When you’re in the midst of people who cannot appreciate your creativity, your uniqueness, which can thrive, starts to become your burden. Just as how the gigantic wings soar high up the sky causes discomfort and becomes clumsy while on ground. This truly means even the right place is required to shine. Before diving into the topic, Charles Baudelaire’s L’Albatros as a poem of metaphor, first let’s get introduced to its writer. He is known for finding beauty in perversion.
Charles Baudelaire being a poet of the Decadent Movement, which beautifies things in different ways that we cannot even think of. It came out of self-disgust, sickness of the world, skepticism, and so found delight in perversion.
Baudelaire had a different view and thinking of the world. So his writings were opposed to the Bourgeois society he lived in. He had romanticism and realism in his poems and dealt with themes like death. Also, sex, lesbianism, urban corruption, loss of innocence, etc. The bourgeois society only had to do with capitalism and so couldn’t appreciate any other form of art. As literature always paves the way for self-expression, he did so about himself, but metaphorically in the poem L’Albatros.
The metaphorical bird
A metaphor is a rhetorical device (1.2) used in literary works to enhance or convey comparison of one thing with another. Of course, without the use of “like” or “as”. In the realm of literature, metaphors have always been a powerful tool for conveying complex emotions, societal critiques, and philosophical reflections. One such striking example is Charles Baudelaire’s poem L’Albatros. We well know about the mythical bird Albatross, a large seabird that is used mostly as a kind of symbol in literary works. In Charles Baudelaire’s L’Albatros, apart from the juxtapositions and other symbols in the poem, the greatest metaphor in the poem is the majestic bird Albatross itself.
The poem is the juxtaposition of good and evil. Which is metaphorically explained by the bird itself in its two forms: one as his strength and the other weakness. When it soars in the sky, it is beautiful, majestic, and sublime, who is glorified. Its big wings mesmerize us, and it owns the position of respect. However, when on land, the same majestic bird is crippled, clumsy, made ugly, and shamed as it gets helpless and cannot bear the burden of his own wings. His beauty is no more appreciated when down. Once a “tempest” is mocked.
Symbols in Charles Baudelaire’s “L’Albatros”
This poem reproduces the situation of alienation of an exalted person from society (crowd). Just as the majestic bird Albatross is left all alone among the sailors, so is the poet in his society.
It is clearly metaphorical that the crowd, i.e., society, can be the obstacle to the realization of the value of art. Or else how can a beautiful and sublime creature be mocked!
Society fails to be pleased with the glory of beauty and only seeks ways of entertainment. Similarly, like the “gigantic wings”, one’s greatest blessing can even become a curse for him. A reason for ridicule and criticism.
The albatross flying high up in the sky alone signifies true freedom can only be found in solitude and harmony with oneself. In general, the idea of the poem showcases the author’s position in relation to society and life, making L’Albatros a poem of metaphor. Whoever gained freedom from the filthiness of reality got caught in the hands of cruel amusements.
Baudelaire or Albatross?
Baudelaire metaphorically represents himself in the form of the bird Albatross, once again making L’Albatros a poem of metaphor. In the poem, he compares his position to the juxtaposition of the two states of the bird. Baudelaire’s poems were regarded as scandalous, and some were even banned and charged with immorality by the government. He claimed himself as a romantic poet, but, according to the people, he did not fulfil its criteria. He thought he was among the high-ranked poets, as he had that artistic innovation in him. Just as how large wings are owned by Albatross.
The Albatross as a metaphor for Alienation
“L’Albatros” is not just a commentary on the artist’s plight but also a broader metaphor for alienation in society. The albatross, which is majestic in the sky, becomes clumsy and awkward when it gets among the sailors. It represents the masses that fail to recognize its true value. This shows how individuals with unique perspectives or talents often feel isolated in society. Baudelaire highlights the pain of being misunderstood, mocked, or even rejected by own people who should admire and support creativity and innovation.
The poem also identifies how societal norms and expectations can pervert grasps of beauty and talent. The albatross, once a symbol of grace and freedom, when removed from its natural element, becomes ugly and laughable. In the same way, artists and intellectuals are viewed as outcasts when they do not conform to societal standards. Baudelaire’s metaphor suggests that society often fails to appreciate the true value of art, beauty, and individuality. Instead, prefers to focus on superficial forms of entertainment and conformity.
Conclusion: The Poet’s Burden
Charles Baudelaire’s L’Albatros draws a strong image of the artist’s struggle in a world that does not always appreciate or understand creativity. Through the metaphor of the albatross, Baudelaire identifies the tension between the artist’s potential for greatness and the burden of being misunderstood by society. The albatross, like the poet, is majestic in its natural element. But, clumsy and vulnerable on the ground, where its unique qualities are mocked rather than celebrated.
Baudelaire’s work remains a testament to the enduring struggle for artistic freedom and the often painful experience of standing out in a world that values sameness over uniqueness. In the end, the poem serves as an intense reminder of the importance of finding the right place to shine. Just as The Albatross belongs in the sky, artists and visionaries must seek environments where their talents are recognized and appreciated.