Through moralist eyes, the theme of Verdi’s La Traviata could easily appear to be a censure of Violetta’s lifestyle. Indeed, some of Alfredo’s first words to her are “in costal guisa v’ucciderete” (“in this fashion you will kill yourself”). However, Verdi and Piave’s true intent for their heroine was likely far less critical and far more tragic. For Violetta, sadness corresponds almost directly with disease and death. Her tuberculosis lurked …showed first 75 words of 1314 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1314 total…to Alfredo are not ones of remorse, but, rather, wishes for his future happiness. Her caring soul shines in her final moments. Thus, Violetta was never a reckless seeker of physical joys. Her disease and its intimate relation to sadness forced her to find distractions from death wherever available. Her desperate helplessness is the true tragedy of La Traviata. Violetta, a kind compassionate woman, cannot outrun the sickness and misery that has always hounded her.