Variations sur l’ennui

In its first part, this article seeks a definition of boredom, following the work and thought of Cioran. In particular, it considers vulgar or mundane boredom differently from essential boredom, analyzing its relationship with time, space and desire. Then it highlights some specific traits of boredom, such as non-locating and incurability. In the second part, we take an historical-literary excursus of boredom, from Seneca, through the medieval acedia, until modern times, which begins with Pascal’s reflection and continues with the letters of Madame du Deffand, and finally in the eighteenth century, with Leopardi, Baudelaire and Flaubert.