Reading Response To Romanticism And Baudelaire's Poem

Reading Response To Romanticism And Baudelaires Poem To The Reader

Reading Response to Romanticism and Baudelaire's poem, "To the Reader" (1857). How does the romantic poet Baudelaire depict opposites/opposed pairs (such as pleasure and guilt, good and evil) in the poem? Why are the poet and the reader drawn to two conflicting desires (e.g. "clandestine joys")? Does Baudelaire view the poet's/the reader's inner conflicts of having opposite desires negatively? What do you think Baudelaire is trying to convey through coexisting yet conflicting desires within the poet and his reader? Why does the poet call Boredom a "beast"? Does the poet connect the beast/ Boredom to the root cause of the human's evil desires, or does he view Boredom/the monster as a negative force that stirs humans to act? Does Baudelaire deny the negative side (e.g. evil thoughts such as immoral thoughts and behaviors) within the opposed pairs, or does he view it as inherent in man's nature, complementing the opposite pair? Why does the poet-speaker call the reader his "twin"? Please make sure that your analysis of the poem is logically connected and supported by textual evidence (at least two direct quotes).

Paper For Above instruction

Baudelaire's "To the Reader" exemplifies the Romantic fascination with the duality of human nature by vividly depicting opposed pairs such as good and evil, pleasure and guilt, and inspiration and boredom. Throughout the poem, Baudelaire explores how these conflicting desires coalesce within the human psyche, making the individual both a creator and a sinner. The poet depicts opposites like "good" and "bad/evil thoughts" as intrinsic to human existence, emphasizing that "Our sins are stubborn" (line 5), illustrating the persistent nature of man's darker impulses. Baudelaire suggests that the poet and reader are inevitably drawn to "clandestine joys" because these forbidden pleasures fulfill a need for excitement and escape, despite their moral ambiguity. This attraction to contrasting impulses reflects the Romantic glorification of emotional depth and inner conflict. In his portrayal, Baudelaire does not view these conflicts as purely negative but as an essential aspect of human vitality. He seems to imply that these opposing desires are what make life intensely complex and meaningful. The poet's description of Boredom as a "beast" symbolizes the destructive force that feeds human evil—an insatiable monster that stirs the soul towards immoral acts and existential despair. Baudelaire appears to see Boredom not simply as a negative trait but as a primal force that underpins human depravity, suggesting that the beast's hunger is an inherent part of our nature. The poem hints that evil is woven into the fabric of the human condition, an inevitable divergence from virtue rather than a mere consequence of external circumstances. In calling the reader his "twin," Baudelaire underscores the profound kinship between artist and audience, asserting that both are bound by these shared internal conflicts and dualities. This closeness emphasizes that the struggles between opposing desires are universal, shaping the human experience at its core. Overall, Baudelaire's depiction of these opposites reveals a recognition that complexity and inner turmoil are intrinsic to human identity, challenging simplistic notions of morality and emphasizing the vital role of contradiction in art and life.

References

1. Baudelaire, Charles. "To the Reader." In Les Fleurs du Mal, 1857.
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