Alfred de Musset

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A French writer who wrote poems, plays, and novels during the Romantic period

proper noun

: Alfred de Musset

Many literature students analyze Alfred de Musset's poetry for its emotional intensity and lyrical beauty.

Examples

The play reading featured excerpts from Alfred de Musset's most renowned dramas.
The works of Alfred de Musset are celebrated for their emotional depth.
Alfred de Musset is celebrated for his influential works during the Romantic period in France.
Did you read anything by Alfred de Musset in school?
Alfred de Musset is celebrated for his influential works during the Romantic period in France.
Many literature students analyze Alfred de Musset's poetry for its emotional intensity and lyrical beauty.
The play reading featured excerpts from Alfred de Musset's most renowned dramas.

Surface Forms

Alfred de Musset main

Morphology

Alfred + de + Musset

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical French writer; knowing the parts 'Alfred', 'de', and 'Musset' does not allow a learner to derive the referent or the biographical meaning (19th‑century French poet/playwright/novelist). The particle 'de' may hint at French origin but does not make the person's identity or literary significance predictable from the constituents.

Etymology

Alfred de Musset was a French poet and playwright of the 1800s who wrote short, emotional poems and plays about love and heartbreak. Because his work shows strong feeling and romantic sorrow, his name is often used to talk about 'romantic' or 'emotional' writing.