Biography of Arthur Rimbaud | Early Life and Poetic Prodigy - Relationship with Paul Verlaine - Later Life and Death of Arthur Rimbaud

Biography of Arthur Rimbaud:

Arthur Rimbaud (1854–1891) was a French poet known for his revolutionary and visionary approach to poetry. He played a significant role in the Symbolist movement and is considered one of the most influential figures in French literature. 

Early Life and Poetic Prodigy - Relationship with Paul Verlaine - Later Life and Death of Arthur Rimbaud
Biography of Arthur Rimbaud

Here is a brief biography of Arthur Rimbaud:

Early Life of Arthur Rimbaud:

1. Birth: Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud was born on October 20, 1854, in Charleville, Ardennes, France.
2. Family: He came from a middle-class family. His father, Frédéric Rimbaud, was an army captain, and his mother, Vitalie Cuif, was a strict and religious woman.

Poetic Prodigy:

1. Rimbaud demonstrated an early aptitude for poetry and began writing poems in his early teens.
2. At the age of 16, he wrote some of his most famous works, including "Le Bateau Ivre" ("The Drunken Boat").

Arthur Rimbaud's Relationship with Paul Verlaine:

1. Rimbaud's poetry drew the attention of the older poet Paul Verlaine.
2. The two poets developed a tumultuous and passionate relationship, which had a profound impact on Rimbaud's life and work.

Major Works:

1. "Le Bateau Ivre" ("The Drunken Boat") (1871): A celebrated poem that showcases Rimbaud's early mastery of symbolist poetry.
2. "Les Illuminations" (1886): A collection of prose poems that represents the culmination of Rimbaud's visionary and surreal style.

Symbolist Movement:

1. Rimbaud is often associated with the Symbolist movement, characterized by a focus on emotions, dreams, and the symbolic use of language.
2. His work challenged traditional poetic forms and explored themes of rebellion, spirituality, and the mysterious.

Arthur Rimbaud's Life of Wanderlust:

1. Rimbaud's restless spirit led him to travel extensively. He spent time in Paris, London, and various locations in Africa and the Middle East.
2. He worked in various jobs, including as a trader and a soldier.

End of Literary Career:

1. Rimbaud abruptly stopped writing poetry in his early twenties.
2. By the age of 21, he had essentially retired from literature and began a new life as a trader in Africa.

Later Life and Death of Arthur Rimbaud:

1. Rimbaud's later years were marked by health problems, including complications from injuries sustained while traveling in Africa.
2. He returned to France in 1891 and died on November 10, 1891, at the age of 37.

Legacy:

1. Despite his relatively short literary career, Rimbaud's impact on French poetry was profound.
2. His works, especially those from his adolescence, continue to be celebrated for their innovative use of language and symbolism.

Arthur Rimbaud's poetry continues to be studied and admired for its daring experimentation and influence on subsequent generations of poets. His life and work have contributed significantly to the development of modernist and symbolist literature.

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