Why is it that sadness and melancholy are so artistically compelling?

>>8606198
tragedy is a lot more interesting to read and talk about

>>8606198
Because life is tragic, and in the highest forms of art we crave life. Melancholy is the permanent state of human existence, whereas happiness or contentment are passing humours.

>>8606256
what a pretentious faggot

>>8606261
It's true. Why do you think a permanent state of bliss can only be obtained by meditation, i.e. sitting motionless and emptying oneself of thoughts?

>>8606267

melancholy is not the by default state you edgy teenager. its anxiety.

>>8606198
I disagree, I think the most beautiful poetry is essentially celebratory. I'm thinking about Stevens and some of Wordsworth. But if you're talking about drama I don't have an answer. Maybe it's because people are miserable and solitary. They want solace and corroboration. Art replaces religion, right?

I think it's just a part of the process. Subconsciously you when you create you start to want to see your character go through trials, so you give them your traits and then they gain your troubles and issues as well.
It's the writer trying to troubleshoot themselves. As you get more experience as a writer, I think you begin to understand that the mystery of whether something bad is going to happen or not is far more interesting than the actual bad things that happen.
Happy stories, even romances, still need a driving conflict and personal desires behind each character. So inevitably it's absolutely necessary that the character face challenges or trials, and usually the inexperienced author will pick trials, and the experienced author may still choose trials.
Thats my take on it

File: F3nbRf8.jpg (828KB, 1920x2857px) Image search: [Google]

828KB, 1920x2857px

>>8606296
>Woodsworth