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Jean MoreasFrench poet
Date of Birth: 15.04.1856
Country:  France |
Content:
- Jean Moréas: A Pivotal Figure in French Modernist Poetry
- Symbolism and the "Manifesto of Symbolism"
- "La Plume" and the "Romanesque School"
- Influence of the "French Clarity"
- "Les Stances" and Later Works
- Legacy
Jean Moréas: A Pivotal Figure in French Modernist Poetry
Early Life and EducationBorn in 1891, Jean Moréas was a French poet of Greek descent. Raised by a judge, he left Greece for Paris in 1875. Despite initially studying law at the Sorbonne, his true passion lay in literature.
Symbolism and the "Manifesto of Symbolism"
In his early works, including "Les Syrtes" (1884) and "Les Cantilènes" (1886), Moréas emerged as a prominent Symbolist poet. He is credited with coining the term "Symbolism" itself, which he further elaborated in his influential "Manifesto of Symbolism" (1886).
"La Plume" and the "Romanesque School"
In 1891, Moréas became editor of the literary journal "La Plume." It was through this platform that he founded the "Romanesque School," a movement that marked the return to neoclassicism in French poetry.
Influence of the "French Clarity"
Moréas advocated for a return to the "French clarity" lost in Symbolism. He encouraged poets to emulate the clarity and precision of Renaissance and 17th-century poetry, particularly that of the "Pléiade" group.
"Les Stances" and Later Works
Moréas's most significant work, "Les Stances" (1899-1901), comprises seven books of poetry. These works further solidified his reputation as a leading figure in French modernism. Throughout his later career, he continued to write neoclassical-inspired poetry, exploring themes of love and the Greek past.
Legacy
Jean Moréas's innovations in Symbolism and the "Romanesque School" had a profound impact on French poetry. His work remains an important testament to the fluidity and diversity of the modernist era. His emphasis on clarity and tradition served as a significant counterpoint to the more experimental and subjective tendencies of Symbolism.
