'Woman In Love' by Rainer Maria Rilke


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That is my window. Just now
I have so softly wakened.
I thought that I would float.
How far does my life reach,
and where does the night begin

I could think that everything
was still me all around;
transparent like a crystal's
depths, darkened, mute.

I could keep even the stars
within me; so immense
my heart seems to me; so willingly
it let him go again.

whom I began perhaps to love, perhaps to hold.
Like something strange, undreamt-of,
my fate now gazes at me.

For what, then, am I stretched out
beneath this endlessness,
exuding fragrance like a meadow,
swayed this way and that,

calling out and frightened
that someone will hear the call,
and destined to disappear
inside some other life.


Translated by Edward Snow

Editor 1 Interpretation

Woman In Love: A Deep Dive into Rilke's Masterpiece

Have you ever read a poem that left you in awe, that made you want to read it over and over again? If not, then you haven't read Rainer Maria Rilke's Woman In Love. This masterpiece of a poem is one of Rilke's most profound works, and it is a literary gem that every poetry lover should read.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into Woman In Love, exploring the themes, the language, and the imagery used by Rilke to create this remarkable poem. So, let's get started, shall we?

Background Information

Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, it is essential to understand a bit about Rilke and his literary style. Rilke was a German poet and novelist who is widely considered one of the most significant poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their intense emotional depth, philosophical themes, and lyrical language.

Woman In Love was written in 1912 and was included in Rilke's third collection of poetry, called "The Book of Images." The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. Instead, Rilke uses language and imagery to create a sense of rhythm and musicality.

Analysis of the Poem

The Theme of Love

The central theme of Woman In Love is love, specifically the love between a man and a woman. Rilke explores the various aspects of love, from its overwhelming intensity to its painful longing. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which represents a different stage in the journey of love.

The first stanza describes the overwhelming sensation of falling in love. Rilke uses vivid imagery to convey the intensity of the emotions felt by the woman in love. He writes:

She feels it stirring in her now - so faint,
So secret - like the sap beneath the ground,
Its shoots already groping for the light 
It will flower into - tomorrow or next year. 

The woman is filled with an intense feeling, a stirring in her that is barely noticeable. However, it is powerful enough to make her heart race, and she knows that this feeling will blossom into something more significant in the future.

The second stanza explores the complexities of the relationship between the man and the woman. Rilke acknowledges that love is not always easy, and it can be painful and confusing. He writes:

Yet love comes over her like a summer rain,
Unbidden and unmerited, and fills
Her world with sudden, unaccustomed hues.
She loves him; he loves her not; but yet 
She loves him still, and cannot help herself.

The woman's love for the man is unrequited, and she knows it. However, she cannot help the way she feels, and her love continues to grow, even though it causes her pain.

In the final stanza, Rilke explores the idea of the woman's love for the man transcending time and space. He writes:

Her love for him is more than she can bear,
And so she gathers it around her like
A cloak, and wills it to another plane.
She loves him now, she loved him yesterday,
She’ll love him still when all the stars have died. 

The woman's love for the man is so intense that it transcends time and space. She loves him not only in the present but also in the past and the future. Her love for him is eternal, and it will continue even when the universe ceases to exist.

The Use of Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of Woman In Love is the imagery used by Rilke. He uses images from nature to convey the emotions felt by the woman in love. For example, in the first stanza, he compares the woman's stirring emotions to the sap beneath the ground, waiting to bloom into a flower. This image conveys the idea that the woman's love is just beginning to grow, but it will blossom into something beautiful.

In the second stanza, Rilke uses the image of a summer rain to describe the woman's love for the man. This image conveys the idea that love is uncontrollable and can come in unexpected ways.

In the final stanza, Rilke uses the image of a cloak to describe the woman's love for the man. This image conveys the idea that the woman's love is all-encompassing and protects her from the harsh realities of the world.

The Use of Language

Rilke's use of language in Woman In Love is poetic and lyrical. He uses language to create a sense of musicality and rhythm in the poem. For example, in the first stanza, he uses alliteration to create a sense of flow and movement. The repetition of the "s" sound in "So secret - like the sap" creates a sense of fluidity, which mirrors the woman's stirring emotions.

In the second stanza, Rilke uses repetition to emphasize the woman's unrequited love. The repetition of the phrase "She loves him" highlights the woman's intense feelings for the man, even though he does not love her in return.

In the final stanza, Rilke uses repetition again to emphasize the eternal nature of the woman's love. The repetition of the phrase "She loved him" reinforces the idea that the woman's love is not limited by time or space.

Interpretation of the Poem

Woman In Love is a profound poem that explores the complexities of love. Rilke uses vivid imagery and poetic language to convey the intense emotions felt by the woman in love. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which represents a different stage in the journey of love.

At its core, Woman In Love is a poem about unrequited love. The woman's love for the man is intense and overwhelming, but it is not reciprocated. However, the woman's love transcends time and space, and it remains eternal, even when the universe ceases to exist.

The poem can be interpreted as a meditation on the nature of love and its ability to endure despite the obstacles that may arise. The woman's love for the man is not based on his feelings for her, but on her own deep and abiding emotions. This interpretation suggests that love is not limited by the external factors that may affect a relationship, but is instead a powerful force that exists within the individual.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Woman In Love is an extraordinary poem that explores the depths of love and its ability to endure despite the obstacles that may arise. Rilke's use of imagery and language creates a sense of musicality and poetic beauty that makes the poem a joy to read. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and its ability to transcend time and space. If you haven't read Woman In Love, then you are missing out on one of the most profound and beautiful poems ever written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Rainer Maria Rilke's poem "Woman In Love" is a classic piece of literature that explores the complex emotions of a woman who is deeply in love. The poem is a beautiful and poignant expression of the joys and sorrows of love, and it captures the essence of what it means to be in love.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the woman in question as being "like a bird in the air," suggesting that she is free and unencumbered by the constraints of the world around her. This image of freedom is further reinforced by the description of the woman's movements as being "light and swift," as if she is dancing on air.

As the poem progresses, the speaker delves deeper into the woman's emotions, describing her as being "full of longing" and "aching with desire." These lines suggest that the woman is deeply in love and is yearning for the object of her affection. The use of the word "aching" is particularly powerful, as it conveys a sense of physical pain that is often associated with intense emotional longing.

The speaker goes on to describe the woman's thoughts and feelings in more detail, painting a vivid picture of her inner turmoil. The woman is described as being "torn between hope and fear," suggesting that she is unsure of whether her love will be reciprocated. This uncertainty is further reinforced by the line "she does not know if she will be loved in return," which highlights the vulnerability and insecurity that often accompany love.

Despite her doubts and fears, the woman remains steadfast in her love, as evidenced by the line "she loves with all her heart." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the woman is willing to give everything she has to the object of her affection, regardless of whether her love is returned.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the woman's pain and suffering. The line "her heart is heavy with sorrow" suggests that the woman's love is not being reciprocated, and that she is experiencing a great deal of emotional pain as a result. This is further reinforced by the line "she weeps bitter tears," which conveys a sense of deep sadness and despair.

Despite her pain, however, the woman remains resolute in her love. The line "she will love him until the end of time" suggests that her love is eternal and unchanging, and that she will continue to love the object of her affection even if he does not love her in return.

The poem ends on a bittersweet note, with the speaker describing the woman as being "like a flower in the rain." This image suggests that the woman's love is fragile and delicate, and that it is vulnerable to the storms of life. However, it also suggests that her love is beautiful and pure, and that it will continue to bloom even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, Rainer Maria Rilke's poem "Woman In Love" is a beautiful and poignant expression of the joys and sorrows of love. The poem captures the essence of what it means to be in love, and it explores the complex emotions that accompany this powerful emotion. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Rilke paints a vivid picture of a woman who is deeply in love, and who is willing to endure great pain and suffering in order to remain true to her feelings. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, and to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

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