BAUDELAIRE ET CAMUS : AU CARREFOUR D’UN MYTHE
BAUDELAIRE AND CAMUS: AT THE CROSSROADS OF A MYTH

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyzes two modern visions of an ancient myth: the myth of Sisyphus in the reinterpretation of Charles Baudelaire, the hero and herald of modern poetry, and Albert Camus, a “mythical” figure of the twentieth century. We first remind the reader of the essential features of myth, so that we can dedicate the discussion to the concept of literary myth. In the following sections, we deal with Sisyphus' tragic destiny, which is also at the center of this literary research. Applying intertextual and comparative analysis, we point to the richness of imagination and philosophical fullness of two hypertexts, such as the sonnet “Evil Fate” from The Flowers of Evil and the famous essay The Myth of Sisyphus. Finally, we emphasize the similarities and differences between the two interpretations to suggest the extent to which Baudelaire's vision of “Sisyphus” announces Camus’, bearing in mind that The Flowers of Evil are considered the spiritual landmark of all modern literary trends in the twentieth century.

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