Endre Ady

In the beginning of the 20th century Hungarian poets were claiming to follow in the footsteps of Sándor Petőfi writing in an imitated folksy style yet lacking Petőfi's vision (and, mostly, talent) which was not able to renew itself. Ady was the first to break with the traditions and promote the new, modern style. Although he liked to see himself as a lonely, misunderstood revolutionary, in truth most of the poets of his generation took sides with him (and many of them imitated his style).

His first two books of poetry did not show anything new; he was still under the influence of 19th century poets such as Petőfi or János Vajda. The first elements of his own style appeared not in his poems but in his essays and other writings.

Ady was undoubtedly influenced by the works of Baudelaire and Verlaine. He often uses symbolism, his recurring themes are God, Hungary, and fight for survival. Other themes are present only in certain periods of his life (money, God, life and death, Léda).