Be Drunk by Charles Baudelaire: Poem Analysis

Charles Baudelaire is an interesting poet because he is very relatable, unlike many poets that we learn about. He hated school, he loved clothes, and he spent his days lounging around art galleries and cafes. He was kicked out of school right before graduation because he did not want to give up a note passed to him in class by his friend. He experimented with mostly all of the drugs available in his time. His stepfather, in the hopes of ending his self-indulgent behaviors, sent him to India. This trip only increased his love of the world, creativity, and art. He fell in love with a woman and was inspired to write love poems. He spent his money openly and freely and never worried about saving. He was seen as a “cursed poet” (poéte maudit) because his poems contained explicit sexual content; he did not necessarily see this as a negative criticism, but instead heightened his reputation by parading his quirks. By reading poems by Charles Baudelaire, we can gain a new look at life, one that we might have thought of before, but never really took action against. His poems make you want to change yourself, especially in his poem “Be Drunk.” “Be Drunk” is worth a read because Charles Baudelaire shows us the optimistic side of being drunk. He is moderately enthusiastic towards life in general. His main stance in this poem is persuading us that we should open ourselves up to all experiences in life that intoxicate us. We should let things in that rush our senses and overpower us, because being restricted to our own minute reality is depriving and dismal. He is clear in his thoughts that we should not waste our time doing things we do not truly appreciate. Baudelaire tries to communicate that the one proper way to live is to extemporaneously do what you enjoy doing and not doing things just because it brings you happiness in the materialistic way, as in money, fame, or other indulgences. He views drunkenness as a positive experience that we should all attain. In the line “