In the poetic works of Arthur Rimbaud, researchers saw deliberate illogicality and "fragmentation" of thought. His creative career did not last long. Having achieved fame, to which he reacted very coolly, Rimbaud moved away from poetry, becoming a simple sales agent and doing business in Ethiopia, far from his homeland.
From the biography of Arthur Rimbaud
The French poet Arthur Rimbaud was born on October 20, 1854 in Charleville, in northeastern France. He was the second child in the family of Captain Frederic Rimbaud and Maria Catherine Vitali, who came from an ordinary peasant family.
When the boy was four years old, Frederick left his wife and his five children. From a young age, Rimbaud experienced hardship and want. He diligently attended classes in elementary school, and in 1856 entered college. Within a year, the boy mastered a two-year training program. Even then, Rimbaud showed an interest in poetry. He created his first poem in 1869. At the age of 15, Rimbaud received a prize for an essay composed in Latin.
Since 1870, Arthur has been mastering the craft of poetry from his teacher and mentor Georges Izambard. By the age of sixteen, Rimbaud was already the author of two dozen poetic works. Some of his works have been published in the journal Contemporary Parnassus.
In his youth, Arthur was prone to vagrancy. He ran away from home more than once and traveled to France and Belgium. In 1871 he was seen on the barricades of the Paris Commune. During that period, he became addicted to alcoholic beverages. Relatives have repeatedly condemned Rimbaud, reproaching him for his disregard for moral norms.
In September 1871, Arthur sent samples of his compositions for review to Paul Verlaine, one of the founders of literary symbolism. He was delighted and immediately invited the young man to Paris. The young man settled in Verlaine's apartment. Conflicts arose between them more than once - Rimbaud did not want to obey the routine established in the house. After wandering around the houses of his acquaintances, Rimbaud stopped at an apartment that Verlaine rented for him.
Rimbaud's life path
In 1873, Rimbaud published a collection of poetry, dedicated to Verlaine. Two years later, Arthur completed work on the Illumination cycle.
The last time Rimbaud met Paul Verlaine was in 1875. It was in Stuttgart, Germany. The meeting ended with a break in relations. Rimbaud persisted in his convictions, which were at odds with the views of Verlaine, and was not going to admit his mistakes in life.
The last years of his life, Arthur Rimbaud spent in wanderings. During this period, he almost completely abandoned his poetry studies.
In May 1876, the poet went to serve in the Dutch colonial army. His service was held in a small town on the island of Java in Indonesia. Here Rimbaud spent two years, after which he returned to France. He subsequently took a job as a stone quarry dispatcher in Cyprus. In 1880, Rimbaud was an agent of one of the trading firms. He had to trade in spices, coffee, porcelain. Researchers of his biography believe that during these years Arthur was involved in the illegal supply of weapons to Ethiopia.
At the same time, the name of the French poet became widely known in his homeland. The Illumination cycle has cemented Arthur Rimbaud's reputation as a true genius. However, the genius himself was cool about the news of the glory that overtook him. He still led a hectic life.
Rimbaud's health deteriorated every year. In 1891, knee pains began to bother him. Doctors in Marseille diagnosed Arthur with a disappointing diagnosis: bone cancer. In May of the same year, Rimbaud had his leg amputated. After this painful operation, the poet wanted to return to Africa. However, he did not have time to implement his plan: on November 10, 1891, Rimbaud died in Paris. His ashes rest in the family cemetery of his hometown.
