In Thomas Mann's story, "Death in Venice", the main character, Gustave von Aschenbach, is first seen as a hard working, yet diligent character. In his early life he went through the motions that most bourgeois men did and married. As the story continues and the reader learns more about Aschenbach, his life, personality, and passions, his artistic nature begins to shine through. Aschenbach's perseverance and diligence in his line of work obviously lead to the success and respect amongst his peers which he had been craving and also brought unhappiness, yet his superficial happiness which we see while he vacations in Venice eventually leads to his downfall as an artist and a person.
             Aschenbach's initial motivation to become a writer and artist was for respect and he accomplished this through his severe controlling behavior. He remained separate from the world in his youth in order to pursue his career aspirations and more or less maintained this recluse persona.
             Mann depicts the artist as separated from reality and strictly occupied with 'spirit' and a moral obligation to bring larger truths to mankind through his writing. Through the story, Mann shows the destructive outcome of an artist's infatuation brought on by a newfound appreciation for tangible beauty rather than the beauty of written word. Although in the story, Aschenbach made a significant effort to relax and enjoy life, his regimented routine made it difficult to enjoy his first few days in Venice until he encountered Tadzio, Aschenbach's new standard of beauty. Tadzio and his Polish family first intrigued Aschenbach, which overtime lead to an obsession only with Tadzio and the god-like beauty Aschenbach saw in him. As Aschenbach lurked about the hotel and beaches in pursuit of a glimpse of Tadzio, he admired and fantasized about the young boy and was never able to express his feelings about the boy or associate wi
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