Jose Rizal Report
Jose Rizal Report
Jose Rizal Report
(1890)
January 28, 1890 Rizal left Paris for Brussels,
capital of Belgium.
Two Reasons why he left:
1. The cost of living was very high because
of the Universal Exposition.
2. The gay social life of the city hampered
his literary works, especially the writing of his
second novel, El Filibusterismo.
Marcelo H. Del Pilar Valentin Ventura Uncle Jose Albert
LIFE IN BRUSSELS
Rizal was busy writing his second novel
which was a continuation of the Noli Me
Tangere.
Aside from writing its chapters, he wrote
articles for La Solidaridad and letters to his
family and friends.
A Letter to Antonio Luna
“I go to the clinic, I read, I write, I go to gymnasium
and to the armory. Speaking of shooting, I am
sending you a target containing ten bullet holes; it
was seven and a half meters from me. At twenty-
five meters I can put all my shots into a twenty
centimeter target.” -Jose Rizal
All his friends including Blumentritt, Jose Ma. Basa, and Ponce
were horrified by Rizal’s plan to return to the Philippines.
They warned him of the danger that awaited him at home.
DECISION TO GO TO MADRID
Rizal ignored the dire warning of his friends. No
threat of danger could change his plan.
A letter from Paciano suddenly changed his mind.
Rizal wrote to M.H del pilar on June 20,1890
retaining the latter’s services as lawyer.
He was going to Madrid in order to supervise the
handling of the case.
July 29, 1890 – another letter to Ponce.
Announcing that he will be leaving Brussels at the
beginning of the following month and would
arrive Madrid about the 3rd or 4th of August.
“TO MY MUSE” (1890)
It was against a background of mental
anguish in Brussels, during those days when
he was worried by family disasters, that he
wrote his pathetic poem, “A Mi…” (To My
Muse)
This poem lacks the exquisiteness of “To the
Flowers of Heidelberg” and is less polished
than “To the Filipino Youth”.
But, it is passionate in feeling.
“TO MY MUSE” (1890)
Invoked no longer is the Muse
The lyre is out of date;
The poets it no longer use,
And youth its inspiration now imbues
With other form and state.