The romantic adventures in Alcools by Guillaume Apollinaire

This study explores the way in which the collection “Alcools” by Guillaume Apollinaire manages to capture and symbolize both urban excitement and village tranquility. How do these contrasting settings contribute to the decline of the main characters of the poems analyzed in the work?

It is interesting to explore the poet's romantic relationships and understand the reasons why he was "unloved". This collection poignantly reflects the state of mind of this man for whom life seems to be a succession of torments.

The collection Alcools takes us into different periods of Apollinaire's eventful life. Among these, we can distinguish a key period, that of 1903 to 1905, nicknamed the Unloved, which evokes Apollinaire's trips to London and his thwarted love for Annie Playden, refusing to marry her.

Then comes the period spanning from 1909 to 1912, marked by two major themes: Marie Laurencier and the bustling life of the Parisian city.

During the war, the poet juggles the affections of several young women through a turbulent romantic correspondence. Through her poems, particularly those selected for this study, three feminine archetypes emerge.

First there is the insensitive woman, played by Annie Playden, a source of poet's torment .Then comes the woman of dreams, the Unknown, ideal and captivating, who invites him to love. Finally, the woman-memory, Marie Laurencier, presents herself as his inspiring muse. Thus, through his work, the poet reveals the repercussions of his tumultuous relationships with these women, offering an overview of the experiences that marked his life.