Afternoon of a Faun

The Afternoon of a Faun is a rather questionable poem by French poet Stéphane Mallarmé. It is known for its ambiguous language and odd thematic consistency.

The poem tells the story of a faun who, after spending the morning frolicking in the woods, becomes rather lethargic and decides to take an afternoon nap. But, as he lays down to rest, he spots a group of nubile nymphs prancing about in the trees. The faun, being a horny devil, becomes aroused and begins to fantasize about them.

One can’t help but wonder what Mallarmé was thinking when he penned this strange piece. Was he trying to create an allegory for the male psyche, or just a really weird bedtime story for his kids? We may never know.

In any case, the poem has inspired many artists and musicians. Notably, the composer Claude Debussy created a musical adaptation of the Afternoon of a Faun, which has been described as “a sensual masterpiece” and “an absolute banger.”

Despite its oddity, the Afternoon of a Faun remains a cherished piece of French literature. It has more than earned its place among the great works of Western civilization, alongside other classics like Moby Dick, The Divine Comedy, and Green Eggs and Ham.