In his essay "Upon Some Verses of Virgil", Montaigne reflects on human nature through observations made about his own experiences. Montaigne moves in a stream-of-thought from topic to topic meanwhile his writing tends to digress and avoids a single interpretation or central meaning. The reader is forced to follow the elusiveness of Montaigne's argument and trust that he will come full circle:
From the excess of sprightliness I am fallen into that of severity, which is much more troublesome: and for that reason I now and then suffer myself purposely a little to run into disorder, and occupy my mind in wanton and youthful thoughts, wherewith it diverts itself. (Pg. 1)
Is it to say, the less we expend in words, we may pay so much the more in thinking? (Pg. 6)
Every subject is equally fertile to me: a fly will serve the purpose, and `tis well if this I have in hand has not been undertaken at the recommendation of as flighty a will. I may begin with that which pleases me best, for the subjects are all linked to one another. (Pg. 26)
He who has no fruition but in fruition, who wins nothing unless he sweeps the stakes, who takes no pleasure in the chase but in the quarry, ought not to introduce himself in our school: the more steps and degrees there are, so much higher and more honorable is the uppermost seat; we should take a pleasure in being conducted to it, as in magnificent palaces, by various porticoes and passages, long and pleasant galleries, and many windings. (Pg. 29)
These passages convey Montaigne's personal ruminations, anecdotes, and questions based on his experiences. Other times Montaigne uses a more formal structure which provides an didactic approach. These passages often include arguments supported with quotes:
For my part, I will take Aristotle at his word who says, that "Bashfulness is an ornament to youth, but a reproach to old age." These verses are preached in the ancient school, a school that I much more adhere to than the modern: its virtues appear to me to be greater and the vices less:
"Ceux qui par trop fuyant Venus estrivent, Faillent autant que ceulx qui trop la suyvent." "Tu, dea, tu rerum naturam sola gubernas, Nec sine te quicquam dias in luminis oras Exoritur, neque fit laetum, nec amabile quicquam." (Pd. 6)
From his observations, Montaigne creates metaphors that connect on various levels. Here, he is able to make connections between nature, humanity, and the written essay. As painting represents writing, words become a visual and verbal representation of Montaigne's larger concepts.
While the verses of these two poets treat so reservedly and discreetly of wantonness as they do, methinks they discover it much more openly. Ladies cover their necks with network, priests cover several sacred things, and painters shadow their pictures to give them greater luster: and `tis said that the sun and wind strike more violently by reflection than in a direct line. The Egyptian wisely answered him who asked him what he had under his cloak; "it is hid under my cloak," said he, "that thou mayest not know what it is:" but there are certain other things that people hide only to show them. (Pg. 28)
