> Maybe because my introduction to him was

Would've thought most would view it as dark and melancholy and resigned. You get optimism from those lines?

Do you feel the following is optimistic?

'...

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.'

In some sense, I guess it can be viewed as optimistic. In the way 'death cures all' can be viewed as optimistic. Just never thought of it that way. Interesting.