Poem-a-Day

Charles Baudelaire: “Obsession”

4 snips
Jul 19, 2025
Dive into the haunting world of Charles Baudelaire's 'Obsession.' Explore the intense themes of existential angst and the intricate relationship with nature. Vivid imagery comes alive as the emotional depth of his poetry is unraveled. Discover how Baudelaire's perspective challenges the notion that poetry needs to fit into moral or scientific boundaries, offering listeners a unique lens to view the art form.
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INSIGHT

Nature Mirrors Inner Anguish

  • Baudelaire's poem uses nature's vastness to mirror inner anguish and memory.
  • The sea, forest, and night become echoes of the poet's haunted soul.
INSIGHT

Poetry Exists For Itself

  • Baudelaire insists poetry is not a vehicle for systematic truth or moral teaching.
  • He argues poetry exists for itself and resists assimilation to science or didacticism.
INSIGHT

Poet As Persuasive Temperament

  • Translators and commentators show a poet can disseminate ideas without being a theoretician.
  • Baudelaire's power lies in temperament and expressive force rather than systematic argument.
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