The Semantics of Love

This chapter argues that Cocteau’s insistence on “proof of love” is not a submission to cold rationalism but his way of bringing order to chaos. The feelings of love he lends to the characters inside his creations may not have an existence in the real world, but they illuminate the experiences we as human beings have in our lives. Cocteau confronts a modern apathy towards the metaphysical and transcendental basis of love, even if he is open to challenging the unity and coherence of the language used to describe the phenomenon. He shows us that love, if it is to be meaningful, depends upon an allegiance to truth and a recognition of others. One must put under control the ravaging inner self, and rid oneself of deceit and lies, so that one can act in a manner that demonstrably benefits both the lover and the person he or she loves. The poet puts into words what it means to be in love, and the feelings associated with it, but does not make the mistake of thinking that verbal declarations or affirmations of love can, on their own, sustain the weight of the meaning behind them.