The World of

Baudelaire FREN 493-01 / 586-01 Fall 2012

Wed.

4:30-7:00

Dr. Hamrick hamrick@slu.

edu

To  read  Baudelaire  is  to  discover  not  only  a  poet  of  international  acclaim,  but  the  entire  human  condition.  In  Baudelaire's  world,  thought,  art,  passion,  spirituality,  and  perversity  intertwine.  Beggars,  clowns,  and  streetwalkers  live  side  by  side  with  lovers,  concertgoers,  and  Parisian  deities.    

           In  this  course,  students  explore  the  multi-­‐dimensional  aspect  of  this  complex  universe  so  grippingly  evoked  in  Baudelaire's  writings,  including  reflections  on  human  nature  and  morality,  the  role  of  women  and  of  art,  the  plight  of  society's  victims,  and  the  dynamics  and  drama  of  life  in  the  French  capital.    

Texts:    (these  editions  are  required)   Les Fleurs du Mal. Classiques de Poche; Le Spleen de Paris. Classiques de Poche; Ecrits sur l'art. Classiques de Poche; Dictionnaire portatif du bachelier. Profil, Hatier. Format: Active participation, short papers, mid-term and final exams, final paper. Format: active discussion and analysis of crucial texts, presentation, mid-term, final. For book list: see Banner, under courses FREN 493-01 or FREN 586-01.

The World of Baudelaire as reflected in Edouard Manet’s Concert aux Tuileries. Baudelaire’s profile is seen just above the blue bonnet on the left hand side.