Death in Venice

From the ancient world to about the time of the story, the sea was the major means of transportation to mysterious lands. Soon afterwards, ships, as a means of transportation, began to give way to airplanes. But the sea remains mysterious, since its depths are the only part of the globe which remains barely explored.

The only times when Aschenbach is able to find peace in Death in Venice is during brief moments when he is contemplating the sea. Since it has no permanent form, the sea may represent transcendence of life and death.

While the sea brings rest, the waters of the lagoon smell foul. This was swamp, around which, perhaps, people should not have built their homes. But even worse are the canals. They are stagnant, and carry disease along with boats. When the sea is channeled and controlled, it loses its healing power and can even become deadly.