The Triumph of Death

"The Triumph of Death" by Gabriele D'Annunzio is a novel written in the late 19th century. This work explores themes of love, despair, and the existential anxiety that accompanies human relationships. The narrative centers on the tumultuous relationship between the main characters, George and Hippolyte, as they grapple with their affection, jealousy, and fears of betrayal against the backdrop of life's transient nature. The opening of "The Triumph of Death" introduces readers to a dramatic scene where George and Hippolyte encounter onlookers at a suicide scene, setting a tone of melancholy and introspection. As they leave, their conversation reveals the complexities of their romantic relationship, punctuated by suspicions, fears of emotional distance, and a palpable tension. The setting shifts between their reflections on love to George's internal struggles with jealousy and existential dread. This opening effectively establishes the emotional depth and psychological richness of the characters while foreshadowing the themes of mortality and the burden of passionate love that will permeate the ensuing narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

General Gabriele D'Annunzio, Prince of Montenevoso, sometimes written d'Annunzio as he used to sign himself, was an Italian poet, playwright, orator, journalist, aristocrat, and Royal Italian Army officer during World War I. He occupied a prominent place in Italian literature from 1889 to 1910 and in its political life from 1914 to 1924. He was often referred to by the epithets il Vate and il Profeta.