‘Without Eros there is no creation.’ The Representation of the Figure of Eros in the Works of Sándor Márai

Abstract

This research aims at interpreting certain works of Sándor Márai with a mythological and philosophical approach, through the analysis of the appearance of Eros. The analysis focuses on three novels – Peace in Ithaca, Embers, The Sister – alluding to the contents of the author’s Diaries and works of short prose. The main viewpoints for the analysis of the representations of Eros are provided by reviewing the ancient philosophical traditions concerning Eros, Plato’s philosophy of love and Freud's theory on mythological components.