# Paul Verlaine — What Is Art? character guide

> Paul Verlaine in What Is Art? by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** M. Verlaine

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Who they are

French poet associated with Symbolist movement.

## In the story

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/xvii)

Mentioned alongside Baudelaire as a poet appreciated by modern society but representing perverted art.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as 'the esteemed young poet Verhaeren' (likely a confusion with Verlaine in context); poem 'Attirances' is quoted.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/iv)

Poems 'Forgotten Airs' No. I and No. VIII quoted.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/endnotes)

Quoted in a poetic excerpt about music and art.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/characters/verlaine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/characters