Addiction
Baudelaire explores the motivation of an addict chasing the psychedelic effect of his preferred drug. The insatiable feeling of smoking opium, hashish, and drinking wine follows Baudelaire to his tragic end. While drowning in his addiction, he does not fail to realize his downfall and degeneration. Baudelaire writes about his overbearing torment as an addict. Having to constantly chase the high becomes monotonous and the fun that once was turns into an ugliness that he cannot escape. The positive aspect of using these drugs is highlighted as the universal need for socializing and building communal ties.
Decadence
Serving as Baudelaire’s memoir, the text showcases the author’s life full of debauchery, violence, tragedy, addiction, opulence, and gross decadence leading up to his death. At the cost of his life, Baudelaire’s experiences became so grotesque that they consumed him. Unable to escape the artificial world he created, Baudelaire prematurely dies after being paralyzed by his deranged opium intake.
Enlightenment
The effects of these drugs offer a peek at the supposed ultimate level of existence whereby the user could experience a sense of utopia. Baudelaire captures his dreamy experiences while under the influence of hallucinogens. The visuals he describes are exquisitely defined and paired with benevolent delusions of grandeur, which opens up a world full of endless possibilities.
Baudelaire was on a suicide mission to discover and experience an unattainable level of insight. In death, there’s hope that he found what he desperately searched for his entire life. He argues that consuming these drugs were essential for him as a creative for stimulation and sheer inspiration. Baudelaire praises opium for its ability to boost intellectual capabilities. While it’s not designated as a means of seeking a higher understanding, it’s essential in providing a diverse range of artificial transcendence that makes everyday life seem like a walk in the park.
