Sorrows of Satan: The Choice Between the Divine and the Desire
Temptation and whether you will be able to withstand it? It is what Marie Corelli’s “Sorrows of Satan” is trying to explain through the example of Geoffrey Tempest, an unrecognized author close to starvation who suddenly became a millionaire and earned Prince Lucio Rimânez as his friend, the closest one actually. “Withstand or not to withstand” is the actual question asked by the author.
Desperately poor, lonely in a room that he can’t even afford, Tempest, an unrecognized author very close to starvation was reading the letter of his old friend Boffles who by knowing the current state of Tempest lends him 50 pounds and generously claims that he can return it whenever he will be able to, no rush. In the letter addressed to Tempest, Boffles also introduces Prince Lucio Rimânez and presents in short who he is and how he can be helpful to Tempest. Next Tempest opened a “long blue envelope that looked so like a threat of legal proceedings” (Corelli, 1952). In fact, it was an amazing letter that stated that a distant relative of his father “of whom he had scarcely heard had died suddenly in South America, leaving [Tempest] his sole heir” (Corelli, 1952). Now, Tempest is a millionaire with five million pounds at hand. Things get more interesting when Prince Lucio Rimânez, a very handsome, inhumanely attractive, well-knit and an immensely-rich man, appears in Tempest’s poor room and offers his ‘sincere friendship.’ Tempest doesn’t think long when accepting it, though Lucio warns Tempest that he is now what he seems to be.
Before Lucio would offer supper to the newly-appeared millionaire, he hears a sound and asks Tempest what it is. “It was the violinist next door playing a well-known “Ave Maria,” Tempest replied (Corelli, 1952, p. 21). With a doubt in his heart, Tempest asks a question to Lucio regarding his title to check whether it is just a sign of aristocracy or he rules over a kingdom and overall to understand who Lucio actually is. To that, Lucio replies that his kingdom is vast and continues by saying “when I say that my kingdom is a vast one, I mean that I rule wherever men obey the influence of wealth” (Corelli, 1952, p. 23). Tempest continues and says “Yet surely you believe that there are some things wealth cannot buy, — honor and virtue for example?” Lucio replies by saying that he supposes that honor and virtue exist “and when they are existent of course they cannot be bought.” He continues by saying “but my experience has taught me that I can always buy everything. The sentiments called honor and virtue by the majority of men are the most shifty things imaginable, — set sufficient cash down, and they become bribery and corruption in the twinkling of an eye! Curious — very curious. I confess I found a case of unpurchasable integrity once, but only once. I may find it again, though I consider the chance a very doubtful one” (Corelli, 1952, p. 23).
Tempest was an atheist. He had no belief in God and not the devil for sure. When Prince Lucio Rimânez says that his close friends drop his title and simply call him Lucio, Tempes asked but “what is his christian name.” The question angered Lucio. He said that “there is no such thing as „christian‟ in [his] composition! (Corelli, 1952, p. 24). Lucio continued with a passion and said “You are not a Christian, — no one is really, — people pretend to be” (Corelli, 1952, p. 25). There are many instances when Tempest and Lucio discuss the God, heaven, sins of humankind, the Devil itself and the soul though it seems like none of them has any belief in all of that. Lucio says that he is not Christian and the belief that he has is a rather awful one but doesn’t specify what it is. There are many contradictions in Lucio’s speech that Tempest notices but rejects to notice and understand that all of it might just simply be mere coincidences. Lucio gives very simple explanations. Once, he simply said that he is ‘brainsick’ and it fully satisfied Tempest.
Now that Tempest has everything, it came the time for him to find fame by publishing his book, find happiness by getting married, buy a good house or maybe a big estate, organize fabulous parties for the aristocracy and find his name on the latest news of the day’s newspapers. He starts doing all of it one by one.
Everything that Tempest ever dreamed could become true if only he followed the instructions and advice of his new close friends, Prince Lucio Rimânez. Lucio promises to get agreements with the publishers and not only publish the book but also make sure that all the critics write great reviews on it. A few hundred pounds to one of the most prominent publishers and the deal is done. Tempest takes just a few moments to think about the offer of Lucio but eventually agrees to do that. A few weeks later, when the book was already published, all the newspapers talked only about Tempest and his astonishing book. Tempest had all the best reviews of the critics. However, all of it was so fake that when Tempest entered one of the bookstores, he figured out one of the most sold books wasn’t his but prominent female writer Mavis Clare’s “Indifferences”. Anger took over his head. How could the book of that ‘unsexed’ author, as he thought of Mavis, have such a success. He couldn’t find any critic that left a good review of the book. Tempest bought and read the book. He loved it. It was so much better than what he has written. Mavis certainly had a talent. Tempest was irritated almost beyond endurance. He was so hurt that he decided to write an anonymous letter of criticism of her book that was full of lies, which he will much regret when he visits Mavis’s house.
Lucio claims that he dislikes all women. This actually comforts Tempest a lot because he is endlessly worried that his appearance is not as great and perfect as Lucio’s one in the eyes of the women. However, when they go visit a very popular, highly successful female author Mavis Clare, who Tempest hates because of the fame she earned, Lucio doesn’t hide his sympathies and affection and even bows to kiss her hand. Was that mere affection or Lucio found a case of unpurchaseable integrity? Later, following the advice of Lucio, Tempest would later buy an estate near to the house of Mavis. When they first time visit Mavis with Lucio, Tempest would entirely change his opinion about her. In his mind, he would think that Mavis “was such a quiet graceful creature, so slight and dainty, so perfectly unaffected and simple in manner…,” and was feeling like a “low brute who had been stoning a child” by writing a “slaughtering” article criticizing her book (Corelli, 1952, 188).
In one of the gatherings of the aristocracy where Tempest now has its firm place, Lucio introduces Tempest to the Earl of Elton and his daughter, Lady Sybil Elton. Lady Sybil had an extraordinary beauty that made Tempest think that she is an example of something superlatively pure and good. How could he not want her, is the rhetorical question that Earl of Elton had in his mind. Finally, a millionaire who can buy the beauty of his daughter and pay his debts, one of which is to Lucio was everything that Earl of Elton had in his mind. After a while, Tempest fell in love with the beautiful Lady Sibyl. The only thing in Lady Sybil that irritated him but didn’t stop from loving her was her passion for the books of Mavis Claire and indifference to his ’literary achievement’ that critics loved so much.
It was the right time for Tempest to buy a country estate that was about an hour away by train from London. His so beloved friend Lucio offers Willowsmere Court. This is where the love of his life, Lady Sibyl was born and when the Earl of Elton was already unable to pay for it they had to move to London. That was also the place where Mavis Clare was living. They would become neighbors. In Tempest’s mind, he and Sybil would live there happily ever after. Lady Sybil, realized what was going on and knew that she was out for sale. It was only Tempest who didn’t want to believe that he was actually buying her even after Lady Sybil directly told Tempest to finish the deal, pay his father and plan the wedding in the summer. Sybil also told Tempest that she is beautiful only from the outside and not from the inside and that she doesn’t really love because she doesn’t know how. Hit by a mind-blowing wave of what seemed to be a love towards Sybil, Tempest refuses to believe her and claims that she is the love of her life. The deal was done. The wedding would be in the summer.
Lucio organized a big party for the couple and a month later the wedding ceremony. During the wedding, Lucio raised the glass of wine and wished all the best to the couple. Lucio said that though he loses a friend, he is happy that Tempest found his love. Mavis was also invited to the wedding. At night, when people were still drinking and dancing, Mavis decided to take a walk alone outdoors. Lucio was waiting there for her. He stopped her and started a conversation that both Tempest and already his wife, Sybil, separately from each other, were secretly listening to. Showing all the affection that Lucio has for Mavis, she genuinely offers his friendly ‘services.’ He primarily says “You have genius — a rare quality in a woman, — and I would advance your fortunes. I should not be what I am if I did not try to persuade you to let me help on your career. You are not rich, — I could show you how to become so. You have a great fame — that I grant; but you have many enemies and slanderers who are for ever trying to pull you down from the throne you have won. I could bring these to your feet, and make them your slaves. With your intellectual power, your personal grace and gifts of temperament, I could, if you would let me guide you, give you such far-reaching influence as no woman has possessed in this century. I am no boaster, — I can do what I say and more; and I ask nothing from you in return except that you should follow my advice implicitly. My advice, let me tell you is not difficult to follow; most people find it easy!” (Corelli, 1952, 282). One could see mingled fascination and fear on the face of Mavis. Despite that, Lucio continued promising her a lifetime of love as no woman is fully happy without love. He promised to bring to her knees all the best and the most honored men and she could choose any one of them. Mavis is terrified by these words. She says “Such promises are incredible — impossible! You speak as if you were more than human! I do not understand you, Prince Rimânez, — you are different to anyone I ever met, and … and … something in me stronger than myself warns me against you. What are you? — why do you talk to me so strangely? Pardon me if I seem ungrateful …” (Corelli, 1952, 283). The strangeness of the conversation doesn’t lower and the tension rises. Lucio continues and says “Tell me, — think for a moment! — can you remember me? Is there a time on which you can look back, and looking, see my face, not here but elsewhere? Think! Did you ever see me long ago — in a far sphere of beauty and light, when you were an Angel, Mavis, — and I was — not what I am now! How you tremble! You need not fear me, — I would not harm you for a thousand worlds!” (Corelli, 1952, 285). Mavis, no longer able to stand there, gently says that really she has “nothing to wish for, — except — when the time comes — a happy death” (Corelli, 1952, 283). “Then as I may not help you, you must help me!” — and dropping before her, he reverently took her hand and kissed it — “I ask a very little thing of you, — pray for me!, said Lucio” (Corelli, 1952, 285). Mavis quickly agreed and they finally partied.
After the wedding, the couple went for the honeymoon. The trip should have lasted longer, but they returned much earlier. An unfortunate marriage the basis of which was the sole bodily beauty of Sybil and immense wealth of Tempest, could it be a happy union? Lady Sybil was in fact desperately in love with Lucio, who wouldn’t even look at her. When Lucio visits Tempest as a guest and stays at their house, Sybil was already unable to restrain herself. In the middle of the night, she leaves her husband alone in the bed and leaves for Lucio. When Tempest woke up and didn’t find his wife, he walked through the corridors in search of her and heard Lucio’s voice. He primarily says “Listen to the truth of yourself for once from one who is not afraid to speak it! — you love me, — and truly your body and soul are mine to claim, if I so choose! You married with a lie upon your lips; you swore fidelity to your husband before God, with infidelity already in your thoughts, and by your own act made the mystical blessing a blasphemy and a curse!” (Corelli, 1952, p. 294). This embarrassment continues for a while and Sybil keeps begging Lucio to be her lover for at least an hour, that is all she desires but she keeps receiving denial over and over again. Tempest, who was listening from behind the door for a long while, enters the room and starts praising his close friend for his fidelity and throws extravagant words of shame towards his wife. After a while, because of the intenseness of the situation, Tempest loses his consciousness.
Tempest wakes up to see his friend Lucio playing a musical instrument and is amazed at the fact at how unempathetic one can be. He was suffering but Lucio didn’t seem to care much. Moreover, Lucio simply said that they can forget about the day’s event because as long as the high society doesn’t know anything about it Tempest and Sybil remain the most adorable and happy couple. This shocks Tempest and he claims that he cannot live with that woman. Lucio offers to go for a trip together, which Tempest agrees on very fast. Tempest leaves a letter for his wife saying that he leaves half of his wealth to her, that no one will ever know what happened that night to avoid public embarrassment and that they will never meet again.
While on the train, Tempest receives a letter from Mavis. The letter was very short and just said that the deal is too urgent and Tempest needs to return back home as soon as possible. He was so touched by that friendly gesture of Mavis, that it took him a few seconds before he started thinking. “She called herself my friend! — … it was a privilege of which I felt myself unworthy!” (Corelli, 1952, p. 392). Lucio stayed at the ship, leaving Tempest alone to return home or maybe gave one more chance to part from him.
Tempest returned as soon as possible. He found Mavis unable to explain what happened and later found his wife lifeless in her room. Her wife left a letter. In the letter she retold her short life but the ending of it was the most astonishing. These were the excerpts from Sibyl’s letter: “ — God whom I doubted, God whom I was taught to deny, this wronged, blasphemed, and outraged God EXISTS! And I could have found Him had I chosen, — this knowledge is forced upon me as I am torn from hence, — it is shouted at me by a thousand wailing voices! … too late! — too late! — the scarlet wings beat me downward, — these strange half-shapeless forms close round and drive me onward … to a further darkness, … amid wind and fire! … Oh God, have mercy! … I know WHO claims my worship now, and drags me into a yonder rolling world of flame!… his name is”” (Corelli, 1952, p. 344). Confused by the letter of his wife, Tempest takes it to Mavis and insists she read it. For a long time, Mavis refused to read the letter but Tempest continued to insist and she read it. He was expecting her empathy towards him but instead he receives empathetic words of Mavis towards Sybil. This confuses Tempest and he lets Mavis know that he is leaving for a trip with his friend Lucio. Mavis white and trembling, cries “Oh, are you so blind, as not to see what this means? Can you not understand? Do you not know your worst enemy?” Tempest stands bewildered with no clue about what is going on. “Lucio Rimânez!” said Mavis in a thrilling tone — “I do not know from whence he came, — but I take God to witness my belief that he is a worker of evil, — a fiend in beautiful human shape, — a destroyer and a corrupter! The curse of him fell on Sibyl the moment she met him, — the same curse rests on you! Leave him if you are wise, — take your chance of escape while it remains to you, — and never let him see your face again!” (Corelli, 1952, p. 351). Tempest refuses to listen to Mavis and goes back to his friend, Lucio.
Tempest’s anxiety grew over time and neither the trip nor his friend were of help in healing his wounds. It reached the point when Tempest decided to commit a suicide. He shut the door of his cabin and took out the pistol. His heart was beating fearlessly. He “kept my eyes fixed on the ground, lest they should encounter the dead eyes of Sibyl. “One click of the trigger — ” I whispered — “and all is over! I shall be at peace, — senseless, — sightless and painless. Horrors can no longer haunt me, … I shall sleep!” (Corelli, 1952, p. 368). Suddenly, Lucio came in and when he saw the scene he simply said “Pardon me! I had no idea you were busy! I will go away. I would not disturb you for the world!” (Corelli, 1952, p. 369). Astonished by Lucio’s reaction, Tempest exclaimed “You say that! You say it — seeing me thus! I thought you were my friend!” (Corelli, 1952, p. 369). Was Lucio Tempest’s friend or is this already a rhetorical question?
Very loud and frightening thunder and wild tumult and roar of great waves. All of it combined, made the atmosphere even tenser. One could hear the voices of different ugly creatures from within the waves shouting “AVE SATHANAS! AVE!” Lucio approached Tempest and said “Follow me, Geoffrey Tempest. Your time has come!” (Corelli, 1952, p. 371). Terror already took over Tempest’s mind but he still didn’t want to believe it was all actually happening. Already panic-stricken, Tempest hears Lucio telling him in an authoritative tone “Do you know Me now, man whom my millions of dross have made wretched? — or do you need me to tell you WHO I am?” (Corelli, 1952, p. 372). Lucio starts telling Tempest all the instances that should have proven that there is no friendship between them starting from the day one when he offered his friendship and they made a deal. He lists everything and says that regardless of all the signs, last being the warnings of Mavis, Tempest kept coming back to his ‘friend.’ Lucio starts blaming Tempest and all the sinful humans. The sorrow created and accumulated by the sinners on the earth keeps the fallen angel from reaching heaven again. How fair is that? The question rings in the mind of Lucio, making him suffer from the sorrows. He takes Tempest to the edge of the world, where he is provided with the last chance to make a choice and there Tempest says “GOD only!” Annihilation at His hands, rather than life without Him! GOD only! I have chosen!” (Corelli, 1952, p. 382).
Tempest loses his consciousness and after a long period of unconsciousness wakes up afloat on a wide ocean, fast bound to a wooden spar. Tempest was happy to be granted a second chance. The captain of the ship that was floating nearby notices him and saves him. On the ship, he reads in the newspapers that the whole London society is shocked that “millionaire Tempest” lost all his wealth. Tempest is happy because the money wasn’t really his, it was Lucio’s. He starts a new life and earns his living by using his literary genius just like Mavis and in fact Mavis is the only one he continues his friendship with. After a while, he sees Lucio on the streets of London again but his and his ‘old friend’s’ eyes never met. Lucio’s new friends were a few members of the cabinet minister. Tempest “saw them ascend the steps, and finally disappear within the House of England’s Imperial Government, — Devil and Man, — together” This is the last sentence of female author Marie Corelli’s book “Sorrows of Satan” written at a time when fake morality standards of the high society were at their peak or where they? … otherwise this should have not been so relatable to today’s reality too. Gently look around and you might find the heroes of the novel in your surroundings or God forbid in yourself.
References
Corelli, M., (1952), The Sorrows of Satan or, the Strange Experience of One Geoffrey Tempest, Millionaire, Methuen & co. LTD., London, Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/42332/42332-h/42332-h.htm
