Golden Age
Arthur Rimbaud’s “Golden Age” is a complex and surreal poem that displays his unique style of breaking traditional poetic structures and playing with vivid imagery, tone and moods In this case he explores themes of identity, family, madness, his disillusionment with the world and the intersection of light and darkness. To better understand the “Golden Age,” break it down line by line, focusing on its points, symbolic and emotional undercurrents.
Stanza 1:
"One of the voices
Always angelic -
It is about me, -
Sharply expresses itself:"
The poem begins with a voice described as “always angelic”. This establishes the opening tone of the poem as heavenly and otherworldly as if the tone were from a divine or spiritual source. By saying, “It’s about me,” the speaker draws attention to himself. The voice is personal, it refers to the speaker, and the “sharpness” of his face suggests that he is delivering a cutting or persuasive message.
This voice can be interpreted as a kind of inner voice or conscience, or perhaps an external figure addressing the speaker, revealing truths about their identity or situation.
Stanza 2:
"Those thousand questions
Spreading their roots
Bring in the end,
Only drunkenness and madness;
Understand this trick"
Here, Rimbaud introduces a sense of confusion and existential questioning. The “thousand questions” symbolize the overwhelming nature of life’s uncertainties, as these questions “spread their roots,” suggesting that they infiltrate the speaker’s mind and life. However, these questions ultimately lead to “only drunkenness and madness.”Ultimately this means that the endless search for answers can only lead to chaos and loss of power.
The phrase “understand this trick” refers to a central theme in the poem: recognizing that the complexities and fantasies of life are in some way a game of deception or illusion can be the way people use them self-concept or are caught by them critical abstractions of existence.
Stanza 3:
"So gay, so easy:
It is only wave, only flower,
And that is your family!
Then it sings."
The tone shifts here to one of lightness and ease. The repetition of “so gay, so easy” emphasizes an almost carefree attitude toward life, in contrast to the earlier existential confusion. The imagery of “wave” and “flower” evokes natural beauty and transience. Waves and flowers are delicate, fleeting elements of nature, suggesting that life itself is simple and ephemeral if approached with the right mindset.
The phrase “that is your family” can be interpreted symbolically: the wave and flower are seen as representatives of the speaker’s larger “family,” or connection to the natural world. The speaker’s sense of identity and belonging seems to be tied to this simplicity and fluidity, rather than the chaos of human existence.
Stanza 4:
"O So gay, so easy,
And visible to the naked eye...
Rimbaud continues to emphasize the joy and ease of life, repeating the refrain “so gay, so easy.” The fact that this lightness is “visible to the naked eye” suggests that the simplicity of life’s beauty is apparent and clear, if one chooses to see it. The speaker identifies with this lightness, joining in the song of ease and acceptance.
Stanza 5:
I sing with it, -
Understand this trick"
However, the repetition of “understand this trick” brings a sense of irony to the situation. This suggests that, despite the apparent joy and ease of life, there is still an underlying illusion or deception at play. The speaker is aware of the trick, but chooses to engage in the joy regardless.
Stanza 6:
"And then a voice -
How angelic it is! -
It is about me,
Sharply expresses itself:"
The angelic voice returns, again addressing the speaker directly. The voice is described as “sharp,” which contrasts with its angelic nature, indicating that while the voice may seem divine or pure, its message is intense or jarring. This suggests a moment of clarity or confrontation, where the speaker must face a deeper truth about themselves or their existence.
Stanza 7:
"And sings at this moment
Like a sister to breath:
With a German tone,
But ardent and full:"
Here, the voice is likened to “a sister to breath,” which implies a natural, intimate connection, as breathing is fundamental to life. The “German tone” could symbolize something disciplined, structured, or serious, as Germany was often associated with philosophical rigor and intellectualism during Rimbaud’s time. The voice is “ardent and full,” suggesting that while it carries a serious tone, it is also passionate and emotionally charged.
Stanza 8:
"The world is vicious;
If that surprises you!
Live and leave to the fire
Dark misfortune."
The angelic voice offers a critique of the world, calling it “vicious.” This word implies that the world is cruel, corrupt, and filled with suffering. The exclamation “if that surprises you!” adds a layer of irony or sarcasm, as though the speaker is expected to already know this truth. The voice advises the speaker to “live and leave to the fire / Dark misfortune,” which suggests a nihilistic or fatalistic view: the speaker should continue living, but allow misfortune and suffering to be consumed by fire, symbolizing destruction or purification.
This can be interpreted as a call to accept the harsh realities of life and to let go of the burdens of misfortune, rather than becoming consumed by them.
Stanza 9:
"O! pretty castle!
How bright your life is!
What age do you belong to,
Princely nature
Of our elder brother!"
This stanza introduces the image of a “pretty castle,” which could represent an idealized or romanticized version of life or the speaker’s vision of a past “Golden Age.” The castle’s “bright” life contrasts with the viciousness of the world, suggesting that the speaker yearns for a return to a time of innocence, beauty, and nobility. The “elder brother” may represent an idealized figure of wisdom or leadership, embodying the princely virtues of a lost era.
Stanza 10:
"I also sing: Many sisters! voices
Not at all public!
Surround me
With chaste glory... etc..."
The speaker joins in the song once again, surrounded by “many sisters” whose voices are “not at all public.” This suggests that these voices are intimate, private, and perhaps spiritual in nature. The phrase “chaste glory” adds a sense of purity and honor to these voices, contrasting with the earlier description of the world as vicious.
The “many sisters” may symbolize different aspects of the speaker’s identity or consciousness, or they could represent a sense of community or connection with others who share in this deeper, spiritual understanding of life.
Themes and Symbolism
1. Duality of Lightness and Darkness
Rimbaud plays with the tension between lightness (represented by the repeated refrain “so gay, so easy”) and darkness (the viciousness of the world, drunkenness, and madness). This duality reflects the complexities of life: while it can be simple and beautiful, it is also filled with suffering and confusion.
2. The Trick of Life
The repeated phrase “understand this trick” suggests that life itself is an illusion or game. Rimbaud seems to be saying that life’s beauty and ease are deceptive, masking the underlying chaos and madness. Yet, the speaker chooses to embrace the trick, joining in the song of lightness despite knowing the darker truths.
3. Voices and Identity
The multiple voices in the poem—both angelic and critical—represent different facets of the speaker’s consciousness. These voices seem to guide the speaker through moments of revelation and confrontation with the truths of existence. The interplay of these voices reflects the inner conflict between innocence and disillusionment, between light and darkness.
4. The Family of Nature
The speaker’s connection to the wave and the flower as “family” suggests a deep identification with the natural world. This symbolizes a desire to return to simplicity, to be part of something pure and fleeting, rather than being caught up in the viciousness of the human world.
5. Nostalgia for a Golden Age
The image of the “pretty castle” and the reference to the “elder brother” represent a yearning for a lost Golden Age—a time of purity, nobility, and peace. This idealized vision contrasts sharply with the viciousness and suffering of the modern world.
Conclusion
Arthur Rimbaud’s “Golden Age” is a multi-layered poem that explores the dualities of life—light and darkness, simplicity and madness, innocence and illusion through vivid imagery and voice communication on Let me think The structure of the poem lies invisible, . the changing nature of reality as Rimbaud sees it through repeated interruptions and transcendent changes of tone
