Don Juan In Hades

By Charles Baudelaire

Narrative Poem
    When Juan sought the subterranean flood,     And paid his obolus on the Stygian shore,     Charon, the proud and sombre beggar, stood     With one strong, vengeful hand on either oar.     With open robes and bodies agonised,     Lost women writhed beneath that darkling sky;     There were sounds as of victims sacrificed:     Behind him all the dark was one long cry.     And Sganarelle, with laughter, claimed his pledge;     Don Luis, with trembling finger in the air,     Showed to the souls who wandered in the sedge     The evil son who scorned his hoary hair.     Shivering with woe, chaste Elvira the while,     Near him untrue to all but her till now,     Seemed to beseech him for one farewell smile     Lit with the sweetness of the first soft vow.     And clad in armour, a tall man of stone     Held firm the helm, and clove the gloomy flood;     But, staring at the vessel's track alone,     Bent on his sword the unmoved hero stood.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem offers a rich, compelling tableau, drawing heavily from classical and literary allusions to create a vivid scene of the underworld. The protagonist, Juan, is paying his way onto Charon's boat, a reference to Greek mythology wherein Charon ferries souls across the River Styx into Hades. The poem's tone is somber, filled with despair and regret, as encapsulated in the "dark was one long cry" and the "chaste Elvira" beseeching for a farewell smile.

The structure of the poem, consisting of eight quatrains, allows for a progressive narrative that is almost cinematic in its unfolding. Characters like Sganarelle, Don Luis, and Elvira, who are borrowed from Molière's plays and the Don Juan legend, are presented in a manner that suggests they are part of Juan's past, a reflection of his actions and the consequences thereof. The use of vivid, emotive imagery, coupled with a sort of dramatic irony, paints a potent picture of guilt, suffering, and retribution. The final image of an "unmoved hero" staring at the "vessel's track alone" brings a sense of fatalistic resolve and resignation. The poem thus serves as a poignant exploration of regret, the inevitability of consequence, and the stoic acceptance of one's fate.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.