Final answer:
The concept of the 'beast within' addressed in the provided text excerpts pertains to the inner darkness and base instincts inherent in human nature. It explores the notion that this beast is an inseparable part of the human psyche that must be acknowledged rather than hunted and eliminated. The human struggle with inner darkness is a common theme in literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The references made in the provided texts delve into the concept of the inner 'beast' or the darker aspects of human nature, which cannot simply be hunted or eliminated. These excerpts explore the struggle with inner darkness, contrariety, and the intrinsic evil that is part of the human condition.
The struggle is acknowledged in various forms, from the physical desire and moral conflict in the first quote to Walt Whitman's recognition of his own flaws and negative traits in the second passage. The excerpts imply a complex relationship between one's conscience or moral compass and the underlying natural instincts or impulses.
The concept of chasing an elusive beast or deer in literary terms often symbolizes the pursuit of an intangible goal such as beauty or virtue, as seen in the quote from Arjuna. Similarly, Shakespeare's 'Lady Macbeth' invokes the notion of the beast with regard to courage and action. The final quote that speaks to preferring the state of a beast over incessant thinking highlights the desire to escape self-awareness and its associated pains.
Ultimately, these texts suggest that the 'beast' is not external but a part of the human psyche, a representation of our base instincts, and a latent darkness within us that can be acknowledged but never entirely eradicated. This 'beast' can influence behavior and thoughts, and understanding and integrating this part of self is part of the human experience.