Charles Baudelaire
French · 19th century
French poet and essayist, a key figure in the development of modern poetry, known for Les Fleurs du mal.
Connection to Taylor Swift
Uncle Jerry identifies Baudelaire's poem L'Albatros as the positive counterpart to Coleridge's albatross, Taylor shifts from the ill-omen albatross to Baudelaire's 'prince of clouds' in the song's final chorus.
Notable Works
- Les Fleurs du mal, L'Albatros, Le Spleen de Paris
Appears in the Archive
Context within the Archive
L'Albatros
“I'm the albatross I swept in at the rescue”
Angela & Uncle Jerry note that in the final chorus, the song shifts from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner's negative albatross (ill omen) to Charles Baudelaire's more complimentary poem L'Albatros, in which the albatross is described as 'the prince of clouds.' This marks the song's reversal, Taylor transforms from being the bad-omen albatross of Coleridge to being the majestic, rescuing albatross of Baudelaire.