Baudelaire's Critique of Romanticism:
* Superficiality: He criticized what he saw as the superficial and sentimental aspects of Romanticism, particularly its focus on idealized nature, emotions, and the past. He believed it lacked true depth and intellectual rigor.
* Escapism: Baudelaire saw Romanticism as a form of escapism, an attempt to flee from the harsh realities of modern life and urban existence. He argued that true art should confront these realities head-on.
* Lack of Modernity: He felt Romanticism was outdated and unable to grapple with the complexities of modern society. He believed a new aesthetic was needed to capture the essence of the modern experience.
Baudelaire's Reinterpretation of Romanticism:
* Emphasis on the Individual: Baudelaire recognized the Romantic focus on the individual, but he reinterpreted it as a celebration of the "modern" individual, grappling with alienation, disillusionment, and the modern condition.
* Exploration of the Dark Side: He explored the darker aspects of human nature, including vice, sin, and the beauty found in the grotesque and the macabre. This contrasted with the idealized and often sanitized view of the human condition prevalent in much of Romanticism.
* Modernity and Beauty: Baudelaire argued that beauty could be found in the seemingly mundane and the ugliness of modern life, rejecting the traditional Romantic notions of beauty.
In essence, Baudelaire's view of Romanticism was a rejection of its superficiality and escapism while retaining some of its key themes, reinterpreting them through the lens of modern life and urban experience. He sought a "modern" aesthetic that embraced both the beauty and ugliness of the modern world, focusing on the individual and exploring the darker side of human nature.
Baudelaire's works, particularly "Les Fleurs du Mal" (Flowers of Evil), are a testament to his unique vision of Romanticism, a vision that profoundly influenced the development of Symbolism and modern art.