WHO WAS NIXOS KAZANTZAKIS ?
Nikos Kazantzakis (1878-1957) was a Greek writer who wrote novels in the mid-20th Century. His most well-known works are Zorba the Greek and The Last Temptation of Christ both of which were made into very popular films. Kazantzakis was born and raised on the island of Crete, studied at the University of Paris, and wrote literally dozens of books ranging from many first-rate novels to travel guides and political tracts. He was also occasionally and temporarily involved in representing Greece in various international situations.
While traveling in the far east Kazantzakis contacted a deadly disease and died on his way to Germany. His wife brought him to Crete to be buried in great honor even though the Greek Orthodox Church had excommunicated him for the questions he raised about the church and the Bible. Thousands of Cretan citizens gathered for his funeral in Heraklion, Crete where he was buried on the ancient Venetian wall that surrounds the city. His books continue to be popular all around the world. I actually had the opportunity to spend a day visiting with Helen Kazantzakis, Nikos’ wife, in Geneva years ago.
Kazantzakis’ creative autobiography, Report to Greco, is a fascinating account of his youth, years of study, and travels with friends. It also contains a number of his insights into world affairs and intellectual developments. The title for this book reflects its dedication to El Greco the artist who also came from Crete. Kazantzakis thought it appropriate for him to dedicate his autobiography to the other Cretan artist. The motto for this book is: “Reach What You Cannot”, focusing Kazantzakis’ belief that one should always be striving for something higher, more fulfilling than that which one has already achieved.
Perhaps Kazantzakis’ most profound book is his final effort to express the above motto in his magnum opus: The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel, wherein he undertakes to expand on the journey of Odysseus by accompanying him travelling around the world. Even here, Kazantzakis refuses to acknowledge that there is ever an end to the journey, indeed, the struggle, to go beyond whatever one has already achieved. Incidentally, this book consists of 33,333 lines of iambic pentameter in Greek.
The actual motto of Kazantzakis’ Odyssey is “I hope for nothing; I fear nothing; I am free.” In this way he sought to convey his belief that the only way to be absolutely free of all that would inhibit one’s growth is not to have any hopes or fears. Only then would a person be totally free. Then there would be no disappointments, no false sense of fulfilment. Rewards and punishments are then out of the question and one is free to pursue life for its own sake. Kazantzakis had this motto inscribed on his gravestone on the Venetian wall in Heraklion.
I have pondered these issues and mottos many times ever since I first encountered the writings of the “crazy Greek.” As Zorba says to “the Boss” in both the film and the novel: “Boss, you’ve got to learn to cut the string that ties you to the petty things of this world.” The big question here is not only whether this is at all possible, but whether it is in fact desirable. Does not such withdrawal sap life of its vital meaning? Clearly, neither Kazantzakis nor Zorba actually lived as if this were so. Is it not possible to live both postures at the same time?