Rainer Maria Rilke

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born: died: occupation: genre: influences:
04-Dec-1875 29-Dec-1926 Poet, Novelist Poetry, Fiction, Letters Friedrich Nietzsche, Søren Kierkegaard, Auguste Rodin

Introduction:

Rainer Maria Rilke, born on December 4, 1875, was a renowned poet and novelist whose profound and lyrical works have left an indelible mark on German literature. Influenced by the philosophical insights of Friedrich Nietzsche, the existential reflections of Søren Kierkegaard, and the artistic expressions of Auguste Rodin, Rilke's poetry and prose explore themes of existentialism, love, and the transcendent beauty of life.

Literary Career:

Rainer Maria Rilke's literary career began with the publication of his first book of poetry, "Leben und Lieder" (Life and Songs), in 1894. However, it was with his later works, such as the "Duino Elegies" and "Sonnets to Orpheus," that he gained widespread recognition for his distinctive poetic voice.

Notable Works:

"Duino Elegies" (1923): Rilke's collection of ten elegies is considered one of the masterpieces of 20th-century German poetry, exploring themes of love, death, and the quest for meaning.

"Sonnets to Orpheus" (1922): Comprising 55 sonnets, this collection reflects Rilke's fascination with the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, delving into the transformative power of art and the human spirit.

"Letters to a Young Poet" (1929): A collection of ten letters written by Rilke to a young aspiring poet, offering profound insights into creativity, solitude, and the artist's journey.

Themes and Writing Style:

Rainer Maria Rilke's poetry is characterized by its introspective nature, lyrical language, and exploration of profound existential questions. His works often delve into the complexities of human experience, the search for meaning, and the transformative power of art.

Influence and Philosophy:

Influenced by the philosophical ideas of Nietzsche and Kierkegaard, Rilke's poetry reflects a deep engagement with existential themes, emphasizing the importance of embracing life's uncertainties and finding beauty in the fleeting moments of existence. The influence of Auguste Rodin, with whom Rilke worked closely, is evident in his poetic exploration of the visual and tactile aspects of life.

Legacy:

Rainer Maria Rilke's legacy endures as a cornerstone of German literature and global poetry. His profound insights into the human soul, coupled with his exquisite use of language, have inspired generations of poets and readers worldwide.

Quotes.Network's Collection of Rilke's Poetic Wisdom:

Quotes.Network proudly presents a curated collection of Rainer Maria Rilke's insightful quotes, capturing the profound beauty and existential wisdom that define his literary legacy. Explore his quotes to experience the timeless elegance and depth found in Rilke's poetry and prose.

" And you, Clara Westhoff, how simply and well you endured, lived through the experience, and made it a forward step in your young existence! So great was your love that it was able to forgive the great dying, and your eye was so sure, even then, that it conceived beauty in all the new colors, feelings, and gestures of the earth, and that all coming to an end seemed for your feeling only a pretext under which Nature wanted to unfold beauties yet unrevealed. Just as the eyes of angels rest on a dying child, delighting in the similar transfiguration of its half-released little face, so without concern you saw in the dying earth the smile and the beauty and the trust in eternity."―from letter to Clara Westhoff Schmargendorf (Sunday, November 18, 1900) "
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Rainer Maria Rilke
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" …[S]uddenly your eye, which was already preparing itself for larger dimensions, goes about willingly with little, hesitating, hearkening steps over the many overgrown paths of a long dead experience and stands still by all its landmarks reverently and respectfully. And has forgotten the world, and has no world but a face. I know exactly everything you said then. The figure of the old lady who speaks rarely and reservedly, who hides her hands when a gesture of tenderness would move them, and who only with rare caresses builds bridges to a few people, bridges that no longer exist when she draws back her arm and lies again like an island fantastically repeated on all sides in the mirror of motionless waters. My eyes too were already caught up in the radiance and bound to great and deep beauties.”―from letter to Clara Westhoff Schmargendorf bei Berlin (October 18, 1900) "
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Rainer Maria Rilke
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" If your love for […] wants to do something now, then its work and task is this: to catch up with what it has missed. For it has failed to see whither this person has gone, it has failed to accompany her in her broadest development, it has failed to spread itself out over the new distances this person embraces, and it hasn’t ceased looking for her at a certain point in her growth, it wants obstinately to hold fast to a definite beauty beyond which she has passed, instead of persevering, confident of new shared beauties to come.”—from letter to Paula Modersohn-Becker Bremen (February 12, 1902) "
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Rainer Maria Rilke
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