Boring.

Scattered.

Slippery.

Pretentious. These are the words that come to mind when one reads Paz's style, at least in translation. It is a style that is dense, yet somehow empty. The words seem to pile up on top of each other, creating a kind of fog that obscures rather than clarifies.

There is no real substance to the writing, no depth or meaning that lingers in the mind. It is all surface, all show. And yet, Paz is often held up as a great writer, a master of language. But is he really?

In my opinion, his style is just not good writing. It lacks the clarity, the precision, the beauty that we expect from great literature. It is a style that may impress at first glance, but that quickly wears thin upon closer inspection.

Perhaps this is a problem with the translation, and Paz's original work is truly a masterpiece. But until I can read it in the original language, I remain skeptical.

Platonic love and erotic love have been the subject of much exploration and analysis throughout history.

Platonic love, often associated with the philosopher Plato, is a form of love that is based on intellectual and spiritual connection rather than physical desire. It is a love that values the beauty of the soul and the sharing of ideas and ideals.

Erotic love, on the other hand, is centered around physical attraction and sexual desire. It is a passionate and intense form of love that can bring great pleasure and excitement.

Both types of love have their own unique qualities and can play important roles in our lives. A beautiful insight and poetic analysis of love can help us to better understand the nature of these different forms of love and how they interact with each other.

By exploring the themes of Platonic love and erotic love, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and richness of human relationships and the many different ways in which we experience love.

Octavio Paz's "The Double Flame" is an extensive exploration and discourse that leads readers on a comprehensive journey through the history of Western love.

Paz emphasizes the significance of Arabic culture during the so-called Dark Ages. He travels to ancient Greece, Alexandria, and Rome, documenting the rise and fall of Provençal poetry and culture in the Middle Ages. With a particular appreciation for Surrealism's focus on exclusive love, he concludes his analysis in the modern era.

He studies the philosophical and literary traditions of each period, sometimes examining specific poems in relation to eroticism and love. His survey makes it clear that the status of women in society is of great importance. As Paz states, "the history of love is inseparable from the history of the freedom of women." True love cannot exist if a culture prohibits women from actively participating in romantic relationships.

Paz is not only a cultural historian but also a literary and cultural critic. His view of modern culture is rather pessimistic. He believes that the current situation is pitiful because he feels that love cannot exist without respect for both the body and the soul. Capitalism has desecrated the body and turned it into a commercial tool, while the soul (or psyche) has been ignored or suppressed. Love is impossible if one does not have a soulful respect for the body and acknowledges the existence of the soul, which is what makes each person unique.

Paz calls for a discussion among philosophers, artists, and scientists to revive the value of love in human culture. For the reader, this perspective on Eros and its past is both entertaining and educational.

Paz explora la sexualidad, el amor cortés y la condición erótica como nadie lo hace.

He delves into these complex and often-taboo subjects with a rare combination of literary and poetic finesse.

His works are not mere explorations but rather profound examinations that offer unique insights into the human experience.

By approaching these topics from a literary and poetic perspective, Paz is able to transcend the limitations of traditional discourse and present a more nuanced and evocative understanding.

His writing is filled with vivid imagery, rich language, and a deep sense of passion that draws the reader in and compels them to engage with the ideas he presents.

Whether he is exploring the subtleties of sexual desire or the beauty and complexity of courtly love, Paz's work is always engaging, thought-provoking, and ultimately, deeply rewarding.

Essays remain a difficult genre.

The cultural baggage of the author is often much greater than that of the reader, and this does not make the reading of essays any easier or more pleasant. This is also the case with this book.

The book tells the history of erotica and love from a philosophical and literary perspective, but often makes side leaps.

Passing in review, among others: Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, Montaigne, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Sartre, Einstein, Hawkins, Ovidius, Dante, Cervantes, Flaubert, Stendhal, Balzac, Shakespeare, Musil, Proust (often Proust).

Yet not entirely convincing.

It seems that the author tries to cover too much ground in a relatively short space. While the topics are interesting, the connections between them are sometimes rather tenuous. The constant references to famous philosophers and writers can be overwhelming for the reader, especially if they are not already familiar with their works.

Perhaps a more focused approach would have been more effective. Instead of trying to include everything, the author could have chosen a few key themes and explored them in more depth. This would have allowed for a more coherent and engaging narrative.

Overall, while the book has some interesting ideas, it falls short in terms of execution. It will likely be of more interest to those with a prior knowledge of philosophy and literature, rather than the general reader.

The reading is extremely interesting! It offers a rich historical and philosophical analysis for the understanding of erotism and love throughout the thoughts and experiences of humanity.

However, my only criticism is that Paz conforms to his social role as a cisgender white man and does not promote a more empathetic analysis of the social contexts for different groups and how love and erotism unfold within their particular impositions. If he did not emphasize the political and ideological contexts, perhaps the sensitivity to the issue I pointed out would not be so lacking.

This lack of a more comprehensive and inclusive perspective limits the depth of the analysis. It would have been beneficial if Paz had explored how different social, cultural, and political factors influence the concepts and expressions of love and erotism for various groups. By doing so, a more nuanced and accurate understanding of these complex phenomena could have been achieved.

Nevertheless, despite this criticism, the article still provides valuable insights and perspectives that contribute to the ongoing discussion about love and erotism in human history and thought.

This is indeed a very poor exercise lacking in rigor, yet with very good prose. However, can one accept that the author labels Plato as a poet or asserts that Judaism does not believe in the existence of the soul with the sole intention of furthering their own agenda?

It is essential to approach such claims with a critical eye and consider the context and evidence. Labeling Plato as a poet may seem like a bold statement, but it requires a deeper understanding of his works and the nature of poetry. Similarly, the claim about Judaism and the soul is a complex one that cannot be simply dismissed or accepted without further exploration.

We should strive for a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of different philosophical and religious traditions, rather than making hasty generalizations or using them to serve our own purposes. By engaging in thoughtful dialogue and analysis, we can gain a more profound appreciation for the diversity of human thought and belief.

I really enjoyed reading this essay by Octavio Paz with a highlighter in hand.

It is full of aphorisms and beautiful phrases about love, eroticism, and sexuality and their interrelation with poetry.

A couple of times I felt it digressed into adjacent topics, but in any case, it was interesting to learn his point of view.

The author mentions countless readings, many of which I was not familiar with.

I added some to my to-do list and explored others immediately, like the poem by Theocritus, "The Sorceress," which Paz calls "the first great love poem."

One has to read the essay keeping in mind that Octavio Paz was a scholar, with an ego that strolls freely through every page of this book.

His erudition is evident, and it enriches the text, but at the same time, it can make the reading a bit challenging for those who are not as well-versed in the subject matter.

Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the intersection of love, sex, and poetry.

Overall, I would highly recommend this essay to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating read.

Octavio Paz is a remarkable writer. He delves into mythology, starting from Pan, and traverses through religions and historical processes.

He beautifully weaves together themes such as love, sexuality, and eroticism, adorning his narrative with quotations from works like Ulysses and Sappho, as well as many other literary texts.

Moreover, there is a certain charm in Tomris Uyar's translation. The book in your hands is one that you can finish in a short period of time, yet it leaves a lasting impression.

Paz's writing style is both engaging and thought-provoking, making his works a delight to read and study.

His ability to blend different elements and create a unique literary experience is truly remarkable.

Whether you are a lover of literature or simply looking for an interesting read, Octavio Paz's works are definitely worth exploring.

As far as I have seen here, the stars awarded to this book fluctuate quite objectively, I would say. And this is in accordance with each reader's taste and the expectations they have when reading the title or the reputation/experience of the author - a Nobel Prize laureate.

Honestly, compared to other books I have read, for example "Learning" or "Where the Races Are", which have been overly and undeservedly rated with many stars here, I would say that this book is worth reading. There are many things that, when said banally, have a good referral or a good substrate. The author rushes us chaotically through all of universal literature, but you can also find interesting pages, ideas or notions in the book. I will not tell or list here the content of the book, because there are many reviews of this kind.

I reproduce a few fragments below:

About love:

"It does not offer us a path to salvation, nor is it idolatry. It begins with admiration for a person, continues with enthusiasm and culminates with the passion that leads us to happiness or disaster. Love is a trial that ennobles us all, the happy and the unfortunate." page 89.

"Love is tragic; I add now that friendship is a response to tragedy." page 106.

"People are animated by their desires, ambitions and projects, but limited by the real power of their intelligence and the means at their disposal." page 170.

It serves as a guide, leading me through the remarkable history of what Paz so affectionately liked to refer to as "our share of paradise", which is none other than love. In this exploration, sex, eroticism, and love are intertwined in a complex and beautiful tapestry. Sex, like the original fire, blazes forth, raising the intense red flame of eroticism. This eroticism, in turn, gives place and nourishes the delicate and tremulous blue flame of love. Each element plays a crucial role in this journey of the heart and soul. The combination of these three aspects creates a unique and profound experience that enriches our lives and allows us to understand the true essence of love.

An interesting historical summation of love and eroticism in literature has been presented. It delves into the various ways love and eroticism have been depicted and explored throughout different literary eras. However, the sections on artificial intelligence and technology at the end seem a bit meandering and irrelevant.

Perhaps the author intended to draw some parallels or make some broader connections, but the transition feels forced. It would have been more effective if these sections were either more tightly integrated with the main theme of love and eroticism in literature or if they were omitted altogether.

Nevertheless, the overall historical summation of love and eroticism in literature is engaging and provides valuable insights into the evolution of these themes in the literary canon. It would be interesting to see how future literary works continue to explore and redefine love and eroticism in the context of an ever-changing technological landscape.