Imre Madách’s philosophical drama explores the eternal themes of human existence and the search for the meaning of life. The main character, Adam, goes through various historical eras under the guidance of the fallen angel Lucifer. Along the way, Adam repeatedly meets people who are overcome by new kinds of passions that do not and can never end. Such a broad view of the empty vanity of people plunges the main character (and perhaps the reader?) into despair.