Below the surface lies Inferno

All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril.  

I was drawn to this aphorism for many reasons. The way it is so profound and really makes you think about how many different meanings one piece of art can have. From the viewers’ first glance all the way to the artist’s true intentions, there are countless ways of interpreting what art can mean. The second half of this aphorism can be true in some cases. Sometimes ignorance is bliss and not knowing a piece of art’s real meaning can be better than finding out what the artist intended.  

This statement from Wilde reminds me of one of my favorite singers, Hozier. Much of his music, while being so good, carries deeper meanings that many listeners may not fully grasp on their first listen. His intricate lyrics are so captivating when you start to understand what his songs are talking about. 

One song that this aphorism really reminded me of is Francesca from his most recent album Unreal Unearth. On the surface, this is an intense love ballad. While starting off slow and very lyrical, it builds up to a very powerful rock-like chorus. The song continues to build up and the ending is almost overwhelming. The vocals and the drums really stand out in this song making it like some sort of anthem. You can hear the pain and frustration in his voice.  

Below the surface of this song is a tragic love story about Francesca da Rimini and Paolo from Dante’s Inferno, a 13th century poem that depicts the nine circles of hell. This song talks about the second level of hell, lust. In this specific story, Francesca and Paolo commit adultery, are murdered, then condemned to the second circle of hell. The song is from the perspectives of both Paolo and Francesca, saying they would do it all again and they do not regret their actions.  

These lyrics from Paolo’s perspective, “I’ll tell them put me back in it, darling, I would do it again,” emphasize how he does not regret anything and is happy to be burning in hell if it means he gets to be with Francesca forever.  It is a powerful declaration of his devotion to Francesca. He would relive their tragic fate just to experience the love they had again.  

The final lyrics of the song, “Heaven is not fit to house a love like you and I,” reinforce how this lustful relationship has been all consuming. He goes so far as to say their love was so remarkable, Heaven would not be able to withstand how powerful it is.  

Relating back to the aphorism, this song could mean so many different things depending on how the listener interprets the lyrics. The song is very moving and passionate on the surface but underneath it has a darker meaning. While the story is very romantic, it’s also tragic, illustrating a perilous journey driven by intense and doomed love.