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For those who care, here is a short thread about Verlaine and Rimbaud short-but-intense romance 
https://twitter.com/AkumaButler_/status/1318831916729180162
https://twitter.com/AkumaButler_/status/1318831916729180162
Arthur Rimbaud was 16 when he met the 26yo poet Paul Verlaine. At that time, Verlaine was already married with Mathilde Mauté. They met for the first time in July 1871. Here begins a romance who will destroy them both.
Fast enough, they are involved in a scandalous relationship. Bonded by their love for litterature of poetry, they join different Literary Circles in Paris, not caring about rumors and not caring either about Verlaine's wife.
[Painting of them at a meeting of La Parnasse, 1872]
![Fast enough, they are involved in a scandalous relationship. Bonded by their love for litterature of poetry, they join different Literary Circles in Paris, not caring about rumors and not caring either about Verlaine's wife. [Painting of them at a meeting of La Parnasse, 1872]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ek1xCqGWkAArNP1.jpg "Fast enough, they are involved in a scandalous relationship. Bonded by their love for litterature of poetry, they join different Literary Circles in Paris, not caring about rumors and not caring either about Verlaine's wife. [Painting of them at a meeting of La Parnasse, 1872]")
![Fast enough, they are involved in a scandalous relationship. Bonded by their love for litterature of poetry, they join different Literary Circles in Paris, not caring about rumors and not caring either about Verlaine's wife. [Painting of them at a meeting of La Parnasse, 1872]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ek1xCukWMAEhut4.jpg "Fast enough, they are involved in a scandalous relationship. Bonded by their love for litterature of poetry, they join different Literary Circles in Paris, not caring about rumors and not caring either about Verlaine's wife. [Painting of them at a meeting of La Parnasse, 1872]")
[Painting of them at a meeting of La Parnasse, 1872]
In this year of 1872, the two men inspire each other and live their love with all their hearts. For a time, Verlaine finds a way out of his addiction for alcohol and domestic violence while Rimbaud is clean of opium and other drugs.
At that time, Rimbaud writes some of the most beautiful verses ever written. He who is only 17 finds inspiration in this man 10 years oler than him. In July 1872, one year after their meeting, the men escape Paris and go to Belgium. That day, Rimbaud meets Mathilde, Verlaine's
wife, while she is sick in the street and looking for a doctor. "I was just going to your place!" He smiles, provocative. There, he persuades Verlaine to run away with him. Verlaine does not resist and leaves behind his wife and his new-born son.
During one year, the men travel from Belgium to England. This forbidden trip inspires them and allows them to live out of the closet and to love each other in broad daylight. In Belgium, Verlaine writes the famous "Romances sans paroles" (Songs without words)
In London, Rimbaud writes Voyelles (VOwels) his most famous poem. But their perfect tomance slowly turns to drama, especially since Rimbaud drinks a lot and becomes agressive. In July 1873, Verlaine goes back to his wife and son and Rimbaud writes the extremely famous
metaphor of sorrow : "Il pleure dans mon cĆur / Comme il pleut sur la ville" (Tears fall in my heart / As rain falls on the town)
At home, Verlaine threatens to kill himself if Mathilde does not forgive him. He buys a gun and goes to a bar to get drunk. Rimbaud joins him
At home, Verlaine threatens to kill himself if Mathilde does not forgive him. He buys a gun and goes to a bar to get drunk. Rimbaud joins him
and says he wants to break up. Verlaine uses the gun and shoots twice, only hurting the one he calls his Infernal Bridgegroom. (poem i Englsih here : http://www.practicalalchemy.com/FVirgin.htm )
Once again, as if he finds inspiration in every drama of their relationship, Rimbaud goes back
Once again, as if he finds inspiration in every drama of their relationship, Rimbaud goes back
home and writes. His writing alternates madness and depression. According to his sister, those times are tainted with screams and cry. "A Season in Hell" is born.
Away from him, Verlaine is locked in jail for the shooting. He converts to catholicism, and as soon as he is free
Away from him, Verlaine is locked in jail for the shooting. He converts to catholicism, and as soon as he is free
he runs to his lover, in 1875, in Germany. A last fight end their love and their relationship for good.
That year is the last year Rimbaud writes poetry. He is 21. (Yes, Rimbaud wrote all his masterpiece before 21)
For 10 years, Verlaine is unable to write a single word.
That year is the last year Rimbaud writes poetry. He is 21. (Yes, Rimbaud wrote all his masterpiece before 21)
For 10 years, Verlaine is unable to write a single word.
When Rimbaud dies 6 years later in 1891, even if they never met in the meantime, Verlaine looks for his unpublished works and fight to have them published. He dies 5 years later.
There end the destructive passion and creative love of the "Accursed Poets".
There end the destructive passion and creative love of the "Accursed Poets".
I'd like to add two things :
- I am not specialist of their story and this thread might contain errors.
- i am French and i NEVER heard about their homosexuality in class. I blame my teachers for being conservative and calling them "friends". They tried to erase one of the
- I am not specialist of their story and this thread might contain errors.
- i am French and i NEVER heard about their homosexuality in class. I blame my teachers for being conservative and calling them "friends". They tried to erase one of the
greatest love stories or all time.
Yet, their love made his way through time and space and their words remain.
Yet, their love made his way through time and space and their words remain.
