Schadenfreude
Literature has acted as an outlet to the international populace; by supplying us with comfort, entertainment, and warnings, various works of literature has, in fact, shaped us; two tales in particular, The Thousand and One Nights and Marie de France will be used as the examined texts. Many genres exist in the composition life-style, the most popular categories being: Drama, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Tragedy, and Tragicomedy. However, none is more famous and satisfying as a well written tragedy. Despite the civil population, it is human nature to be amused, or even entertained, by one’s misfortune. Keeping this in mind, one cannot help but ask why suffering is such an influential factor in world literature. Examining the two respected works, it becomes apparent just how strong the need is to take pleasure in the misfortune of others; or in German translation, schadenfreude.
Starting with the ninth century tale The Thousand and One Nights, it tells the story of two brothers: King Shahrayar and King Shahzaman who both suffer from broken hearts. The younger of the two, King Shahzaman, was the first to discover his misfortune and slipped into a deep depression. Having been invited for a visit to his brother’s domain, he became uncharacteristically happy. Upon an unyielding interrogation, due to his sudden enlightenment, Shahzaman answered his brother’s query thus, “When I saw your own misfortune, I felt better… and as a result, I forgot my care and sorrow, relaxed, and began to eat and drink. This is the cause of my cheer and good spirits.” So, “as a result” of his own brother’s misfortune that was greater than his own, Shahzaman forgot his “care and sorrow,” feeling comforted in the fact that someone suffers worse than him. What does this say about the human race? If gaining pleasure from one’s misfortune is natural, how can anyone person point an accusing finger and call it inhumane? Soon after being told of his wife’s...