“With heart at rest I climbed the citadel'sSteep height, and saw the city as from a tower,Hospital, brothel, prison, and such hells,Where evil comes up softly like a flower.Thou knowest, O Satan, patron of my pain,Not for vain tears I went up at that hour;But like an old sad faithful lecher, fainTo drink delight of that enormous trullWhose hellish beauty makes me young again.Whether thou sleep, with heavy vapors full,Sodden with day, or, new appareled, standIn gold-laced veils of evening beautiful,I love thee, infamous city! Harlots andHunted have pleasures of their own to give,The vulgar herd can never understand.”
Charles Baudelaire's Poem "The Seven Old Men"
In this excerpt from Charles Baudelaire's poem "The Seven Old Men," the speaker reflects on the city as a place of both beauty and corruption. The language used is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a city filled with temptation and sin. The speaker's conflicted feelings towards the city are palpable, as they are drawn to its dark allure despite knowing its dangers.
Quote Analysis
In this poem by Charles Baudelaire, the speaker explores the complex and contradictory nature of urban life, particularly in the city of Paris. The speaker describes the city as a place filled with diverse experiences, from the beauty of the architecture to the darkness of its underbelly. The use of imagery, such as comparing the city to a hospital, brothel, and prison, illustrates the multifaceted aspects of city life. Additionally, the speaker's relationship with the city is portrayed as both twisted and passionate, with a sense of longing and desire for the alluring yet destructive qualities of urban existence. The speaker's admiration for the city's beauty, even amidst its corruption, reveals a fascination with the dichotomy of pleasure and pain that the city has to offer.
Modern Relevance of Charles Baudelaire's Poem
In his poem, Charles Baudelaire explores the complex relationship between pleasure and pain, sin and desire, in the city environment. The speaker's contrasting emotions towards the city, from admiration to disgust, reflect the modern struggle of navigating a world filled with temptation and corruption. This dichotomy of urban life continues to resonate with contemporary audiences, who often find themselves grappling with similar existential questions and inner conflicts.
Reflection Questions:
Upon reading this poem by Charles Baudelaire, one is struck by the raw and provocative imagery used to describe the city and its inhabitants. The speaker's complex relationship with the city, embodying both disgust and desire, raises questions about human nature and the nature of sin. Consider the following reflection questions:
How does the speaker's portrayal of the city as a combination of "hospital, brothel, prison, and such hells" reflect his own inner turmoil and conflict?
In what ways does the speaker's relationship with the city mirror his relationship with Satan, as described in the poem?
What do you think the speaker means when he describes the city's "hellish beauty" as making him "young again"? How does this tie into his overall perception of the city?
How does Baudelaire's use of imagery and language contribute to the themes of temptation, desire, and the darker aspects of human experience in this poem?
How does the speaker's perspective on the city's inhabitants, specifically harlots and the hunted, challenge traditional notions of sin and morality?
Take some time to reflect on these questions and consider how they illuminate the deeper meanings and themes present in Charles Baudelaire's evocative poem.
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