Poem Analysis - I Adore You As Much As The Nocturnal Vault

Introduction: A Dark and Contradictory Love

Charles Baudelaire's "I Adore You as Much as the Nocturnal Vault..." is a poem steeped in darkness, obsession, and a strangely masochistic form of love. The speaker expresses a profound adoration for a woman who is distant, cold, and even cruel. The poem's tone is initially one of intense reverence, but it quickly descends into a more disturbing and desperate yearning, revealing a complex and unsettling relationship dynamic.

The Elusive Object of Desire

One of the central themes of the poem is the unattainability of love. The woman the speaker adores is consistently described as distant and unreachable. The phrase "because you flee from me" and "multiply the leagues / That separate my arms from the blue infinite" highlights the deliberate distance she creates. This distance, paradoxically, fuels the speaker's obsession. The poem suggests that the speaker is drawn to her precisely because she is unattainable, creating a frustrating and ultimately self-destructive dynamic. The contrast between the speaker's fervent adoration and the woman's coldness emphasizes the disparity and imbalance in their relationship.

Darkness and Beauty Intertwined

The poem prominently features the theme of beauty found in darkness and suffering. The speaker describes the woman as a "vase of sadness" and acknowledges her "coldness," yet these are the very qualities that make her beautiful in his eyes. This aligns with Baudelaire's broader fascination with the macabre and the idea that beauty can emerge from decay and despair. The use of the image of the "nocturnal vault" also supports this theme of beauty in darkness.

Obsession: A Descent into Depravity

The poem explores the theme of destructive obsession, showcasing how love can morph into something unhealthy and degrading. The speaker compares himself to "a swarm of maggots after a cadaver," a graphic and disturbing image that highlights the desperate and almost parasitic nature of his adoration. This shocking simile reveals a self-awareness of his own degradation and the destructive nature of his pursuit. The line "cherish even that coldness which makes you more beautiful" further emphasizes his willingness to endure pain and humiliation in the name of love, revealing a deeply troubling level of obsession.

Symbols of Distance and Decay

Several key symbols contribute to the poem's overall impact. The "nocturnal vault" represents the vast, unknowable distance between the speaker and the object of his affection, as well as a generalized darkness of his heart. The image of "maggots after a cadaver" is a powerful symbol of decay and desperation, highlighting the speaker's willingness to debase himself in pursuit of love. The woman herself becomes a symbol of both beauty and cruelty, embodying the speaker's contradictory emotions. Considering the repeated emphasis on distance and the vastness of the "blue infinite," one might also ask: Is the object of the speaker's desire a real person, or an idealized figure existing only in his imagination, making his pursuit even more futile?

Concluding Thoughts: The Allure of the Void

In conclusion, "I Adore You as Much as the Nocturnal Vault..." is a disturbing yet compelling exploration of love, obsession, and the allure of darkness. Baudelaire masterfully uses vivid imagery and unsettling metaphors to depict a relationship defined by distance, pain, and a deep-seated sense of self-destruction. The poem suggests that love, when taken to its extreme, can become a form of torment, a relentless pursuit of an unattainable ideal that ultimately consumes the individual.