The Flowers of Evil, which T. S. Eliot called the greatest example of modern poetry in any language, shocked the literary world of nineteenth century France with its outspoken portrayal of lesbian love, its linking sexuality and death, its...
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The Flowers of Evil, which T. S. Eliot called the greatest example of modern poetry in any language, shocked the literary world of nineteenth century France with its outspoken portrayal of lesbian love, its linking sexuality and death, its unremitting irony, and its unflinching celebration of the seamy side of urban life. The volume was seized by the police, and Baudelaire and his published were put on trial for offence to public decency. Six offending poemswere banned, in a conviction that was not overturned until 1949.This bold new translation, which restores the banned poems to their original places and reveals the full richness and variety of the collection, makes available to English speakers a powerful and original version of the world. Jonathan Culler's Introduction outlines this vision, stressing that Baudelaire is more than just the poet of the modern city. Originally to be called `The Lesbians', The Flowers of Evil contains the most extraordinary body of love poetry. The poems also pose thequestion of the role of evil in our lives, of whether there are not external forces working to frustrate human plans and to enlist men and women on appalling or stultifying scenarios not of their own making. Cover -- Contents -- Introduction -- Note on the Text -- Select Bibliography -- A Chronology of Charles Baudelaire -- Translator's Preface -- THE FLOWERS OF EVIL -- To the Reader -- SPLEEN AND THE IDEAL -- 1. Benediction -- 2. The Albatross -- 3. Elevation -- 4. Correspondences -- 5. 'I love the thought. . .' -- 6. The Beacons -- 7. The Sick Muse -- 8. The Venal Muse -- 9. The Wretched Monk -- 10. The Enemy -- 11. Ill: Fortune -- 12. A Former Life -- 13. Gypsies Travelling -- 14. Man and the Sea -- 15. Don Juan in Hell -- 16. Punishment for Pride -- 17. Beauty -- 18. The Ideal -- 19. The Giantess -- 20. The Mask -- 21. Hymn to Beauty -- 21a. The Jewels -- 22. Exotic Perfume -- 23. Head of Hair -- 24. 'I love you as I love . . . -- 25. 'You'd entertain the universe ...' -- 26. Sed non satiata -- 27. 'The way her silky garments ...' -- 28. The Dancing Serpent -- 29. A Carcass -- 30. De profanais clamavi -- 31. The Vampire -- 31a. Lethe -- 32. 'Beside a monstrous Jewish whore . . . ' -- 33. Remorse after Death -- 34. The Cat -- 35. Duellum -- 36. The Balcony -- 37. The Possessed -- 38. A Phantom -- 39. 'I give to you these verses ...' -- 40. Semper eadem -- 41. Completely One -- 42. 'What will you say tonight...' -- 43. The Living Torch -- 43a. To One Who Is Too Cheerful -- 44. Reversibility -- 45. Confession -- 46. The Spiritual Dawn -- 47. The Harmony of Evening -- 48. The Flask -- 49. Poison -- 50. Misty Sky -- 51. The Cat -- 52. The Splendid Ship -- 53. Invitation to the Voyage -- 54. The Irreparable -- 55. Conversation -- 56. Autumn Song -- 57. To a Madonna -- 58. Song of the Afternoon -- 59. Sisina -- 60. Praises for My Francisca -- 61. For a Creole Lady -- 62. Mœsta et errabunda -- 63. The Ghost -- 64. Autumn Sonnet -- 65. Sorrows of the Moon -- 66. Cats -- 67. Owls -- 68. The Pipe -- 69. Music -- 70. Burial -- 71. A Fantastical Engraving.
