As far as Odysseus goes, yes, Dylan lived and didn't die an immaculate legend, like Achilles. And yes, home was only temporary, there is no solidity with Dylan, only constant mutability. But Sisyphus? Sisyphus is tormented, forced every day to do his pointless task. No. Dylan is invention itself. He is his own constant muse, there is no Dylan as there is a Jagger, a constant presence, musically speaking. This has nothing to do with his personal life. As a musician, there is only invention, only change. Picasso was like that, and Monet, the stable genius with a happy life, continued to paint the same way as he always had. Sisphus takes no joy in his task. Dylan's task of constant recreation is his musical life, and he takes great joy in it.
Your point about Sisyphus is of course correct with regard to the Greek myth - I didn't make it clear in the post that I was referring to Sisyphus in Albert Camus's version of the myth - where "one must imagine Sisyphus happy". Here, he sees his condition clearly, refuses consolation, and takes possession of his response.
Bob doesn't escape the stone (none of us do) but, as you say, he invents seemingly endlessly different ways to push it - and that is very rare indeed.
A very thoughtful piece. It brings to mind his quote, ""I was born very far from where I'm supposed to be, and so I'm on my way home" from his documentary, quite ironically and intentionally, I'm sure, called No Direction Home. Just keeping at it and everything will be different once he paints that masterpiece. Once...
It’s a great juxtaposition with his words in the Rolling Thunder movie … where he says “it’s about nothing…. It happened so long ago, I wasn’t even born”.
He builds and dismantles the myth at the same time. It can mean everything and it can mean nothing. Very Camusian.
As far as Odysseus goes, yes, Dylan lived and didn't die an immaculate legend, like Achilles. And yes, home was only temporary, there is no solidity with Dylan, only constant mutability. But Sisyphus? Sisyphus is tormented, forced every day to do his pointless task. No. Dylan is invention itself. He is his own constant muse, there is no Dylan as there is a Jagger, a constant presence, musically speaking. This has nothing to do with his personal life. As a musician, there is only invention, only change. Picasso was like that, and Monet, the stable genius with a happy life, continued to paint the same way as he always had. Sisphus takes no joy in his task. Dylan's task of constant recreation is his musical life, and he takes great joy in it.
Your point about Sisyphus is of course correct with regard to the Greek myth - I didn't make it clear in the post that I was referring to Sisyphus in Albert Camus's version of the myth - where "one must imagine Sisyphus happy". Here, he sees his condition clearly, refuses consolation, and takes possession of his response.
Bob doesn't escape the stone (none of us do) but, as you say, he invents seemingly endlessly different ways to push it - and that is very rare indeed.
Thank you for the push.
A very thoughtful piece. It brings to mind his quote, ""I was born very far from where I'm supposed to be, and so I'm on my way home" from his documentary, quite ironically and intentionally, I'm sure, called No Direction Home. Just keeping at it and everything will be different once he paints that masterpiece. Once...
Thank you! That is a lovely quote indeed.
It’s a great juxtaposition with his words in the Rolling Thunder movie … where he says “it’s about nothing…. It happened so long ago, I wasn’t even born”.
He builds and dismantles the myth at the same time. It can mean everything and it can mean nothing. Very Camusian.
Worst cruise ever?
At least The Titanic was over quickly.