I Don't know How Many Souls I Have - Fernando Pessoa

Fernando António Nogueira Pessoa, (born June 13, 1888, Lisbon, Port.—died Nov. 30, 1935, Lisbon), one of the greatest Portuguese poets, whose Modernist work gave Portuguese literature European significance.
The majority of Pessoa's poems appeared in literary journals and magazines. He published his first book of English poems, Antinous in 1918, followed by Sonnets (1918) and English Poems (1921), but released only a single book of Portuguese poems, Mensagem, in 1933. He died from cirrhosis of the liver. Pessoa avoided the literary world and most social contact; it wasn't until years after his death that his work garnered a wide readership.

In this poem, Pessoa creates an inner struggle that the speaker has with trying to figure out whether it was fate or free will that has determined how his life panned out. By making the whole poem essentially one, elongated metaphor, Pessoa is able to give multiple interpretations to his poem. In the titular first line of the first stanza, Pessoa states “I don’t know how many souls I have”. Automatically, Pessoa causes the speaker to question his morality and inner being. Line two of the first stanza has a literal translation of “each time changed.” When put in context, it becomes apparent that the speaker is referring to himself that changes so often. These two lines become the foundation for the rest of the poem, seeing as they set up a questioning within the speaker. The translations of these two lines are also crucial to fully grasp the meaning of the poem as a whole.

Credits & Attributions :-

Music:-

FAIR-USE COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER

* Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, commenting, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[WisdoMango]

Please like, share, and comment on this video. Also, hit the subscribe button and click on that bell icon to get regular updates on my new videos.

[stoplayingwithsin]

Ughhh I WISH I COULD CRY. HE IS LITERALLY ME. I LOVE HIS WORK SO MUCH

[singerdesign]

This is the first piece of poetry I have ever heard that brings me to inescapable tears every time. Wonderful.

[pastushenkovitaliy]

so deep and the so simple in the same time

[blissbeingthiest]

O my god, , came as i was seeking such feeling..1000persons within me only 1works as me....I LOVE U BROTHERS AND SISTERS

[MermaidAXA]

To listen, again and then to read for myself. His soul’s gift is a gift to each of us. Thank you for uploading this particular recording. Exceptionally well nuanced narration.

[karrenb]

I resonate strongly 🥺 I don't know why it makes me think about maladaptive daydreaming

[newworldlord]

nice to know im not alone, feel like i wrote this. but i know how consciousness works, in some way i did, all of us who resonate with this did.

[godsun]

FERNANDO PESSOA E UM GENIO
GRANDE POETA OBRIGADO PELA
PESSOA QUE TU FOSTE QUE ES E QUE SEMPRE SERAS❤️🌟🙏💐

[sumanunes]

Amazing.I stop being I .Iam my own land escape.

[GlairGullwing]

Absolutely beautiful, and I mean the way you declaimed it

[gwendolinerosekrans]

Does anyone know if he is speculated to have multiple personality disorder? Either way, his works are fascinating,

[googleisgay]

It's at least a poem. Do you realize how weak they are?

[skylarkportraitstudio]

It is a very easy thing to drop a comment full of "Amazing!", or "Astounding!" or even "Best Ever!" My personal favorite is "I LOVE HIS WORK SO MUCH". Blathering nonsensical fandom. A truth: The majority of Pessoa's writing never saw the light of day in his lifetime. It ended up in a trunk. Most of it was never published. How impressive is that? Not very. Was he a good writer? Yes, without question. However, that is as far as it goes. He wasn't influential. He was barely read. And he died early. So, what exactly is all the blathering nonsensical fandom actually about? You tell me.