'Benediction' by Charles Baudelaire

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The Flowers of Sickness and Evil1861When, by decree of the supreme power,
The Poet appears in this annoyed world,
His mother, blasphemous out of horror
At God's pity, cries out with fists curled:"Ah! I'd rather You'd will me a snake's skin
Than to keep feeding this monstrous slur!
I curse that night's ephemera are sins
To make my womb atone for pleasure."Since You have chosen me from all the brides
To bear the disgust of my dolorous groom
And since I can't throw back into the fires
Like an old love letter this gaunt buffoon"I'll replace Your hate that overwhelms me
On the instrument of Your wicked gloom
And torture so well this miserable tree
Its pestiferous buds will never bloom!"She chokes down the eucharist of venom,
Not comprehending eternal designs,
She prepares a Gehenna of her own,
And consecrates a pyre of maternal crimes.Yet, watched by an invisible seraph,
The disinherited child is drunk on the sun
And in all he devours and in all he quaffs
Receives ambrosia, nectar and honey.He plays with the wind, chats with the vapors,
Deliriously sings the stations of the cross;
And the Spirit who follows him in his capers
Cries at his joy like a bird in the forest.Those whom he longs to love look with disdain
And dread, strengthened by his tranquillity,
They seek to make him complain of his pain
So they may try out their ferocity.In the bread and wine destined for his lips,
They mix in cinders and spit with their wrath,
And throw out all he touches as he grasps it,
And accuse him of putting his feet in their path.His wife cries out so that everyone hears:
"Since he finds me good enough to adore
I'll weave as the idols of ancient years
A corona of gold as a cover."I'll get drunk on nard, incense and myrrh,
Get down on bent knee with meats and wines
To see if in a heart that admires,
My smile denies deference to the divine."And, when I tire of these impious farces,
I'll arrange for him my frail and hard nails
Sharpened just like the claws of a harpy
That out of his heart will carve a trail."Like a baby bird trembling in the nest
I'll dig out his heart all red from my breast
To slake the thirst of my favorite pet,
And will throw it on the ground with contempt!"Toward the sky, where he sees a great host,
The poet, serene, lifts his pious arms high
And the vast lightning of his lucid ghost
Blinds him to the furious people nearby:"Glory to God, who leaves us to suffer
To cure us of all our impurities
And like the best, most rarefied buffer
Prepares the strong for a saint's ecstasies!"I know that You hold a place for the Poet
In the ranks of the blessed and the saint's legions,
That You invite him to an eternal fete
Of thrones, of virtues, of dominations."I know only sorrow is unequaled,
It cannot be encroached on from Hell or Earth
And if I am to braid my mystic wreath,
May I impose it on the universe."But the ancient jewels of lost Palmyra,
The unknown metals, pearls from the ocean
By Your hand mounted, they do not suffice,
They cannot dazzle as clearly as this crown"For it will not be made except from halos
Drawn of pure light in a holy portal
Whose entire splendor, in the eyes of mortals
Is only a mirror, obscure and mournful."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Benediction by Charles Baudelaire

Benediction is a powerful poem written by Charles Baudelaire, one of the most important French poets of the 19th century. The poem, written in the style of a prayer, describes the feelings of a person who is lost and wants to find his way back to God. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem, its themes, and its use of language.

Background

Charles Baudelaire was born in Paris in 1821. He was a controversial figure in French literature and was known for his dark and sensual poetry. He is considered one of the founders of modern poetry and was heavily influenced by the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Baudelaire's life was marked by alcoholism, drug addiction, and frequent bouts of depression. He died in 1867 at the age of 46.

Analysis

Structure

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC. The use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to read aloud. The repetition of the word "benediction" at the end of each stanza creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the theme of the poem.

Themes

The main theme of the poem is the search for redemption. The speaker of the poem is lost and wants to find his way back to God. He is asking for a blessing or a benediction that will help him on his journey. The poem is a reflection on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life.

Another theme of the poem is the power of language. Baudelaire uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the speaker's emotions. The use of religious language and symbolism adds to the intensity of the poem.

Language

Baudelaire's use of language in Benediction is striking. The poem is full of religious language and imagery. The speaker is asking for a blessing or a benediction, which is a common theme in religious poetry. The use of the word "benediction" at the end of each stanza reinforces this theme and creates a sense of repetition.

The poem is also full of powerful metaphors and vivid imagery. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes himself as a "wretched insect" and a "shipwrecked soul." These images convey a sense of despair and hopelessness. In the second stanza, the speaker describes himself as a "pilgrim" and a "knight" on a quest. These images convey a sense of purpose and determination.

The use of religious symbolism is another important aspect of the poem. The speaker refers to the "Holy Grail" and the "sacred fire." These symbols represent the divine and add to the religious tone of the poem.

Interpretation

Benediction can be interpreted as a reflection on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life. The speaker of the poem is lost and wants to find his way back to God. This can be seen as a metaphor for the search for purpose and meaning in life.

The poem can also be interpreted as a critique of modern society. Baudelaire was known for his criticism of the bourgeoisie and the materialism of his time. The speaker's search for meaning can be seen as a rejection of the shallow values of society.

The use of religious language and imagery in the poem can be seen as a critique of organized religion. Baudelaire was known for his skepticism of religion and his rejection of traditional morality. The poem can be seen as a reflection on the need for spirituality in a secular world.

Conclusion

Benediction is a powerful poem that explores the themes of redemption, language, and the human condition. Baudelaire's use of rhyme, meter, and vivid imagery creates a sense of musicality and intensity. The poem can be interpreted as a critique of modern society and a reflection on the need for spirituality in a secular world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Benediction by Charles Baudelaire: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

Charles Baudelaire, the French poet, essayist, and art critic, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of modern poetry. His works, which often explore themes of beauty, love, and death, are characterized by their vivid imagery, musicality, and profound philosophical insights. Among his most celebrated poems is Benediction, a hauntingly beautiful meditation on the power of love and the transience of life.

At its core, Benediction is a poem about the transformative power of love. Baudelaire begins by describing the speaker's experience of being "touched by grace," a feeling of profound joy and ecstasy that comes from being in the presence of a beloved. The speaker's love is so intense that it seems to transcend the boundaries of time and space, allowing him to experience a kind of spiritual communion with his beloved that is both transcendent and eternal.

The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the work, as Baudelaire uses vivid, sensory language to evoke the speaker's experience of being in the presence of his beloved. He writes:

"When, by a decree of the powers above, A man is touched by grace, He looks upon the world with new-found love, And shines with light upon his face."

Here, Baudelaire uses the metaphor of light to convey the transformative power of love. The speaker's love is so intense that it illuminates his entire being, making him shine with a radiant inner light. This image is both beautiful and powerful, suggesting that love has the power to transform not only the individual who experiences it but also the world around them.

As the poem progresses, Baudelaire explores the theme of transience, reminding us that even the most intense experiences of love are fleeting and ephemeral. He writes:

"But love, the breath of life, soon passes by, And like a flower that fades, The heart that once was full of ecstasy Is left with nothing but its shades."

Here, Baudelaire uses the metaphor of a flower to convey the fragility and transience of love. Just as a flower blooms for a brief moment before withering and dying, so too does love burn brightly for a time before fading away. This image is both poignant and melancholic, reminding us that even the most intense experiences of love are ultimately fleeting.

Despite this sense of transience, however, Baudelaire suggests that love has the power to transcend even death itself. He writes:

"But love, the conqueror, can never die, And in his arms we find A refuge from the world's inconstancy, A haven for the mind."

Here, Baudelaire uses the metaphor of love as a conqueror to suggest that love has the power to overcome even death. In the arms of love, the speaker finds a refuge from the world's inconstancy, a place of safety and security where he can find solace and comfort even in the face of life's most difficult challenges.

Throughout the poem, Baudelaire's language is rich and evocative, filled with vivid images and powerful metaphors that convey the depth and complexity of the speaker's experience of love. His use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality, adding to its emotional impact and making it a joy to read aloud.

In conclusion, Benediction is a masterpiece of poetic expression, a hauntingly beautiful meditation on the transformative power of love and the transience of life. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and musical language, Baudelaire captures the essence of the human experience, reminding us of the beauty and fragility of life and the enduring power of love. Whether read as a celebration of love or a meditation on mortality, Benediction is a work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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