furthermore, if wealth was significant or belonged to anyone, people could be born with wealth and die with it. However, since the gifts of nature are unimportant, one should remain unattached.
The only real possessions of man are intellectual inquiry and soul (82). The belongings are internal blessings, and they cannot be taken away. Intellectual inquiry helps a person acquire knowledge and wisdom from the world. Intellectual intelligence is a permanent possession that cannot be taken away even when one dies. Therefore, a man should focus on growing their intellect than acquiring worldly possessions that are temporal and unimportant. The soul, on the other hand, is immortal. The soul, therefore, possesses undying characteristics and cannot be satisfied by earthly possessions that end when one dies. Thus, the focus of any person should be to enrich their intellect as well as their soul; their only real and permanent possessions.
Lady Philosophy tells Boethius that bad Fortune can enlighten. It is through bad Fortune that one discovers their actual ability as well as real friends. It is when one faces misfortune that they find out their real friends. Also, one grows wider as they understand the dynamic order of the world. Besides, when one is surrounded by wealth and all the gifts of Fortune, they become comfortable and fail to enrich their intellect and soul (85). Therefore, both good and bad Fortune is essential in the life of a person.
One does not ask for good or bad Fortune. Boethius complains to Lady Philosophy that he did not ask for the gifts of Fortune. Instead, it was fate, and he should not be punished for it. However, Lady Philosophy tells him to gain intellect from his bad Fortune, in the same manner, he enjoyed good Fortune.
In conclusion, worldly possessions are temporal and unimportant. From the dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy, intellect and one’s soul are the only actual possessions that man has. Just like one enjoys the gifts of Fortune, one should learn from their misfortune and grow wiser.
Work Cited
The Consolation of Philosophy of Boethius. Translated into English Prose and Verse by H.R. James, M.A., Ch. Ch. Oxford Boethius et al. – Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row – 1897 http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14328/14328-h/14328-h.htm