'I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago' by Charles Baudelaire
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The Flowers of Sickness and Evil1861I love the naked ages long agoWhen statues were gilded by Apollo,When men and women of agilityCould 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 rightTo 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 conveyThis native grandeur, would not be swept awayBy man free and woman natural,But would feel darkness envelop his soulBefore 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 swathsIn the language of bronze and brass!And women, alas! You shadow your heredity,You gnaw nourishment from debauchery,A virgin holds maternal lecheryAnd 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 musesAre never hindered in their morbid usesOf 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, insouciantLike the blue sky, the birds and the flowers,Its perfumes, its songs and its sweet fervors.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Charles Baudelaire is known for his controversial and often taboo poetry. His collection of poems in "Les Fleurs du Mal" (The Flowers of Evil) is a testament to his rebellious and nonconformist attitude towards society. "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" is one such poem that challenges the norms of society and questions the concept of beauty.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes and motifs present in the poem and analyze the underlying meaning and significance of Baudelaire's work.
The Poem
I love the naked ages long ago When statues were gilded by Apollo, When men and women of agility Could run without panting like machines,
When, in the light of day, with love trading Blows, hearts would sigh to the sound of kisses, And the gods, fulfilled with such harmony, Would envy the earthly realm's felicity.
Nothing was held back by Oceans or Mountains: To one another, bounding like fawns, Men would seek out with ease every mystery, And, without a care, pierce the forests' secrets.
The flowering of genius, the pure perfection Of noble arts, into the midst of nations Like a sacred flood did rush and run, And, savants creating, the people were one.
Greeks, you are redeemed! Rome, forever grand! And you, into my being flow again, dreams, Marvels of the sea, glory of the firmament!
The spirit of the past breathed in your lyre, And when, for the first time, I saw the light, Your laurels remained fresh within my memory.
Analysis
The poem begins with a nostalgic tone as Baudelaire expresses his love for the "naked ages long ago". He longs for a time when things were simpler and more natural, devoid of the artificiality of modern society. He then goes on to describe a time where men and women could run without panting like machines, implying that the modern world has made us robotic and mechanical.
Baudelaire's love for the past is not just limited to the physical world but also extends to the emotions and feelings of the people living in that era. He describes how hearts would sigh to the sound of kisses, and the gods would envy the earthly realm's felicity. This is a romanticized view of the past, where love and happiness were abundant.
The next stanza takes us on a journey of exploration and discovery, where men could seek out every mystery without being held back by oceans or mountains. Baudelaire is expressing his longing for adventure, and his frustration with the limitations of modern society. He also hints at the idea that knowledge and wisdom were not restricted to a privileged few in the past, but were available to anyone who sought it.
The poem then takes a turn towards the arts and sciences, where Baudelaire describes the flowering of genius and the pure perfection of noble arts. He acknowledges the contribution of the Greeks and the Romans to the world of art, literature, and philosophy, and acknowledges their redemption and eternal grandeur.
The poem ends with Baudelaire's personal connection to the past, where he remembers the laurels of the Greeks and the Romans from his childhood. He is expressing his gratitude for the legacy they left behind, which he believes has influenced him greatly.
Interpretation
"I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" is a poem that reflects Baudelaire's dissatisfaction with the modern world and his romanticized view of the past. He longs for a time when things were simpler and more natural, and when people were more in touch with their emotions and feelings. He believes that modern society has made us robotic and mechanical, and has restricted our ability to explore and discover.
Baudelaire also acknowledges the contribution of the Greeks and the Romans to the world of art, literature, and philosophy. He believes that their legacy has influenced him greatly and that they are redeemed and forever grand.
The poem can also be interpreted as a critique of modern society and its obsession with progress and technology. Baudelaire is advocating for a return to a more natural and simple way of life, where people are more in touch with their emotions and feelings and are not restricted by the limitations of modern society.
Conclusion
"I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" is a poem that challenges the norms of society and questions the concept of beauty. Baudelaire's romanticized view of the past and his longing for a simpler and more natural way of life reflect his dissatisfaction with the modern world. The poem can also be interpreted as a critique of modern society and its obsession with progress and technology.
Overall, "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that continues to inspire and challenge readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has been a medium of expression for centuries, and one of the most celebrated poets of all time is Charles Baudelaire. His poem, "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nostalgia and the beauty of the past. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Baudelaire.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his love for the past, specifically the "naked ages long ago." The use of the word "naked" here is significant as it suggests a time before the complexities of modern society, where people were more in tune with nature and their primal instincts. The speaker longs for this simpler time, where life was more straightforward and unencumbered by the trappings of modernity.
Baudelaire's use of imagery is particularly striking in this poem. He paints a vivid picture of the past, describing it as a time when "the sun shone brighter, and the air was pure." This imagery is not only beautiful but also serves to contrast the past with the present, where pollution and environmental degradation have become major issues. The speaker's love for the past is not just a romanticized notion but also a recognition of the damage that has been done to the environment.
The poem's structure is also worth noting. It is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and focus. The first stanza is an expression of the speaker's love for the past, the second is a reflection on the present, and the third is a call to action. This structure allows Baudelaire to explore different themes and ideas while maintaining a cohesive narrative.
The second stanza is particularly poignant, as the speaker reflects on the present and the changes that have taken place. He describes the world as "a vast hospital," where people are consumed by their own desires and the pursuit of wealth. This image is a stark contrast to the idyllic past described in the first stanza. The speaker's tone here is one of despair and disillusionment, as he laments the loss of innocence and simplicity.
The third stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to "rise up and be strong." The speaker recognizes that the past cannot be reclaimed, but he believes that the present can be changed. He encourages the reader to reject the materialism and consumerism of modern society and to embrace a simpler, more natural way of life. This call to action is a powerful message that resonates even today, as we continue to grapple with issues of environmental degradation and social inequality.
Baudelaire's use of literary devices is also noteworthy. The poem is filled with metaphors and allusions that add depth and complexity to the text. For example, the line "the earth was our mother" is a metaphor that suggests a deep connection between humans and nature. This metaphor is particularly relevant today, as we continue to grapple with the consequences of our exploitation of the environment.
Another literary device used by Baudelaire is allusion. The line "the gods were our friends" is a reference to the ancient Greek and Roman gods, who were believed to be intimately connected to nature. This allusion serves to reinforce the idea that humans have lost touch with nature and the divine, and that we must strive to reconnect with these forces.
In conclusion, "I Love The Naked Ages Long Ago" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and the beauty of the past. Baudelaire's use of imagery, structure, and literary devices adds depth and complexity to the text, making it a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate even today. The poem's message is one of hope and action, urging us to reject the materialism and consumerism of modern society and to embrace a simpler, more natural way of life.
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