Illustration -He Left the Palace and Went to Walk- c. 19th century

William B. Closson created this illustration, "He Left the Palace and Went to Walk" with engraving. Consider the figure with his back turned, sword sheathed, leaving the palace. It evokes a potent symbol of leaving behind one's responsibilities, echoing the prodigal son or even royalty renouncing their crown. The image resonates with the ancient motif of the "wanderer," found in countless myths and legends, from Gilgamesh to the Arthurian knights. This archetype is deeply embedded in our collective unconscious. The act of turning away, the solitary figure against the vast landscape – these speak to a universal yearning for freedom, escape, and perhaps, a search for deeper meaning outside the confines of societal expectations. The emotional pull lies in this tension between duty and desire, the comfort of the known versus the uncertainty of the path ahead. The wanderer motif continues to resurface, evolving with each telling yet retaining its core message of seeking something beyond the familiar.