First thought after reading Manon Lescaut : There is only a thin veil between love and stupidity, indeed. 
 Chevalier des Grieux, a studious young man from a noble family, fell in love at the first sight with a beautiful young girl about to be admitted to a monastery. This girl, Manon Lescaut, was soon to be the focus of the story and des Grieux's life. For her, he left his family, his straight way of life, and his sanity in general. Manon turns to be perfidious, betrayed him several times, yet he always came back to her and made her his priority. Somehow he always found a reason for his lover's bad conduct, even when it was clear that she will led him to destruction 
 "There is nothing of wanton vice," said I to myself "in her transgressions; she is volatile and imprudent, but she is sincere and affectionate." My love alone rendered me blind to all her fault. 
 The way des Grieux romanticized Manon's behavior makes me shake my head in disbelief, but come to think of it, I am also guilty of this occassionally. Seeing the fault of person you love through rose-colored glass, I suppose, is not uncommon, even in modern times, although with different level of consequences. That is what makes this story still relevant until now. It's funny that you can identify (partially) with a story written for more than 200 years ago. People born and died, situations changed, but still we're committing the same sins for generation after generation. We blame the irrationality of love for this, and somehow we feel better because of that, but does that make it right? 
 I love Manon, I wade through sorrow and suffering in order to attain happiness with her. My path is one indeed of difficulties but the mere hope of reaching the desired goal makes it easy and delightful; and I shall think myself but too bountifully repaid by one moment of her society, for all the troubles I encounter in my course. 
 It's interesting that the more I read Manon Lescaut, the more lectures on Freudian theory come to mind. Perhaps it is not perfectly comparable, but for me the enchanting Manon Lescaut is like personification of the Id, the worldly temptation who lured Chevalier des Grieux away from his pious way of life. Chevalier des Grieux was too weak to resist Manon's charm, and her irrational schemes and love for luxury led to their demise. In the other hand, kind Tiberge and his moral preaching serves as superego to Manon's Id. Tiberge's faithful and unquestioning friendship personify a "higher love" of God, who will always readily embrace sinners if only they make effort to come back, no matter how temporarily. It is understandable, considering this was written by a Benedictine abbot (allegedly based on his personal experience). 
 Compared to other classic works, this is surprisingly fast paced and easy to read. I find it enjoyable to read this book. Writing an essay based on this book for my course is, however, quite a different story... 
 Still, I won't complain if I have to reread this story for another essay, and that's always a good sign.