Maurice Maeterlinck

Date of Birth: August 29, 1862

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: May 6, 1949

Biography

Maurice Polydore Marie Bernard Maeterlinck was a renowned Belgian playwright, poet, and essayist who was born on August 29, 1862, in Ghent, Belgium. He is best known for his plays that explore themes of death and the meaning of life, often through the lens of symbolism and mysticism. Maeterlinck’s most famous works include “Pelléas et Mélisande” (1892) and “The Blue Bird” (1908). He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, which brought him international acclaim. Throughout his career, Maeterlinck also wrote essays on a variety of subjects, including nature and bees, showcasing his diverse intellectual interests. He died on May 6, 1949, in Nice, France, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential writers in the Symbolist movement.

5 Interesting Facts about Maurice Maeterlinck

1. Maeterlinck was often referred to as the “Belgian Shakespeare” due to his significant contribution to drama and literature.

2. He had a deep fascination with nature, which is evident in his essays and works like “The Life of the Bee.”

3. Maeterlinck was an influential figure in the Symbolist movement, which sought to express the ineffable and the mystical through art.

4. He lived in various countries including Belgium, France, and Italy, and was fluent in multiple languages.

5. Maurice Maeterlinck had a keen interest in the paranormal and mystical, which often influenced the themes and settings of his plays.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Maurice Maeterlinck

1. “We are never happy; we can only remember that we were so once.”

2. “Each progressive spirit is opposed by a thousand mediocre minds appointed to guard the past.”

3. “Happiness is rarely absent; it is we that know not of its presence.”

4. “At every crossroads on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past.”

5. “What would there be in a story of happiness? Only what prepares it, only what destroys it can be told.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Maurice Maeterlinck’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but his Nobel Prize in Literature and successful literary career likely made him relatively prosperous for his time.