Summary
In the stillness of midnight, Manfred sits alone in a Gothic gallery, contemplating the vast and turbulent expanse of his life. Though he has encountered numerous experiences, only one has left a lasting imprint on his soul. In a desperate plea, he calls upon the spirits of the universe to appear, only to be met with silence. After his repeated invocations, the third attempt finally provokes a response from the ethereal voices of seven spirits, who ominously cast a mysterious curse on Manfred's soul.
The Spirits' Invocation
The initial voice is that of the Spirit of Air, followed in succession by the spirits presiding over mountains, oceans, the earth, winds, night, and finally, Manfred's guiding star. They collectively agree to serve his commands and inquire about his desires. Manfred's request is simple yet profound: he seeks forgetfulness. Despite probing from the Spirit of Air, Manfred remains reticent about the specific memories he wishes to erase. Surely, he argues, beings that govern the elements and fate itself can grant him the oblivion he craves. However, the spirits disappointingly confess their limitations, confined to their respective spheres of influence.
A Haunting Vision
Thwarted in his quest for erasure, Manfred implores the spirits to take corporeal forms. It is the seventh spirit, his star of destiny, that transforms into a vision of a beautiful woman. Manfred, caught in the throes of past affection, reaches out in vain as she vanishes into thin air, leaving him dazed and disoriented. An enigmatic voice follows with a lengthy incantation, cursing Manfred to an existence of eternal spiritual torment.
Contemplation on the Jungfrau
The following morning finds Manfred on a solitary cliff in the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Alps, resolute in his decision to abandon any hope of supernatural assistance. Despite admiring the breathtaking beauty of the natural world around him, he is acutely aware of his separation from it. As he ponders the virtues of life versus death, a chamois hunter discreetly approaches and prevents his descent into the abyss. Together, they navigate the treacherous path downward.
An Offer of Sanctuary
Once inside his dwelling, the hunter encourages Manfred to rest before continuing his journey. Manfred, however, refuses any counsel, asserting his determination to proceed alone. When offered wine, Manfred reacts with horror, perceiving it as blood—a stark transformation that turns an act of communion into a symbol of guilt. The hunter, mistaking Manfred's demeanor for madness, suggests solace in reflection and religion. Manfred, however, rebuffs the idea, lamenting that madness would mean being tormented by illusions rather than the harsh truths that now consume him. Although he envies the simplicity of the hunter's life, Manfred insists that his own suffering is incomparable, which prompts the hunter to admire his tenderness and doubt the presence of evil within him. Manfred departs, asserting that the true evil lies not within himself but in his actions towards those he loved.
Encounter with the Witch of the Alps
Again amidst the Alpin scenery, Manfred calls upon the Witch of the Alps to appreciate the stunning nature alongside him. He recounts his former spiritual pursuits, where he chose solitude and delved into ancient secrets, eventually loving and destroying a woman who mirrored himself. The witch offers her aid in exchange for his obedience, but Manfred, ever independent, declines her proposal, leading to her departure.
The Festival of the Destinies
The narrative shifts to a grand festival attended by the three Destinies and Nemesis in the Hall of Arimanes, the embodiment of evil and ruler of earth and sky. Manfred, unafraid, is recognized as a sorcerer and boldly seeks out...
(This entire section contains 794 words.)
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Astarte, a symbol of his past sins. When she is called forth from her grave, Manfred pleads for forgiveness. Her cryptic response hints that his despair will conclude with the coming day.
A Final Confrontation
Back within the confines of his castle, a serene calm envelops Manfred. The abbot of St. Maurice arrives, intent on saving Manfred's soul from the rumors of witchcraft that precede him. Manfred, however, grimly maintains that his transgressions are a matter between himself and the heavens. The abbot entreats him to seek solace in faith, to which Manfred retorts that he has always been and will remain alone. The abbot laments his inability to aid such a noble figure.
Manfred's Defiance and Demise
As his servants whisper about their master's bizarre behavior, Manfred stands solitary in his tower. The abbot makes one final, futile attempt to rescue Manfred, who is forewarned of an impending spirit's arrival. Defying the specter’s summons, Manfred boldly asserts his readiness to face death, yet refuses to join the spirits of the netherworld, to whom he owes nothing. The demon vanishes, and Manfred succumbs to death, remaining undefeated by all except mortality itself.