Mihai Eminescu

1. Mihai Eminescu

2. The Poet's Life and Work • 1850-1857 • On 15th of January, in Botosani, a North Eastern town of Romania, the future poet Mihai Eminescu is born. His parents, Gheorghe and Raluca Eminovici were small land owners and Mihai was the 7th of 11 children. The future poet spends his Childhood in Ipotesti, a village where his parents had a small estate, 8 km away from Botosani. Today, here we can find Mihai Eminescu Memorial House

3. The Poet's Life and Work • 1858-1860 • He is registered to National Hauptschule in Cernauti (a town in North Bucovina), that belonged to Austria at that time; at present the town is in Ukraine. Here he attends the courses of the 3rd and 4th form. ( Ipotesti, his childhood's house. Photo from the beginning of the XX-century)

4. The Poet's Life and Work • 1860-1863 • He attends Ober Gymnasium in Cernauti. He attends the courses of the first and second form (repeating the latter). (Cernauti town center, at the middle of the XIX-century)

5. The Poet's Life and Work • 1864 • He works for a short time as a clerk to Law Court and the Permanent District Committee in Botosani. • 1865 • He comes back to Cernauti gymnasium as a private pupil. He takes up lodgings with Aron Pumnul, his gymnasium teacher, a great linguist, philologist and owner of a large library.

6. The Poet's Life and Work • 1866 • Around 12th/24th of January, Aron Pumnul dies. In the commemorative booklet written by his pupils, the first poem signed M.Eminoviciu (private pupil) appears under the title: At Aron Pumnul's Grave. About 25th of February/9th of March, the periodical The Family in Pesta publishes his poem Had I. The director of the above mentioned periodical changed his name from Eminovici into Eminescu, a name that the poet adopted for the rest of his life. In April-October he undertakes a trip on foot, through Transylvania (that belonged to Austria at that time). From there, he crosses the mountains and goes to Bucharest.

7. The Poet's Life and Work • 1867 • He joins as a prompter and copyist into a theatre group, with which he travels all over the country. He reads a lot of Schiller, whose poem "Resignation", he translates. • 1868 • He becomes employed with another theatrical company, with which he undertakes a tour through Transylvania. Settled in Bucharest, he meets I. L. Caragiale (1852-1912), one of the most important Romanian writers.

8. The Poet's Life and Work (The make-up box of the time and the plate of the lid with monogram, used by the time of theatrical tour)

9. The Poet's Life and Work • 1869 • At the beginning of October he registers at the Faculty of Philosophy, Vienna University. He is matriculated as an ausserordentlich attendee. He also registers at the two existing societies of Romanian students, that will merge to form Romania Juna ("Young Romania").1868 (The University from Vienna)

10. The Poet's Life and Work • 1870 • He attends the University courses with certain regularity, but he shows more interest in the library. He publishes the first poem Venera si Madona (Venere and Madonna) in Convorbiri literare (Literary Talks) from Iasi. • 1871 • In his capacity of outstanding member of the students Society Romania Juna (Young Romania) Eminescu participates in the Festivals organized at Putna (a locality in Bucovina, where Stephen the Great was buried, a Prince of Moldavia between 1457-1504 ).

11. The Poet's Life and Work • 1872 • At Vienna, he meets Veronica Micle (1850-1889) a poetess from the literary circle of Convorbiri literare (Literary Talks), whom he will have a passionate and troubled relationship with. In Iasi, he reads poems and prose in two successive sessions of Societatea Junimea (Youth Society). On receiving a monthly amount from this society, he leaves to Berlin, where he joins the University,so wishing to attend Philosophy, History, Economy and Law courses.

12. The Poet's Life and Work • 1873 • He attends the courses of Berlin University without passing any examination. (University Humboldt from Berlin, infiintata in anul 1810)

13. The Poet's Life and Work • 1874 • He corresponds with Titu Maiorescu (1840-1917, an aesthetician, literary critic and professor), the mentor of Junimea Society and Convorbiri literare (Literary Talks periodical). He suggests that Eminescu should take a Doctor's degree as to be then appointed university professor, but Eminescu does not submit his doctorate and on the 1st September he is appointed director of the Central Library in Iasi. At the same, time he teaches logics at Academic Institute in the same town. • 1875 • In the first part of the year, Eminescu takes good care of the Central Library in Iasi and proposes its enrichment by bringing in old Romanian books and manuscripts. On the 1st of June, he is appointed a school inspector for Iasi and Vaslui districts. He meets Ion Creanga (1838-1889), whom he advises to write. The latter will become one of the most important Romanian writers.

14. The Poet's Life and Work • 1876 • Within the public lectures of Junimea, Eminescu addresses the conference, later designated "Austrian Influence on Romanians in the Principalities". Under the new government, he is no longer a school inspector. He accepts the job of a proof reader and editor for the informal section of the local paper Curierul de Iasi (Iasi Messenger). • 1877 • He continues his journalistic activity with Curierul de Iasi (Iasi Messenger), writes theatre chronicles and attends the meetings of Junimea society. In the second half of October, he moves to Bucharest, where he works as an editor to Timpul (The Time) newspaper. Here, he publishes the series of articles Icons, Old and New.

15. The Poet's Life and Work • 1878 • He works at Timpul (The Time) newspaper. In March he publishes here, in series, the article Basarabia, a real press campaign against the Russian unjust expansionist policy. During the summer, while residing at a friend's estate, he translates from German a volume entitled Fragments From Romanians' History. (The court yard of the building where the newspaper The Time used to run)

16. The Poet's Life and Work • 1879 • Veronica Micle's husband dies. Together with Eminescu, she makes unaccomplishable marriage plans. • 1880 • He works hard with the editorial staff of Timpul (The Time). He gives up the idea of marrying Veronica Micle. • 1881 • He is still an editor at Timpul (The Time). He publishes four of the five Letters. His relationship with Veronica Micle is going to be deteriorated.

17. The Poet's Life and Work • 1882 • He continues his work at Timpul (The Time). At Junimea (Youth) meetings in Bucharest, he reads the poem Hyperion on two occasions. Mite Kremnitz, Maiorescu's sister in law, translates it into German. • 1883 • In the second half of August, he shows several signs of mental disorder and he is put in a sanatorium in Bucharest. In October, he is sent to a sanatorium in Ober-Dobling, now a district of Vienna. At the end of December, the volume Poems is published in Bucharest, guided and bearing an introduction by Titu Maiorescu.

18. The Poet's Life and Work The volume contains 44 of Eminescu's poems compiled from different publications and twenty-six unpublished items. It is the only poetry volume published during his lifetime.

19. The Poet's Life and Work • 1886 • He continues to work at the library, occupying himself with small jobs: he writes the paylist and the letters that go with it, all sorts of memoranda for the handing back of the borrowed books and for summoning the library board. In summer, his disease recourses. He is transported to a madhouse neighboring a monastery. • 1887 • After coming out of the madhouse, we find him in Botosani, looked after by his younger sister. He goes on a journey to Halle for treatment, then he returns to Botosani.

20. The Poet's Life and Work • 1888 • Veronica Micle persuades Eminescu to move to Bucharest. The third edition of his volume of poetry is published at the end of the year. (The last photo of the poet, made in Jean Bielig' s studio in Botosani, in 1887)

21. The Poet's Life and Work • 1889 • In February, his health is put to serious damage. He is first hospitalized, then put into a sanatorium. On 15th of June he dies. He is buried on 17th of June.

22. The Poet's Life and Work GLOSS Days go past and days come stillAll is old and all is new,What is well and what is ill,You imagine and construe;Do not hope and do not fear,Waves that leap like waves must fall;Should they praise or should they jeer,Look but coldly on it all.' Things you'll meet of many a kind,Sights and sounds, and tales no end,But to keep them all in mindWho would bother to attend ?...Very little does it matter,If you can yourself fulfil,That with idle, empty chatterDays go past and days come still.  Little heed the lofty rangingThat cold logic does displayTo explain the endless changingOf this pageantry of joy,And which out of death is growingBut to last an hour or two;For the mind profoundly knowingAll is old and all is new. As before some troop of actors,You before the world remain;Act they Gods, or malefactors,'Tis but they dressed up again.And their loving and their slaying,Sit apart and watch, untilYou will see behind their playing'What is well and what is ill.

23. The Poet's Life and Work GLOSS What has been and what to beAre but of a page each partWhich the world do read is free.Yet who knows them off by heart?All that was and is to come Prospers in the present too,But its narrow modicum'You image and construe.' With the selfsame scales and gaugesThis great universe to weigh,Man has been for thousand agesSometimes sad and sometimes gay;Other masks, the same old story,Players pass and reappear,Broken promises of glory;"Do not hope and do not fear." Do not hope when greed is staringO'er the bridge that luck has flung,These are fools for not despairing,On their brows though stars are hung;Do not fear if one or otherDoes his comrades deep enthral,Do not let him call you brother"Waves that leap like waves must fall." Like the sirens’ silver singingMen spread nets to catch their prey,Up and down the curtain swingingMidst a whirlwind of display.Leave them room without resistance,Nor their commentaries cheer,Hearing only from a distance,"Should they praise or should they jeer."

24. The Poet's Life and Work GLOSS If they touch you, do not tarry,Should they curse you, hold your tongue,All your counsel must miscarryKnowing who you are among.Let them muse and let them mingle,Let them pass both great and small;Unattached and calm and single,"Look but coldly on it all." Should they praise or should they jeer;Waves that leap like waves must fall,Do not hope and do not fear.You imagine and construeWhat is well and what is ill;All is old and all is new,"Days go past and days come still."

25. The Poet's Life and Work LUCIFER Once on a time, as poets sing High tales with fancy laden, Born of a very noble king There lived a wondrous maiden. An only child, her kinsfolk boon, So fair, imagination faints; As though amidst the stars the moon, Or Mary amidst the saints. From 'neath the castle's dark retreat, Her silent way she wended Each evening to the window-seat Where Lucifer attended. And secretly, with never fail, She watched his double race, Where vessels drew their pathless trail Across the ocean's face. And as intent she drank his light,Desire was quickly there;While he who saw her every nightSoon fell in love with her. And sitting thus with rested head,Her elbows on the sill,Her heart by youthful fancy ledDid with deep longing fill. While he, a brilliant shining spark,Glowed always yet more clearTowards the castle tall and dark Where she would soon appear. While where his ray on mirror landsAnd is upon her couch redrifted,It falls upon her throat and handsAnd on her face uplifted.

26. The Poet's Life and Work LUCIFER A smile is on her lips it seems;He in the mirror trembles,For smooth his ray glides midst her dreamsAnd round her soul assembles. And while she is in slumber goneShe murmurs through her sighs:'Come down to me beloved one,Fair prince of the clear skies. Come down, good Lucifer and kind,O lord of my aspire'And flood my chamber and my mindWith your sweetest fire!' And Lucifer beams still more brightTo hear her word's emotion;Then like a comet in its flightDives down into the ocean. And where his bolt is lost to view The sea in whirlpool surges,Till out of the unfathomed blueA handsome youth emerges, Who, leaping off the fretful wave,Lightly through her casement passes;And in his hand he holds a staveCrowned with a wreath of grasses. Until one night with shower of rays He slips into her room,As though a strange and silver hazeDid round about her loom. And when at last the child to restUpon her sofa lies,He lays her arms across her breastAnd closes her soft eyes.

27. The Poet's Life and Work LUCIFER 'Down from the spheres do I comeThough dreadful the commotion,My father is the vaulted dome,My mother is the ocean.  For I have left my realm to keepObedience to your command;Born of the zenith and the deepHere I before you stand. O come, fair child of royal birth,Cast this your world aside,For Lucifer has flown to earthTo claim you as his bride. And you will live till time is doneIn castles built of sky,And all the fish will be your own,And all the birds that fly.' 'O, beautiful you are, good Sire,As but an angel prince could be, But to the course that you desire I never shall agree. Now, as he heard her tender cryWith pain he faded out,And lightning flew about the sky,Which wheeled and rocked about; Around the earth a lurid glow Poured like a torrent race,Till out of its chaotic flowThere grew a human face; About the head dark wisps of hairGirt with a crown of flame,And through the sun-illumined airBorne up by truth he came.

28. The Poet's Life and Work LUCIFER His arms of rounded marble sheenDid 'neath a cloak of raven show,And sad and thoughtful was his mienAnd pallid was his brow. Bright eyes he had that seemed to tellOf strange chimeric bonds;And deep they were as passion's spell,And dark as moonlit ponds. Strange, as your voice and vaster show,I live while you are dead; Your eyes gleam with an icy glowWhich fills my soul with dread.' * One day went past, and went past two,Then o'er the castle dark,Fair Lucifer again to viewShone forth his lustrous spark. And scarce his beam waved bright above,Her dreams to him were borne,Her heart again by aching loveAnd cruel longing torn. 'Come down, good Lucifer and kind,O lord of my aspire,And flood my chamber and my mind With your sweetest fire!' You wound me with your crude behest;I dread what you extol;Your heavy eyes, as though possessed,Gleam down into my soul." 'But why should I descend to thee? Far better what I give;My days are all eternity,While you but one hour live.'

29. The Poet's Life and Work LUCIFER • Down from the spheres have I flown,Though terrible my flight;My father wears Apollo's crown,My mother is the night. • O come, fair child of royal birth,Cast this your world aside,For Lucifer has flown to earth To claim you as his bride. • A starry halo from the skiesAbout your hair will fall,And you among the spheres will riseThe proudest of them all.“ • O, beautiful you are, good Sire,As but a demon prince could be,But to the course of your desireI never shall agree. Round-cheeked, like rose-apples red,Mischievous, bright-eyed,He slipped with quick yet stealthy treadTo Catalina's side. Upon my soul, Queen of romance!Was such a darling ever?Come Catalin, quick try your chance,For now's your time or never. 'I would not chosen phrases seek,Nor carefully my world arrange,But though with human mouth you speak,Your speech to me is strange. Yet if you wish to prove your worth,That I betroth myself to you, Well, then come down to me on earthAnd be a mortal too.'

30. The Poet's Life and Work LUCIFER 'You ask my endless life aboveTo barter for a kiss.Aye, I will show how my love,How deep my longing is. My birthright I will fling asideTo be reborn of sin, and I Who to all rolling time am tied,Will that great knot untie.' At which he turned and went away Midst a cloud of sombre pearl,To renounce his birthright from that dayFor the love of a mortal girl. * About this time young CatalinWas a page boy of that house,Who filled the festive cups with wineAt feast and royal carouse, At which he round her waist did twineHis arm in sudden wooing.'Behave, you rascal Catalin,Whatever are you doing?' 'By sorrow brooding all the while You would your heart assuage,But better you would turn and smileAnd kiss just once your page.' 'I know not what your wishes are,Leave me alone, you knave.Ah me! The longing for that starWill drive me to the grave.‘ 'If you don't know, and you would learnHow love is set about,Don't recklessly my teaching spurn,First fairly hear me out.

31. The Poet's Life and Work WHY DO YOU WAIL, O FOREST TREES "Why do you wail, o forest trees,Forest, without rain or breeze,Your branches ill at ease?“ "How indeed should I not wailWhen the hours of summer fail!Nights grow longer, days get short,On my branches few leaves caught,And the winds with bitter swordDrive my chorister abroad;Autumn winds that forest flay,Winter near, spring far away.How indeed should I not groan When my singing birds have flown,And across the frozen skyFlocks of swallows hurry by,And with them my fancies flyLeaving me alone to sigh;Hurry on as time in flightTurning day half into night,Time that o'er the forest ringsWith a fluttering of wings...And they pass and leave me cold,Nude and shivering and old;For my thoughts with them have flown,And with them my gladness gone!"