Spleen by Charles Pierre Baudelaire
Baudelaire's "Spleen" is a collection of poems that explore the themes of melancholy, introspection, and the search for meaning in life. The book is known for its vivid imagery and use of symbolism, as well as its exploration of the human condition.
By Charles Pierre Baudelaire · First published 1857 · Genre: Poetry, Symbolism, Gothic · 237 words
First lines
I'm like some king in whose corrupted veins Flows aged blood; who rules a land of rains; Who, young in years, is old in all distress; Who flees good counsel to find weariness Among his dogs and playthings, who is stirred Neither by hunting-hound nor hunting-bird; Whose weary face emotion moves no more E'en when his people die before his door. His favourite Jester's most fantastic wile Upon that sick, cruel face can raise no smile; The courtly dames, to whom all kings are good, Can lighten this young skeleton's dull mood No more with shameless toilets. In his gloom Even his lilied bed becomes a tomb. The sage who takes his gold essays in vain To purge away the old corrupted strain, His baths of blood, that in the days of old The Romans used when their hot blood grew cold, Will never warm this dead man's bloodless pains, For green Lethean water fills his veins.
What this Textopian page supports
Spleen is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Pierre Baudelaire, dated 1857 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Charles Pierre Baudelaire
- Date: 1857 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Symbolism, Gothic, Romanticism, Decadent
- Length: 237 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Spleen by Charles Pierre Baudelaire
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Spleen?
- How does this poem by Charles Pierre Baudelaire fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Poetry — This book by Baudelaire is largely constituted by poems, often dealing with introspective and personal themes, which positions it as a strong representative of the Poetry genre.
- Symbolism — Baudelaire is renowned for his use of symbols, and 'Spleen' also strongly employs symbolic language and metaphors, making Symbolism a notable genre associated with this work.
- Gothic — The dark, mystical and often macabre themes prevalent in many of the poems, as well as Baudelaire's focus on the supernatural and fantastic, are hallmarks of the Gothic genre.
- Romanticism — Baudelaire's emphasis on emotions, introspection, and nature throughout 'Spleen', aligns the work with the Romanticism genre.
Tags
melancholy · poetry · symbolism · urban · existentialism · beauty · decadence · nature · emotion · suffering · modernity · alienation