critical theory with slavoj zizek: Tannhauser makes it clear that what he longs for is the peace of death itself: ‘My longing drive me into the fight, not looking out for delight and lust! Oh, may you understand that, Goddess. It drives me towards death, as I look out for him!’ …on the side of a terrifying eternity of unbearable excessive enjoyment. …Tannhauser complains that, as a mortal, he cannot sustain continuous enjoyment: 'Though a god may incessantly savor enjoyment, I am subject to change; pleasure alone does not lie close to my heart - in the midst of joy I crave after pain.’ …The tension between sublime passion and religion is…operative in Tannhauser.