Definition

"In the midst of winter, I finally found there was within me an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

“To be or not to be: that is the question.” - Hamlet, William Shakespeare

Not to confuse two great literary geniuses, but despite the distance in the time spans of their lives, ultimately, is what Shakespeare wrote not also what Camus was saying in his famous quote? With mere words, Camus had definitely decided to live - not in his or anyone else’s shadow, but in the brilliance of self-awareness, most likely discovering an unknown strength buried deep within himself. Quite simply, Camus had decided to be. To be all that he could despite the trials and tribulations life offers on a perpetual, reoccurring basis. To be the transforming butterfly, breaking free of the restrictive cocoon and learning to spread its wings, flying through the universe known as life. To be the soldier who perseveres and fights against those things that threaten to consume or destroy. To be the indomitable, brilliant philosopher and writer who easily captured – and still does - the attention of a minuscule ant as well as the millions in the world. To be all that he could despite obstacles that often discourage one in the pursuit of peace, happiness, or more importantly, identity. Though he may have been labeled as an existentialist or absurdist, Camus decidedly placed an importance on human existence with this quote. Perhaps this was largely due to what he endured in Paris during German occupancy during World War II. However, as a member of the resistance, he was willing to take a stand and do what he could against the atrocities and horrors he witnessed or survived during that war.

Without a doubt, there is a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, survival, and self-identity housed in this one quote. Camus had found much more than he bargained for when he discovered that “the invincible summer” existed within him. Much like the philosophers of old, Camus was not fortune’s fool but made much more of sterner stuff.