“To weep is to make less the depth of grief” Address to Graduating Class of Bennington College, 1970/Clowes Hall
October 4, 2011 by Jess
The first reading of Vonnegut’s speeches is an address to a graduating class. As I was reading this and came across a quote from his favorite Shakespearean work, everything he said before and after was then put into perspective for me. “To weep is to make less the depth of grief.” I believe this quote 100%. When in grief, weeping and mourning definitely lessens the depth of the grief.
I saw this quote and even though it may seem like an optimistic quote, Vonnegut somehow sees it in a different perspective. He once was an optimist, but then wars began and as he talks about gas chambers, he then says his view turned to pessimism. Even though he criticizes the military he was part of the military and proud of his rank, as said in the second reading.
Vonnegut changed his perspective based on life experiences and how optimism and pessimism can not only work against each other but with as well. There’s beauty in that.