What ideas about suffering and stoicism appear in Alfred de Vigny’s poetry?

In the poetry of Alfred-Victor, count de Vigny, suffering is depicted as an inherent, tragic condition of human existence, often exacerbated by the silence or cold indifference of Providence and nature.1

Vigny’s work, particularly in Les Destinées, explores the following themes regarding suffering and the stoic response:

• The Silence of the Divine: Vigny expresses a tormented skepticism, criticizing a God who remains silent in the face of human agony, as seen in "Le Mont des Oliviers," and a nature that is as coldly insensitive as the forces governing the world.1
• Humanistic Values: In response to this perceived abandonment, Vigny proposes that humanity must rely on strictly human values—specifically honour, pity, and the love of beauty—to navigate existence.1
• Stoic Endurance: His poetry reflects a "spontaneously tragic conception of existence," where the individual must endure conflicts such as thwarted love, humiliated greatness, and the burden of a tormented conscience.1
• The Apotheosis of the Human: Ultimately, Vigny suggests a shift away from traditional divinity, celebrating in his final poem, "L’Esprit pur," a spirit that is essentially human, effectively replacing the role of God.1