'Harmonie du Soir' by Charles Baudelaire
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Voici venir les temps où vibrant sur sa tige
Chaque fleur s'évapore ainsi qu'un encensoir;
Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir;
Valse mélancolique et langoureux vertige!
Chaque fleur s'évapore ainsi qu'un encensoir;
Le violon frémit comme un coeur qu'on afflige;
Valse mélancolique et langoureux vertige!
Le ciel est triste et beau comme un grand reposoir.
Le violon frémit comme un coeur qu'on afflige,
Un coeur tendre qui hait le néant vaste et noir!
Le ciel est triste et beau comme un grand reposoir;
Le soleil s'est noyé dans son sang qui se fige.
Un coeur tendre qui hait le néant vaste et noir,
Du passé lumineux receuille tout vestige!
Le soleil s'est noyé dans son sang qui se fige ...
Ton souvenir en moi luit comme un ostensoir!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Harmonie du Soir by Charles Baudelaire
Harmonie du Soir is one of the most beloved poems written by Charles Baudelaire, a French poet and essayist who lived in the 19th century. This poem is part of his famous collection, Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil), which has been regarded as a masterpiece of French literature. Harmonie du Soir is a lyrical and melancholic poem that explores themes of beauty, time, and mortality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the structure, language, and imagery used in the poem to reveal its deeper meaning.
Structure
The poem is structured in six quatrains, with each stanza containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is consistent throughout the poem, with each stanza using an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem has a musical quality to it, with the repetition of certain sounds and the use of alliteration and assonance. The poem is written in free verse, which means that there is no strict meter or rhyme scheme, allowing the poet to express his emotions and ideas more freely.
The structure of the poem reflects the theme of time and its passing. The six quatrains represent the six stages of the day, from evening to night. The poem starts with the evening and ends with the night, suggesting the inevitability of darkness and the end of life. The repetition of the word "adieu" in the last two stanzas also reinforces the finality of death and the passing of time.
Language
The language used in the poem is rich and evocative. Baudelaire uses metaphors and allusions to create a sense of beauty and melancholy. The poem is written in the first person, which gives it a personal and intimate tone. The speaker is addressing his lover, but there is a sense of distance and separation between them, which is reinforced by the use of the word "vous" (you) instead of "tu" (you, informal).
The poem opens with the line, "Voici venir les temps où vibrant sur sa tige" (Here come the times when, vibrating on its stem). The use of the word "vibrant" suggests a sense of life and energy, but this is juxtaposed with the image of the flower on its stem, which suggests fragility and transience. The flower is a metaphor for life and beauty, which are fleeting and delicate.
The poem also contains allusions to classical mythology and literature. In the second stanza, the speaker compares his love to a ghostly apparition, saying, "Je suis le sinistre écho de vos nocturnes fêtes" (I am the sinister echo of your nocturnal feasts). This line alludes to the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, in which Orpheus is unable to save his wife from death and is left with only a ghostly echo of her voice.
Imagery
The imagery used in the poem is vivid and sensual. Baudelaire uses images of nature and the changing light to evoke a sense of beauty and transience. The poem is filled with images of sunsets, shadows, and darkness, which suggest the passing of time and the inevitability of death.
In the first stanza, the speaker describes the sunset as "a bloody hand / Over the sky's face." This image is both beautiful and violent, suggesting the paradoxical nature of life and death. The use of the color red also evokes a sense of passion and intensity, which is contrasted with the image of the sky's face, suggesting a sense of detachment and indifference.
The poem also contains images of water and reflection, which suggest a sense of fluidity and change. In the third stanza, the speaker describes the "mirror of my queen" and the "silver basin of a pagan." These images suggest a sense of reflection and introspection, as well as a connection to the past and to the natural world.
Interpretation
Harmonie du Soir is a poem that explores the themes of beauty, time, and mortality. The poem suggests that life is beautiful but fleeting, and that death is inevitable. The speaker is addressing his lover, but there is a sense of distance and separation between them, which reflects the sense of loneliness and isolation that can come from confronting the reality of mortality.
The poem is also a meditation on the nature of art and poetry. Baudelaire believed that poetry had the power to capture the beauty and transience of life, and that it was the poet's duty to create beauty in a world that was often ugly and cruel. The use of musical language and the structure of the poem reflect this belief, as the poet uses words and sounds to create a sense of harmony and beauty.
In conclusion, Harmonie du Soir is a beautiful and melancholic poem that explores the theme of beauty and mortality. The use of vivid imagery, rich language, and musical structure creates a sense of harmony and beauty that reflects the poet's belief in the power of art and poetry. This poem is a testament to Baudelaire's genius and has become a beloved classic of French literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Harmonie du Soir: A Masterpiece of Charles Baudelaire
Charles Baudelaire is one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, known for his unique style and dark themes. His works have inspired countless artists and writers, and his influence can still be felt in modern literature. One of his most famous poems is Harmonie du Soir, which translates to "Evening Harmony." This masterpiece is a perfect example of Baudelaire's poetic genius, and in this analysis, we will explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a description of the evening sky, which is compared to a "vast cathedral" with "columns of basalt." This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with religious and Gothic motifs. The sky is described as "purple," "gold," and "blue," creating a sense of awe and wonder. The use of color is significant in this poem, as it represents the different moods and emotions of the evening.
As the poem progresses, Baudelaire introduces the theme of love and desire. He describes the "sensual pleasure" of the evening, which is "like a long sob." This line is particularly powerful, as it captures the intensity of desire and the longing for something that is just out of reach. Baudelaire's use of language is masterful, as he creates a sense of tension and anticipation that builds throughout the poem.
The next stanza introduces the theme of death, which is a recurring motif in Baudelaire's work. He describes the "funeral drum" that beats in the distance, creating a sense of foreboding and unease. The juxtaposition of love and death is a common theme in Gothic literature, and Baudelaire uses it to great effect in this poem.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Baudelaire describes the "angelus" that rings out, signaling the end of the day. This religious imagery is significant, as it suggests that the evening is a time of reflection and contemplation. The final lines of the poem are particularly haunting, as Baudelaire describes the "eternal regret" that comes with the passing of time. This sense of loss and regret is a common theme in Baudelaire's work, and it is particularly poignant in this poem.
The structure of Harmonie du Soir is also significant. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different theme and mood. The first stanza sets the scene, the second introduces the theme of desire, the third introduces the theme of death, and the fourth brings the poem to a close with a sense of reflection and regret. This structure creates a sense of progression and development, as the poem moves from one theme to the next.
Baudelaire's use of literary devices is also noteworthy. The poem is filled with metaphors, similes, and personification, which create a sense of richness and depth. For example, the evening sky is compared to a "vast cathedral," the sensual pleasure of the evening is compared to a "long sob," and the funeral drum is personified as a "mournful voice." These literary devices create a sense of imagery and emotion that is both powerful and evocative.
In conclusion, Harmonie du Soir is a masterpiece of Charles Baudelaire's poetic genius. The poem is filled with rich imagery, powerful themes, and masterful use of language. Baudelaire's ability to capture the mood and emotion of the evening is unparalleled, and his use of Gothic and religious motifs creates a sense of depth and complexity. This poem is a testament to Baudelaire's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of the 19th century.
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