Balladeer’s Blog resumes its examination of the macabre 1868 French language work The Songs of Maldoror.
I SALUTE YOU, ANCIENT OCEAN
The supernatural figure Maldoror reflects on his fascination with the ocean. He reminds readers that he is a monster and that his hideous face doesn’t come close to matching the ugliness of his soul. His demented reflections on the nature of the ocean follow, along with the oft-repeated line “I salute you, ancient ocean”. (“Je te salue, vieil ocean”)
Per his perverse nature Maldoror’s attempt to sing the praises of the ocean can’t help but be couched in eerie and disturbing imagery. He longs to lie beside the ocean in the tentacles of an affectionate octopus as the two kindred spirits admire the waves and the watery vastness. Continue reading
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