Endre Ady

Endre Ady (November 22, 1877 – January 27, 1919) was a Hungarian poet, one of the most important poets not only in the 20th century but in Hungarian literature in general.

His poetry

In the beginning of the 1900s Hungarian poets were following in the footsteps of Sándor Pet?fi writing in an imitated folksy style which wasn't able to renew itself. Ady was the first to break with the traditions and promote the new, modern style. Although he liked to see himself as a lonely, never understood revolutioneer, in truth most of the poets of his generation took sides with him (and many of them imitated his style).

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His first two books of poetry didn't show anything new; he was still under the influence of 19th century poets such as Pet?fi or János Vajda. The first elements of his own style appeared not in his poems but in his essays and other writings.

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Ady was undoubtedly infulenced by the works of Baudelaire and Verlaine. He often uses symbolism, his recurring themes are God, Hungary and fight for survival. Other themes are present only in certain periods of his life (money, Léda).

Related Topics:
Baudelaire - Verlaine - Symbolism

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