Consonances between music, sea and abysmal interiority in Proust and Baudelaire

Abstract

Music, sea, and inner depth are central themes in the works of Marcel Proust and Charles Baudelaire, in which both authors employ metaphors to delve into the complexity of the human soul and the aesthetic experience. In À la recherche du temps perdu (1913-1927), Proust assigns music a prominent position in the narrative, highlighting its ability to evoke memories and deep emotions, acting as a catalyst for grasping the essence of being and time. The sonata and the septet of Vinteuil, in particular, become a symbol of this inner depth, compared to the sea for its fluidity and ability to envelop the human spirit. Correspondingly, Baudelaire, in his poem La musique (1857), draws on the image of the sea to represent the overwhelming power of music, capable of leading the poetic speaker on a riddling and intense inner journey. Through marine metaphors, Baudelaire captures the essence of the human spirit, revealing its passions and inner torments. In this paper, we will examine how both writers develop these themes, exploring the similarities between music, sea, depth, and their implications for human interiority.

Key Words: Marcel Proust; Charles Baudelaire; music; sea; metaphor.