Aristotle's Relationship In Lolita

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Aristotle argues that friendships are required to meet the conditions needed to live the most fulfilling life. His idea of friendship goes along the basics as ‘getting along with’ such as you would with neighbours or say you and the staff in your local coffee shop. What counts as friendship is goodwill that is directed towards each other. For example, awareness of the relationship and the relationship must be mutual. Looking through Nicomachean Ethics book VIII and IX, this essay will discuss just how this takes place through the interpersonal relationships of Humbert and Haze, Humbert and Dolores, Annabel Leigh and Humbert and Humbert and Valeria from the novel ‘Lolita’ (Vladimir Nabokov, 1955) and the film adaptation (Adrian Lyne, 1997). …show more content…

It is those based on mutual admiration, character based friendships due to two people who enjoy the personality of the other. The best type of friendships are those between good people who have admiration for each others talents. It seems that within Lolita, the interpersonal relationship of Annabel Leigh and Humbert transpires that of mutual admiration the most. Aristotle says in VIII that ‘Young people seem to aim at pleasure’ which is undermined through this scene. It would make better sense to label the young friendship of Annabel and Humbert as mutual admiration. Humbert talks of how “The softness and fragility of baby animals caused us the same intense pain.” (pp. 12), an understanding of similar interests. Furthermore, Humbert himself talks about how “long after her death I felt her thoughts floating through mine.” (pp. 14), due to having such a long lasting impact on his life, it is clear that such a relationship wasn’t merely for pleasure as the remnants would have dissolved quickly, therefore undermining Aristotle's view. Although talking about how although he still thinks that young people seek pleasure more than admiration, ‘they intend to spend their days and lives together.’, which is supported through the fact that Humbert clings onto Annabel, even seeing his Lolita as a reincarnation of