Poem Analysis - On By Eugene Delacroix

Introduction: A Portrait of Creative Suffering

Charles Baudelaire's "On Delacroix" (specifically referencing Delacroix's painting of Tasso in prison) is a powerful meditation on the plight of the creative soul. The poem paints a grim picture of a poet imprisoned, not just physically, but also by the limitations and harsh realities of the world. The poem's tone is initially despairing and claustrophobic, gradually shifting toward a recognition of this suffering as a universal condition of the artistic spirit. It is filled with rich, disturbing imagery that conveys a sense of mental and emotional torment.

Imprisonment and Isolation of the Artistic Spirit

A central theme of the poem is the imprisonment of the artistic spirit. The opening lines immediately establish this: "The poet in the dungeon, sickly and unkempt." This physical confinement becomes a metaphor for the limitations placed upon the poet's imagination and creative expression by the constraints of reality. The "stairway of vertigo" represents the descent into madness or despair that the artist faces when confronted with these limitations. The phrase "Soul with the obscure dreams, / Whom Reality stifles inside its four walls!" explicitly connects the poet's literal imprisonment to the stifling effect of reality on the creative soul.

The Torment of Doubt and Fear

The poem vividly portrays the torment of doubt and fear that plagues the artist. The "intoxicating laughs" and "hideous and multiform" fear suggest the psychological torment and the constant battle against self-doubt that the creative individual experiences. These forces "invite his reason to the strange and the absurd," highlighting the precariousness of the artist's mental state and the temptation to succumb to madness. The phrases "Doubt surrounds him and ridiculous Fear" and "grimaces, those cries, that swarm of ghosts" demonstrate how such fears manifest themselves and become the artist's tormentors. The use of "blurred" to describe Doubt and Terror adds to the idea that is is often difficult to distinguish what exactly one is scared of, adding to the torment of the prisoner.

The Power and Burden of Imagination

Another prominent theme is the ambiguous nature of imagination. While imagination is the source of the poet's genius, it also contributes to his suffering. The "obscure dreams" are both a source of inspiration and a burden, as they clash with the "four walls" of reality. The image of the poet "Rolling a manuscript under his convulsed foot" suggests a frustration and rejection of his own work, perhaps stemming from the feeling that it cannot adequately capture the visions in his mind or that it is being rejected by the world. The "dreamer wakened by the horror of his lodgings" indicates that even in the realm of dreams, the artist is not free from torment.

Recurring Imagery: Stairs, Walls and Grotesque Figures

The poem is rich in recurring symbols and vivid imagery. The stairway is not a path upward but rather a "stairway of vertigo," suggesting a descent into madness or despair. The walls represent the confining forces of reality and societal expectations. The grotesque figures—"grimaces, those cries, that swarm of ghosts"—symbolize the artist's inner demons and the external forces that seek to undermine his creativity. These images work together to create a claustrophobic and disturbing atmosphere that reflects the artist's psychological state. The ambiguity of whether the figures are real or purely in the mind of the poet also provides a point of discussion about the reliability of reality itself.

Conclusion: The Enduring Symbolism of Artistic Suffering

In conclusion, Baudelaire's "On Delacroix" is a powerful exploration of the suffering and isolation inherent in the artistic experience. The poem uses vivid imagery and symbolic language to convey the torment of a creative soul trapped between the boundless realm of imagination and the limiting confines of reality. The poem's enduring significance lies in its portrayal of the artist as a figure both blessed and cursed by their unique vision, forever struggling against the forces that seek to silence or distort it. The poem can be read as a commentary of the struggles of the poet himself, showing his own difficulties in creating art.