Reflections on The Ascent of Mount Ventoux
Petrarch’s literary work, The Ascent of Mount Ventoux, details his journey of reaching the highest peak of the region that for so long had occupied his thoughts. However, as the narration progresses, one realizes that the author’s need to be on a higher plane in order to have a better view of his surroundings is, in actuality, a symbolism of a deeper need of men to reach a higher plateau of spiritual consciousness in order to view his corporeal and spiritual weaknesses that are innate in his persona. Petrarch, through this literary work, then, poses an introspection into the dilemma of the human soul, “that men go about to wonder at the heights of the mountain, the mighty waves of the sea…but themselves they consider not” (Halsall, 1998, p. 1).
Petrarch’s need of reaching the apex of the mountain, then, demonstrates his own spiritual need of being a step closer to God. He came into a realization that his former journeys on the physical world, although had been most important for him then, is truly infinitely-miniscule compared to the journey that a person ought to embark on—one which concerns itself with his spirit and its relationship with his God. If a person is to mature, both in spirit and in faith, then, it is important for him to climb his own mountain, view the real person he truly is, minus the pride and the deception that are innate to him, and marvel at the divine magnificence of the Creator.
Petrarch’s The Ascent of Mount Ventoux had been able to clearly express without error, the essential need of the human soul to seek for an affirmation of his importance in his relationship with God. For Petrarch as well as for all of us, this will result in an awakening where one will realize that his undertakings here on earth is really immaterial; that what matters most is to free himself from his own shackles and view his spirituality from a higher plateau where he is able to accept his life’s follies and follow the will of his Creator.
Petrarch’s need of reaching the apex of the mountain, then, demonstrates his own spiritual need of being a step closer to God. He came into a realization that his former journeys on the physical world, although had been most important for him then, is truly infinitely-miniscule compared to the journey that a person ought to embark on—one which concerns itself with his spirit and its relationship with his God. If a person is to mature, both in spirit and in faith, then, it is important for him to climb his own mountain, view the real person he truly is, minus the pride and the deception that are innate to him, and marvel at the divine magnificence of the Creator.
Petrarch’s The Ascent of Mount Ventoux had been able to clearly express without error, the essential need of the human soul to seek for an affirmation of his importance in his relationship with God. For Petrarch as well as for all of us, this will result in an awakening where one will realize that his undertakings here on earth is really immaterial; that what matters most is to free himself from his own shackles and view his spirituality from a higher plateau where he is able to accept his life’s follies and follow the will of his Creator.
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