'I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago' by Charles Baudelaire
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I love the naked ages long ago
When statues were gilded by Apollo,
When men and women of agility
Could play without lies and anxiety,
And the sky lovingly caressed their spines,
As it exercised its noble machine.
Fertile Cybele, mother of nature, then,
Would not place on her daughters a burden,
But, she-wolf sharing her heart with the people,
Would feed creation from her brown nipples.
Men, elegant and strong, would have the right
To be proud to have beauty named their king;
Virgin fruit free of blemish and cracking,
Whose flesh smooth and firm would summon a bite!
The Poet today, when he would convey
This native grandeur, would not be swept away
By man free and woman natural,
But would feel darkness envelop his soul
Before this black tableau full of loathing.
O malformed monsters crying for clothing!
O ludicrous heads! Torsos needing disguise!
O poor writhing bodies of every wrong size,
Children that the god of the Useful swaths
In the language of bronze and brass!
And women, alas! You shadow your heredity,
You gnaw nourishment from debauchery,
A virgin holds maternal lechery
And all the horrors of fecundity!
We have, it is true, corrupt nations,
Beauty unknown to the radiant ancients:
Faces that gnaw through the heart's cankers,
And talk with the cool beauty of languor;
But these inventions of our backward muses
Are never hindered in their morbid uses
Of the old for profound homage to youth,
—To the young saint, the sweet air, the simple truth,
To the eye as limpid as the water current,
To spread out over all, insouciant
Like the blue sky, the birds and the flowers,
Its perfumes, its songs and its sweet fervors.
Translated by William A. Sigler
Submitted by Ryan McGuire
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago: A Critical Analysis
Charles Baudelaire's "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" is a poem that takes us back to a time when humanity was unencumbered by the complexities of modern life. It is a poem that celebrates simplicity, beauty, and the natural world. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem.
Historical Context
Before we delve into the poem, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. Baudelaire was a French poet who lived in the 19th century. This was a time when industrialization was on the rise, and cities were becoming increasingly crowded and polluted. The world was changing rapidly, and people were struggling to adapt to these changes.
Baudelaire was not happy with these changes. He saw the modern world as a place of corruption and decay. He longed for a simpler time when people were closer to nature and to each other. This longing is reflected in "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago."
Poetic Devices
One of the first things that strikes the reader about this poem is its use of poetic devices. Baudelaire was a master of language, and he uses a variety of techniques to create a vivid and evocative picture of the world he is describing.
One of the most striking devices in the poem is its use of imagery. Throughout the poem, Baudelaire paints a picture of a world that is full of natural beauty. He describes "the clear waters of the rivers," "the green forests," and "the blue skies." This imagery creates a sense of peace and tranquility, and it stands in stark contrast to the polluted and overcrowded cities of Baudelaire's time.
Another important device in the poem is its use of repetition. Baudelaire repeats the phrase "I love" throughout the poem, emphasizing his feelings of nostalgia and longing. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and intensity, as if Baudelaire is desperately trying to convey his emotions to the reader.
Themes
The themes of "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" are closely tied to the historical context in which the poem was written. Baudelaire longs for a simpler time when people were closer to nature and to each other. He celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the simplicity of life before the modern era.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of innocence. Baudelaire sees the modern world as corrupt and decadent, and he longs for a time when people were innocent and pure. He writes, "I love the naked ages long ago, / When statues were gilded with heaven's rays, / And people were gentle, without greed or guile."
Baudelaire also touches on the theme of mortality. He writes, "I love the dead voices that echo still, / From far away, across the ages dim, / And sweetly the frail harp that they thrill, / With the eternal hymn." This passage suggests that Baudelaire is aware of his own mortality, and he is comforted by the idea that his voice will echo across the ages just like the voices of the dead.
Interpretation
So what is Baudelaire trying to say in "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago"? At its most basic level, the poem is a celebration of the natural world and a lament for the loss of innocence and simplicity in modern life. Baudelaire longs for a world that is free from the corruption and pollution of the modern era.
But there is more to the poem than just a simple celebration of the past. Baudelaire is also exploring some deeper themes, such as mortality and the passage of time. He recognizes that the world he longs for is gone forever, and that he himself is mortal. But he takes comfort in the idea that his voice will echo across the ages just like the voices of the dead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" is a powerful poem that explores some of the most fundamental themes of human existence. It is a celebration of the natural world and a lament for the loss of innocence and simplicity in modern life. Baudelaire's use of poetic devices creates a vivid and evocative picture of the world he is describing, and his exploration of themes such as mortality and the passage of time gives the poem a depth and complexity that makes it a timeless classic.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago: A Poem of Nostalgia and Longing
Charles Baudelaire's "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" is a poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever felt a sense of nostalgia for a time long gone. It is a poem that captures the essence of a bygone era, a time when life was simpler and more innocent. In this analysis, we will explore the themes of the poem, its structure, and its language, and how they all work together to create a powerful and evocative piece of poetry.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his love for the "naked ages long ago." This phrase immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests a time when people were more open and honest with each other, and when life was less complicated. The speaker goes on to describe this time as one when "the world was virgin," a time when everything was new and fresh, and when people were still discovering the wonders of the world around them.
The theme of nostalgia is central to this poem, as the speaker longs for a time that he can never return to. He speaks of "the days of old," and of "the happy days of yore," and it is clear that he is looking back on a time that he remembers fondly. This sense of nostalgia is heightened by the use of the past tense throughout the poem, as the speaker describes events that have already happened and can never be repeated.
The structure of the poem is also important in conveying its themes. It is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains four lines. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which is appropriate for a poem that is about the beauty and simplicity of the past. The use of rhyme and repetition also adds to the poem's structure, as the repeated phrase "I love" creates a sense of rhythm and continuity throughout the poem.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, which is appropriate for a poem that is about the beauty of simplicity. The use of words like "virgin," "innocent," and "happy" all contribute to the sense of nostalgia that pervades the poem. The use of imagery is also important, as the speaker describes "the fields of wheat," "the woods," and "the rivers" of the past. These images create a sense of a world that is both beautiful and unspoiled, and which the speaker longs to return to.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of contrast. The speaker contrasts the simplicity and beauty of the past with the complexity and ugliness of the present. He speaks of "the world of today," which is "so ugly and so mean," and contrasts it with the "happy days of yore." This contrast creates a sense of longing and sadness, as the speaker realizes that he can never return to the past, and must instead live in a world that is less beautiful and less innocent.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of time. The speaker speaks of "the days of old," and of "the happy days of yore," and it is clear that he is looking back on a time that is long gone. This sense of the passing of time is heightened by the use of the word "naked," which suggests a time before the trappings of civilization and technology. The speaker longs for a time when life was simpler and more natural, and when people were more connected to the world around them.
In conclusion, "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever felt a sense of nostalgia for a time long gone. Its themes of simplicity, beauty, and timelessness are conveyed through its structure, language, and imagery, and create a sense of longing and sadness that is both universal and timeless. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to evoke emotions that are both profound and lasting.
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