'Beacons' by Charles Baudelaire
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Reubens, river of forgetfulness, garden of sloth,
Pillow of wet flesh that one cannot love,
But where life throngs and seethes without cease
Like the air in the sky and the water in the sea.
Leonardo da Vinci, sinister mirror,
Where these charming angels with sweet smiles
Charged with mystery, appear in shadows
Of glaciers and pines that close off the country.
Rembrandt, sad hospital full of murmurs
Decorated only with a crucifix,
Where tearful prayers arise from filth
And a ray of winter light crosses brusquely.
Michelangelo, a wasteland where one sees Hercules
Mingling with Christ, and rising in a straight line
Powerful phantoms that in the twilight
Tear their shrouds with stretching fingers.
Rage of a boxer, impudence of a faun,
You who gather together the beauty of the boor,
Your big heart swelling with pride at man defective and yellow,
Puget, melancholy emperor of the poor.
Watteau, this carnival of illustrious hearts
Like butterflies, errant and flamboyant,
In the cool decor, with delicate lightning in the chandeliers
Crossing the madness of the twirling ball.
Goya, nightmare of unknown things,
Fetuses roasting on the spit,
Harridans in the mirror and naked children
Tempting demons by loosening their stockings.
Delacroix, haunted lake of blood and evil angels,
Shaded by evergreen forests of dark firs,
Where, under a grieving sky, strange fanfares
Pass, like a gasping breath of Weber.
These curses, these blasphemies, these moans,
These ecstasies, these tears, these cries of "Te Deum"
Are an echo reiterated in a thousand mazes;
It is for mortal hearts a divine opium!
It is a cry repeated by a thousand sentinels,
An order returned by a thousand megaphones,
A beacon lighting a thousand citadels
A summons to hunters lost in the wide woods.
For truly, O Lord, what better testimony
Can we give to our dignity
Than this burning sob that rolls from age to age
And comes to die on the shore of Your eternity?
Translated by William A. Sigler
Submitted by Ryan McGuire
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Beacons" by Charles Baudelaire: A Dazzling Exploration of Love and Death
When one thinks of Charles Baudelaire, the first thing that comes to mind is often his masterpiece, "Les Fleurs du Mal" (The Flowers of Evil). However, Baudelaire was a prolific poet, and his other works are just as deserving of attention. One such work is the poem "Beacons" ("Les Phares" in French), which explores themes of love, death, and the human condition in the inimitable style of the French poet.
An Overview of "Beacons"
"Beacons" is a sonnet, consisting of 14 lines in iambic pentameter. The poem is structured in two quatrains and two tercets, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The title of the poem refers to lighthouses, which are used to guide ships safely to shore. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the human experience.
Part One: The Sea and its Dangers
The first part of the poem sets the scene for the rest of the work. Baudelaire describes the sea as a "pitiless abyss" that "feeds upon our human anguish", highlighting the dangers that lurk beneath the surface. However, he also notes that the sea has a seductive quality, drawing humans towards it with its beauty and mystery. The sea, then, is both alluring and dangerous, a force to be reckoned with.
Baudelaire uses vivid and evocative language to describe the sea, painting a picture of a vast and unpredictable entity. He describes the waves as "mountains of azure flanked by white crests", emphasising their size and power. The sea is also personified, with Baudelaire referring to it as a "mistress" who "enfolds us in her treacherous and cold embrace". This personification gives the sea a sense of agency and intentionality, making it seem like an active player in the drama of human existence.
Part Two: Love and its Obstacles
The second part of the poem shifts focus from the sea to love, exploring the difficulties and obstacles that can arise in romantic relationships. Baudelaire describes love as a "lighthouse beacon", a guiding light in the darkness of human experience. However, he also notes that love can be elusive, with lovers often feeling lost and adrift in a sea of emotions. The metaphor of the lighthouse is particularly effective here, as it suggests that love can provide direction and guidance, but that it is not always easy to find.
In this section of the poem, Baudelaire uses a more personal and intimate tone, addressing the reader directly as he describes the joys and sorrows of love. He notes that love can be a source of comfort and happiness, but that it can also be a source of pain and suffering. The language he uses is rich and sensual, with images of "warm lips" and "silken hair" evoking the physical pleasures of love.
Part Three: Death and its Finality
The final part of the poem takes a darker turn, exploring the inevitability of death and the finality it brings. Baudelaire describes death as a "grim lighthouse", a beacon that signals the end of human life. He notes that death is the ultimate obstacle, one that cannot be overcome or avoided.
The language in this section of the poem is stark and uncompromising, with Baudelaire using images of darkness and emptiness to convey the bleakness of death. He notes that death is a "silent abyss" that "swallows all that life has known", emphasising the finality of the end. The poem ends on a sombre note, with Baudelaire reflecting on the futility of human existence in the face of death.
Interpretation of "Beacons"
"Beacons" is a complex and multi-layered work that can be interpreted in a number of ways. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human experience, exploring the joys and sorrows of life, love, and death. Baudelaire uses vivid and evocative language to paint a picture of the world around us, highlighting both its beauty and its dangers.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the transitory nature of human existence. Baudelaire notes that the sea is constantly changing, and that humans are subject to the same forces of flux and impermanence. Love, too, is fleeting, with the joy it brings often tempered by the pain of loss. Death, of course, is the ultimate reminder of our mortality, signalling the end of our time on earth.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the power of nature. Baudelaire notes that the sea is a force to be reckoned with, one that can be both beautiful and dangerous. The metaphor of the lighthouse suggests that nature can provide guidance and direction, but that it is also indifferent to human suffering. In this sense, the poem can be seen as a warning against the hubris of humanity, reminding us that we are but small and insignificant creatures in a vast and unpredictable world.
Conclusion
"Beacons" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the complexities of the human experience in a rich and evocative manner. Baudelaire's use of language is powerful and imaginative, creating a vivid and engaging portrait of the world around us. The poem's exploration of themes such as love, death, and the power of nature resonates with readers today, making it a timeless work of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Beacons: A Poem of Hope and Despair
Charles Baudelaire, the French poet and essayist, is known for his dark and melancholic writings that explore the human condition. His poem "Beacons" is no exception, as it delves into the themes of hope and despair, light and darkness, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that seems to be falling apart.
The poem begins with a description of a desolate landscape, where "the sky is low and heavy like a lid" and "the earth is black and sticky." This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it portrays a world that is bleak and oppressive. However, amidst this darkness, there are "beacons" that shine bright and offer a glimmer of hope.
The first beacon that Baudelaire describes is the "lamp of the scholar." This refers to the light of knowledge and wisdom, which can guide us through the darkness of ignorance and confusion. Baudelaire believed that education and intellectual pursuits were essential for finding meaning in life, and this is reflected in his poetry.
The second beacon is the "lamp of the poet." This refers to the power of art and creativity to inspire and uplift us. Baudelaire believed that poetry and other forms of art were essential for expressing the human experience and connecting us to something greater than ourselves.
The third beacon is the "lamp of the hero." This refers to the courage and bravery of those who fight for justice and freedom. Baudelaire believed that we all have a responsibility to stand up for what is right and to fight against oppression and injustice.
The fourth and final beacon is the "lamp of love." This refers to the power of human connection and the ability to find meaning and purpose through relationships with others. Baudelaire believed that love was the most powerful force in the universe, and that it could overcome even the darkest of circumstances.
Throughout the poem, Baudelaire contrasts these beacons of hope with the darkness and despair of the world around us. He describes the "foul miasma" that hangs over the city, the "filthy sky" that seems to suffocate us, and the "black water" that reflects our own despair back at us. However, he also reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope to be found.
One of the most striking aspects of "Beacons" is its use of imagery. Baudelaire's descriptions of the landscape are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and terrifying. He uses metaphors and similes to compare the world to a "prison," a "grave," and a "nightmare," emphasizing the sense of oppression and hopelessness that pervades the poem.
However, amidst this darkness, there are moments of beauty and light. Baudelaire describes the "golden sun" that rises over the city, the "azure sky" that stretches out above us, and the "diamonds" that sparkle in the night. These moments of beauty serve as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always something to be grateful for.
Another notable aspect of "Beacons" is its use of repetition. Baudelaire repeats the phrase "there are" throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea that even in the midst of despair, there are always beacons of hope to guide us. He also repeats the phrase "we must" several times, emphasizing the idea that we all have a responsibility to seek out these beacons and to use them to guide us through the darkness.
Overall, "Beacons" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of hope and despair, light and darkness, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that seems to be falling apart. Baudelaire's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition serves to emphasize the contrast between the darkness of the world and the light of the beacons that guide us through it. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope to be found, and that we all have a responsibility to seek out that hope and use it to guide us through the darkness.
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