Born in Metz in 1844, Paul Verlaine can be described as the first "cursed poet". He himself coined this expression to describe himself as a misunderstood artist who rejects the values of society and adopts a provocative and self-destructive behaviour. This major figure of 19th century literature, whose life was as tormented as his works are non-conformist, is today a must in French literature.
Passionate about literature, particularly the poet Baudelaire and Victor Hugo, Paul Verlaine began writing poems and short stories at a very young age. His poems quickly distinguished itself and departs from the canons of poetry of his time.
Verlaine, who was particularly fond of popular songs, opted for a sometimes dissonant poetry where the use of slang and prose is recurrent in his works.
He then joined the Parnassian movement, which promoted "art for art's sake".
His avant-garde work is accompanied by a provocative way of life, even in his social life. Indeed, He is known for his sulphurous love affairs and in particular his much criticized relationship (at the time) with Arthur Rimbaud, another great French poet of the 19th century.
When they met, Rimbaud was 17 years old, 10 years younger than Verlaine. Very quickly charmed by the young man's insolence, Verlaine begins a friendly relationship with him which gradually turns into a tumultuous love affair. Already married, he abandons his wife to follow his lover to England. After a few years of living together lulled by alcohol and frequent altercations, one fight too many marks the end of their relationship: Verlaine shoots Rimbaud twice and hits him on the wrist! The poet will be locked up in prison in Belgium for two years.
Alcoholic, sick, he died in Paris a few years later, leaving to French literature his famous Saturnian poems, a colection still studied today.
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Marie de Comme des Français
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