baudelaire vita

GC2 minutes read

Charles Baudelaire's tumultuous life was shaped by early familial loss and rebellion against conformity, leading to struggles with health and identity while influencing his literary journey. Ultimately, his decline culminated in a stroke that deprived him of memory and creativity before his death in 1867.

Insights

  • Charles Baudelaire's early experiences of loss and familial betrayal, particularly the death of his father and the stillbirth of a sister, deeply impacted his later relationships and shaped his worldview, fostering a sense of rebellion and defiance against societal norms as evidenced by his rejection of conformity at school and his refusal to betray a classmate.
  • Throughout his tumultuous life, marked by struggles with health, relationships, and financial instability, Baudelaire's encounters with influential literary figures and his experiences with women and prostitution profoundly influenced his writing, leading to a transformation in his style from poetry to prose poetry, reflecting the complexities of urban life in Paris and his personal crises.

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Summary

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Baudelaire's Turbulent Journey Through Life

  • Charles Baudelaire was born in Paris in 1821 and lost his father at the age of 7, leading to a brief period of happiness with his mother, who soon began a relationship with General Opic, resulting in a stillborn sister for Baudelaire. This early experience of familial betrayal influenced his later life and relationships.
  • After moving to Lyon, Baudelaire displayed a rebellious nature at the College Royal, famously rejecting conformity by stating, "I am among the rebels; I don't want to be one of those ass kissers." His defiance continued, leading to his expulsion from Louis Le Grand college in 1939 for refusing to betray a classmate.
  • At 18, Baudelaire began a tumultuous life marked by a venereal disease and frequenting brothels, which shaped his views on women and prostitution. He also encountered influential figures like Balzac and Nerval during this period, which contributed to his literary development.
  • In 1841, Baudelaire was sent to the East Indies by his family to distance him from his vices, but he returned, and at 21, he inherited 100,000 gold francs. During this time, he met Jean Duval, a significant figure in his life, and began writing "Les Fleurs du mal."
  • By 1944, Baudelaire's mother sought to place him under guardianship after he squandered half of his inheritance, leading to a crisis in his identity and a suicide attempt. This period marked a shift in his writing style from poetry to prose poetry, reflecting the changing urban landscape of Paris.
  • Baudelaire's later years were marked by a decline in health and creativity, culminating in a stroke in 1866 that paralyzed him. He was hospitalized and eventually transferred back to Paris, where he died on August 31, 1867, having lost his memory and ability to write.
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