Weber + G&S?
Max Weber (a sociologist): "...the more the value to which action is oriented is elevated to the status of an absolute value, the more 'irrational' in this sense the corresponding action is. For, the more unconditionally the actor devotes himself to this value for its own sake, to pure sentiment or beauty, to absolute goodness or devotion to duty, the less is he influenced by considerations of the consequences of his actions. The orientation of action wholly to the rational achievement of ends without relation to fundamental values is, to be sure, essentially only a limiting cause."
A few quotes from The Pirates of Penzance:
1. Frederic: "Oh! pity me, my beloved friends, for such is my sense of duty that, once out of my indentures, I shall feel myself bound to devote myself heart and soul to your extermination!"
2. Girls, referring to Mabel's recently volunteering to marry a cute, singing, piratey stranger: "The question is, had he not been a thing of beauty, would she be swayed by quite as keen a sense of duty?"
3. Frederic: "Well, you have appealed to my sense of duty, and my duty is only too clear. I abhor your infamous calling; I shudder at the thought that I have ever been mixed up with it; but duty is before all -- at any price I will do my duty."
Short synopsis: Weber was quite certain that Frederic & Mabel were on crack, and thus integrated his views on the Pirates of Penzance into his professional work.
Conclusion: If you have not yet seen Pirates, you obviously need to do so so that you can form your own conclusions about how nutty the protagonists are. Heck, come reaffirm your views if you already have some!
A few quotes from The Pirates of Penzance:
1. Frederic: "Oh! pity me, my beloved friends, for such is my sense of duty that, once out of my indentures, I shall feel myself bound to devote myself heart and soul to your extermination!"
2. Girls, referring to Mabel's recently volunteering to marry a cute, singing, piratey stranger: "The question is, had he not been a thing of beauty, would she be swayed by quite as keen a sense of duty?"
3. Frederic: "Well, you have appealed to my sense of duty, and my duty is only too clear. I abhor your infamous calling; I shudder at the thought that I have ever been mixed up with it; but duty is before all -- at any price I will do my duty."
Short synopsis: Weber was quite certain that Frederic & Mabel were on crack, and thus integrated his views on the Pirates of Penzance into his professional work.
Conclusion: If you have not yet seen Pirates, you obviously need to do so so that you can form your own conclusions about how nutty the protagonists are. Heck, come reaffirm your views if you already have some!