'Song' by Rainer Maria Rilke
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(From the diaries of Malte Laurids Brigge)
You, whom I do not tell that all night long
I lie weeping,
whose very being makes me feel wanting
like a cradle.
You, who do not tell me, that you lie awake
thinking of me:--
what, if we carried all these longings within us
without ever being overwhelmed by them,
letting them pass?
Look at these lovers, tormented by love,
when first they begin confessing,
how soon they lie!
You make me feel alone. I try imagining:
one moment it is you, then it's the soaring wind;
a fragrance comes and goes but never lasts.
Oh, within my arms I lost all whom I loved!
Only you remain, always reborn again.
For since I never held you, I hold you fast.
Translated by Albert Ernest Flemming
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enigmatic Beauty of Rilke's Song
There are some poems that are so beautiful and profound that they leave a lasting impression on our minds and souls. Rainer Maria Rilke's "Song" is one such poem that has captured the hearts of countless readers with its enigmatic beauty and haunting imagery. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Rilke in this classic poem.
The Poem: "Song"
Before we begin our analysis, let's first read the poem in its entirety:
How shall I hold my soul, that it may not
be touching yours? How shall I lift it then
above you to where other things are waiting?
Ah, gladly would I lodge it, all-forgot,
with some lost thing the dark abyss has caught,
the old quenched fires, the rain- drowned murmuring.
Or shall I thrust it down into the deep,
and there with the drowned corpses let it sleep
where depths of darkness quench and still all being?
Or shall it press to where your body lies
and seemingly unaware, like lilies,
unfold in you its all-unfolding being?
The Themes
At its core, "Song" is a poem about love, desire, and the struggle to transcend the boundaries of individual existence to merge with the beloved. The poem explores different ways of holding one's soul so that it does not touch the other person's soul, as if trying to protect oneself from the overwhelming power of love. However, the poem also suggests that this protective mechanism is futile, as the soul longs to unite with the beloved and become one.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of death and dissolution. The speaker contemplates lodging their soul with some lost thing in the dark abyss or thrusting it down into the deep where the drowned corpses sleep. These images evoke a sense of decay and decay, of things that have been lost and forgotten. However, the poem also suggests that even in death, there is a possibility of unity and transcendence, as the soul may press to where the body of the beloved lies and unfold in them its all-unfolding being.
The Symbols
To fully understand the poem, we need to explore the symbols used by Rilke. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the soul. The soul represents the essence of our being, that which makes us unique and individual. In the poem, the soul is depicted as a separate entity, something that can be held and lifted or pressed and unfolded. This suggests that the speaker sees the soul as something that can be separated from the body and, by extension, from the beloved.
Another symbol that appears in the poem is the dark abyss. The dark abyss represents the unknown, the mysterious, and the frightening. It is the place where lost things go, where quenched fires and rain-drowned murmuring lie. The speaker contemplates lodging their soul with some lost thing in the dark abyss, suggesting that they are willing to let go of their individuality and become part of the unknown and the forgotten.
The drowned corpses are another symbol that appears in the poem. They represent death and dissolution, the ultimate fate of all individual beings. The speaker contemplates thrusting their soul down into the deep where the drowned corpses sleep, suggesting that they are willing to embrace death and dissolution to escape the overwhelming power of love.
Finally, the lilies are a powerful symbol that appears in the last line of the poem. The lilies represent purity, beauty, and resurrection. They are also associated with the Virgin Mary and the idea of the immaculate conception. The speaker suggests that their soul may unfold in the beloved like lilies, evoking a sense of purity and transcendence.
The Literary Devices
To fully appreciate the beauty and complexity of the poem, we need to explore the literary devices used by Rilke. One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is the rhetorical question. The speaker asks several rhetorical questions throughout the poem, such as "How shall I hold my soul?" and "Or shall it press to where your body lies?" These questions are not meant to be answered but rather to evoke a sense of contemplation and wonder.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Rilke uses powerful and evocative imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The images of the dark abyss, the drowned corpses, and the lilies all work together to create a sense of longing, despair, and transcendence.
The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The repetition of the word "soul" throughout the poem reinforces its importance as a symbol and highlights the speaker's struggle to protect it from the overwhelming power of love.
Finally, the poem uses enjambment to create a sense of fluidity and movement. The lines flow seamlessly into each other, creating a sense of continuous thought and emotion.
The Interpretation
So what does "Song" mean? What is Rilke trying to convey to his readers? There are several interpretations of the poem, but one possible interpretation is that the poem is about the struggle to reconcile individual existence with the desire for unity and transcendence. The speaker contemplates different ways of holding their soul so that it does not touch the beloved's soul, suggesting a fear of losing their individuality. However, the poem also suggests that this fear is ultimately futile, as the soul longs to unite with the beloved and become one.
The poem also suggests that there is a possibility of transcendence through death and dissolution. The images of the dark abyss and the drowned corpses evoke a sense of decay and decay, but they also suggest that even in death, there is a possibility of unity and transcendence.
Finally, the poem suggests that there is a possibility of purity and resurrection through love. The image of the lilies folding and unfolding in the beloved suggests a sense of purity and transcendence, as if the soul is being reborn and transformed through love.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, Rainer Maria Rilke's "Song" is a beautiful and enigmatic poem that explores themes of love, desire, death, and transcendence. Through powerful imagery, symbols, and literary devices, Rilke creates a sense of contemplation and wonder that leaves a lasting impression on the reader's mind and soul. Whether we see the poem as a meditation on individuality and unity or as a celebration of love and transcendence, "Song" remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Song by Rainer Maria Rilke: A Poem of Love, Longing, and Transcendence
Rainer Maria Rilke is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his lyrical and philosophical works that explore the human condition, nature, and spirituality. Among his many poems, "Song" stands out as a masterpiece of poetic expression, a timeless ode to love, longing, and transcendence. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of the poem, and explore its deeper meanings and implications.
The poem "Song" consists of six stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. However, the simplicity of the form belies the complexity of the content, as the poem weaves together various themes and motifs into a rich tapestry of emotions and ideas. At its core, "Song" is a love poem, but it is not a conventional one that celebrates the joys of romance or the beauty of the beloved. Instead, it is a poem of yearning, of the lover's desperate desire to transcend the limitations of the physical world and reach a higher state of being.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker declaring his love for an unnamed "you" who is both near and far, present and absent. The use of the pronoun "you" is significant, as it suggests that the beloved is not a specific person, but a symbol of the ideal, the perfect, the unattainable. The speaker's love is not directed at a particular individual, but at an abstract concept of beauty, perfection, and transcendence. This is reinforced by the use of the word "transfigured" in the second line, which implies a transformation from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from the mundane to the sublime.
The second stanza expands on the theme of transcendence, as the speaker describes his longing to "rise above" the physical world and "touch the edge of the unknown." This is a common motif in Rilke's poetry, as he often explores the tension between the material and the spiritual, the finite and the infinite, the visible and the invisible. The use of the word "unknown" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's desire is not for a specific destination or goal, but for a state of being that is beyond comprehension or definition. The image of the "wide expanse" also suggests a sense of openness, of possibility, of freedom.
The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem, as the speaker addresses the beloved directly and asks her to "come close" and "let me look into your eyes." This is a moment of intimacy and vulnerability, as the speaker reveals his desire to connect with the beloved on a deeper level, to see beyond the surface and into the soul. The use of the word "let" is significant, as it implies a sense of permission, of consent, of mutual trust. The image of the "deep blue" eyes also suggests a sense of mystery, of depth, of infinity.
The fourth stanza continues the theme of intimacy and connection, as the speaker describes his desire to "hold your hand" and "feel the softness of your skin." This is a moment of sensuality and tenderness, as the speaker reveals his physical attraction to the beloved, but it is also a moment of transcendence, as the physical touch becomes a gateway to the spiritual realm. The use of the word "hold" is significant, as it implies a sense of possession, of protection, of commitment. The image of the "softness" of the skin also suggests a sense of vulnerability, of delicacy, of beauty.
The fifth stanza shifts the focus of the poem from the speaker's desire to the beloved's response, as she "smiles and nods" and "lets her hand be taken." This is a moment of reciprocity and affirmation, as the beloved acknowledges and reciprocates the speaker's love and desire. The use of the word "smiles" is significant, as it implies a sense of joy, of happiness, of mutual pleasure. The image of the "hand" being taken also suggests a sense of trust, of surrender, of mutual consent.
The sixth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker declares that "we are two eternities" and that their love will endure beyond the limits of time and space. This is a moment of transcendence and affirmation, as the speaker transcends the limitations of the physical world and affirms the eternal nature of their love. The use of the word "eternities" is significant, as it implies a sense of timelessness, of infinity, of transcendence. The image of the "two" also suggests a sense of unity, of harmony, of completeness.
In conclusion, "Song" is a poem of love, longing, and transcendence that explores the tension between the material and the spiritual, the finite and the infinite, the visible and the invisible. Through its use of imagery, language, and form, the poem creates a rich and complex tapestry of emotions and ideas that resonate with readers of all ages and cultures. Whether read as a love poem, a philosophical meditation, or a spiritual quest, "Song" remains a timeless masterpiece of poetic expression that speaks to the deepest yearnings of the human heart.
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