Paul Verlaine Criticism
Paul Verlaine (1844-1896) stands as a central figure in the Symbolist movement of French poetry, recognized for his innovative manipulation of language and imagery. Often writing under the pseudonym Pablo de Herlagñez, Verlaine moved French poetry beyond the constraints of classical forms, integrating a fluid musicality and impressionistic imagery that sought to evoke emotions rather than explicitly describe them. This transformation is detailed in Visual and Spatial Imagery in Verlaine's Fêtes galantes, which examines his use of symbolic language blended with emotive undertones influenced by the painter Antoine Watteau.
Verlaine's literary career began with Poèmes saturniens, adhering initially to the Parnassian ideals. However, he soon transitioned to Symbolism with works like Fêtes galantes and Romances sans paroles, showcasing his ability to subtly suggest emotion through language. His later religious poetry further highlights his mastery of lyrical expression. Despite the chaotic nature of his personal life often overshadowing his work, Verlaine's contributions to French poetry are profound, particularly his efforts to liberate verse from technical rigidity, as discussed in Verlaine's Subversion of Language.
Debate surrounds Verlaine's place within literary movements, as he often resisted labels such as Decadent or Symbolist, preferring the term "degenerate" to capture his distinct approach. His poetry frequently captures the tension between spiritual and sensual elements, illustrating both a personal struggle and a unique genius. This duality, characterized by musicality and evocative power, is a recurring theme in Verlaine scholarship, as examined in The Summing-Up.
Critical engagement with Verlaine's work highlights his capacity to evoke profound emotion and mood, a hallmark of his poetic innovation. As noted by Henri Peyre, while Verlaine is often linked to both Symbolist and Impressionist movements, he defied simple categorization. His tumultuous life narrative complicates literary evaluations yet enriches the understanding of his work, as explored in Joanna Richardson's biography. His legacy as a transformative force in poetry, releasing French verse from rigid structures, is further documented by Enid Rhodes Peschel. Through these critical explorations, Verlaine remains celebrated for his sustained impact on literary history.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Verlaine, Paul (Nineteenth-Century Literary Criticism)
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Paul Verlaine
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Brereton briefly outlines Verlaine's artistic development and literary influence.
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Paul Verlaine
(summary)
In the following essay, Carter surveys Verlaine's career.
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Prince of Poets (1893-96)
(summary)
In the following excerpt from her seminal biography of Verlaine, Richardson discusses Verlaine's poetry in the context of his era.
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Verlaine and His Critics
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Chadwick traces the early critical reception of Verlaine's poetry.
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Verlaine's Decadent Manner
(summary)
Here, Stephan describes some decadent elements and themes in Verlaine's works.
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An introduction to Verlaine: Selected Poems
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Richardson provides a critical overview of Verlaine's verse, reputation, and contribution to literature.
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The Tragic Impressionism of Verlaine
(summary)
Peyre discusses stylistic aspects of Verlaine's verse that are frequently labeled symbolist and impressionist, highlighting the complexity and evolution of critical opinions regarding Verlaine's work.
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An introduction to Four French Symbolist Poets: Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Verlaine, Mallarmé
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Peschel presents a detailed analysis of two of Verlaine's poems, "Moonlight" and "Crimen Amoris," describing tensions that exist beneath the calm surface of the text.
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Impossible Lands: Themes in Fêtes galantes and Themes in Romances sans paroles
(summary)
Below, Taylor-Horrex analyzes the themes of love, active versus passive modes of loving, and irresponsibility versus responsibility in Verlaine's collections of verse Fêtes galantes and Romances sans paroles. In essence, Verlaine's poems treat the theme of the divided self: in Fêtes galantes the passive versus the active self, in Romances sans paroles the irresponsible versus the responsible self.
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Verlaine's Subversion of Language
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Porter comments on Verlaine's antilinguistic stance and subversion of language.
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Paul Verlaine
(summary)
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Verlaine, Paul (Poetry Criticism)
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The Summing-Up
(summary)
In the following essay, Carter provides an overview of Verlaine's poetic life.
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Verlaine and Yeats's A Dialogue of Self and Soul
(summary)
In the following essay, Revard explores the influence of Verlaine and the French Symbolists on William Butler Yeats's “A Dialogue of Self and Soul.”
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Visual and Spatial Imagery in Verlaine's Fêtes galantes
(summary)
In the following essay, Walker argues that the visual and spatial imagery in Fêtes galantes make that volume distinctive from Verlaine's other works of poetry.
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1884–85: Verlaine's Influence and Les Deliquescences d're Floupette
(summary)
In the following essay, Stephan examines Verlaine's influence on the movement of young Decadent poets.
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Verlaine's Verbal Sensation
(summary)
In the following essay, King examines the importance of grammar and verb choice to the meaning of Verlaine's poetry.
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Pantomime
(summary)
In the following essay, Whitmore discusses the irony of Verlaine's character studies in the poem “Pantomime.”
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Verlaine's Pierrots
(summary)
In the following essay, Storey explores the Pierrot figure in Verlaine's poetry.
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Introduction: Verlaine: Soulscapes of Quiet and Disquiet
(summary)
In the following essay, Peschel presents an overview of Verlaine's life and career.
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Familiar and Unfamiliar: Verlaine's Poetic Diction
(summary)
In the following essay, de Dobay Rifelj explores neoclassical diction in Verlaine's poetry.
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Rescuing a Sonnet of Verlaine: ‘L'Espoir Luit …’
(summary)
In the following essay, Cohn provides a close reading of Verlaine's sonnet “L'espoir luit. …”.
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Wooden Steeds
(summary)
In the following essay, Frank provides a brief explication of Verlaine's “Chevaux de bois.”
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Verlaine's Subversion of Language
(summary)
In the following essay, Porter questions the “musicality” of Verlaine's poetry and discusses his use of language, which makes the reader consider reality in new ways.
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Lyric Itineraries in Verlaine's ‘Almanach pour l'annee passee’
(summary)
In the following essay, Schultz explores the significance of “Almanach pour l'année passée” compared to the rest of Verlaine's poetic output.
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Verlaine's Romances sans paroles: The Inscription of Gender
(summary)
In the following essay, King discusses Verlaine's sexuality as it appears in the language of his poems.
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The Summing-Up
(summary)
- Further Reading