'On Hearing Of A Death' by Rainer Maria Rilke
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
We lack all knowledge of this parting. Death
does not deal with us. We have no reason
to show death admiration, love or hate;
his mask of feigned tragic lament gives us
a false impression. The world's stage is still
filled with roles which we play. While we worry
that our performances may not please,
death also performs, although to no applause.
But as you left us, there broke upon this stage
a glimpse of reality, shown through the slight
opening through which you dissapeared: green,
evergreen, bathed in sunlight, actual woods.
We keep on playiing, still anxious, our difficult roles
declaiming, accompanied by matching gestures
as required. But your presence so suddenly
removed from our midst and from our play, at times
overcomes us like a sense of that other
reality: yours, that we are so overwhelmed
and play our actual lives instead of the performance,
forgetting altogehter the applause.
Translated by Albert Ernest Flemming
Editor 1 Interpretation
On Hearing Of A Death: A Profound Exploration of Loss and Grief
Rainer Maria Rilke, the celebrated German poet, is widely regarded as one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. His works, including "Duino Elegies" and "Sonnets to Orpheus," explore themes of love, death, spirituality, and the complexities of human existence. In his poem, "On Hearing Of A Death," Rilke masterfully portrays the universal experience of loss and grief.
The Poem
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, creating a rhythmic and melodic effect. The poem begins with a somber and melancholic tone, as the speaker reflects on the news of a person's passing.
"We lack all knowledge of this parting. Death does not deal with us. We have no reason to show death admiration, love or hate; his mask of featfulness is our sole vision."
The speaker acknowledges the mystery and uncertainty surrounding death. He highlights the fact that death is an enigma, an entity that we have no control over or knowledge of. The reference to death's "mask of featfulness" suggests that death is a deceptive force that conceals its true nature and intentions.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the impact of death on the living. He acknowledges the profound sense of loss and the emotional turmoil that follows the death of a loved one.
"We get no answers from these eavesdroppers whose fate it is to live on without us. We would have loved them longer, but they couldn't stay. They left impressions with us, that is all."
The use of the metaphor "eavesdroppers" suggests that the living are mere bystanders in the face of death. They are unable to comprehend the reasons for death, and are left to grapple with the consequences of loss. The phrase "they left impressions with us" acknowledges that even though the dead are gone, their legacy and memory live on.
In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death, and the fleeting nature of life.
"Worthy of our wonder are these brief passion plays, performed by fleeting creatures in the immense, empty spaces of an earth that has been going on without us – for how long?"
The use of the phrase "passion plays" suggests that life is a dramatic performance, one that is brief and fleeting. The speaker acknowledges the insignificance of human existence in the vastness of the universe. This stanza reinforces the idea that death is a natural part of life, and that we must accept its inevitability.
The poem's final stanza concludes with a poignant reflection on the nature of grief and the process of mourning.
"But our grief, which as always is overburdened with meaning, does not need to be more so. We find comfort in indifference to others' fate, and in the very mystery that confounds us."
The use of the phrase "grief...overburdened with meaning" suggests that grief is a complex and multifaceted emotion. The speaker argues that we should not burden ourselves with excessive grief, but instead find comfort in accepting the mysteries of life and death.
Interpretation
"On Hearing Of A Death" is a deeply philosophical and introspective poem that explores the universal experience of loss and grief. Rilke's use of metaphor, symbolism, and imagery creates a poignant and emotive reflection on the nature of death and the process of mourning.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the speaker's acknowledgement of the mysteries of death. Rilke acknowledges the inherent uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding death, and suggests that we must accept its inevitability without seeking to understand its true nature. This theme is reinforced throughout the poem, and creates a feeling of solemn acceptance that is at once melancholic and comforting.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the speaker's reflection on the impact of death on the living. Rilke suggests that the dead leave a lasting legacy and memory, even though their physical presence is no longer with us. This theme emphasizes the importance of cherishing our loved ones while they are still with us, and of preserving their memory and legacy after they are gone.
The poem's final stanza is particularly poignant, as the speaker reflects on the process of mourning and the nature of grief. Rilke suggests that we should not burden ourselves with excessive grief, but instead find comfort in accepting the mysteries of life and death. This theme is both melancholic and comforting, and creates a sense of acceptance and closure that is essential to the mourning process.
Criticism
While "On Hearing Of A Death" is a poignant and emotive poem, some critics have suggested that it lacks a sense of hope or optimism. The poem's melancholic tone and acceptance of the inevitability of death may be seen as overly fatalistic or pessimistic.
Others have argued that the poem's use of metaphor and symbolism is too abstract, and may be difficult for some readers to fully comprehend. The poem's philosophical and introspective nature may also make it less accessible to readers who prefer more straightforward or narrative poetry.
However, these criticisms are largely outweighed by the poem's profound exploration of loss and grief, and its ability to evoke a sense of solemn acceptance and closure. "On Hearing Of A Death" is a masterful example of Rilke's poetic skill, and a testament to his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
On Hearing Of A Death: A Poetic Exploration of Grief and Transcendence
Rainer Maria Rilke, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound insights into the human condition, his lyrical language, and his ability to capture the essence of life's most complex emotions. In his poem "On Hearing Of A Death," Rilke explores the theme of grief and transcendence, offering a poignant reflection on the nature of loss and the possibility of spiritual transformation.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "We lack all knowledge of this parting." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of uncertainty and bewilderment in the face of death. Rilke acknowledges that death is a mystery that we cannot fully comprehend, and that the loss of a loved one can leave us feeling lost and disoriented.
However, Rilke does not dwell on the pain of loss for long. Instead, he shifts his focus to the idea of transcendence, suggesting that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a higher state of being. He writes, "We see no dawn / and no decline, / only the infinite sky / with no more trees." Here, Rilke suggests that death is not an end, but a beginning, a gateway to a new realm of existence beyond our earthly limitations.
Rilke's use of imagery is particularly striking in this poem. He describes the departed as "a wave that has been lifted up / and is now moving on." This metaphorical language conveys a sense of movement and fluidity, suggesting that the departed are not static, but rather in a state of constant motion and transformation. Rilke also uses the image of the sky to convey a sense of vastness and infinity, suggesting that the departed have transcended the limitations of our earthly existence and entered into a realm of boundless possibility.
The poem's final stanza is perhaps its most powerful. Rilke writes, "And yet within us a new / harmony is re-arranging itself; / and if we have courage / even a sinuous melody / may someday emerge from it." Here, Rilke suggests that the experience of loss can be transformative, leading to a new sense of harmony and balance within ourselves. He also suggests that this transformation requires courage, as we must be willing to confront the pain of loss and embrace the possibility of spiritual growth.
Overall, "On Hearing Of A Death" is a powerful meditation on the nature of grief and transcendence. Rilke's use of metaphorical language and vivid imagery creates a sense of movement and transformation, suggesting that death is not an end, but a transition to a higher state of being. The poem's final stanza offers a message of hope and resilience, suggesting that even in the face of loss, we have the capacity to find a new sense of harmony and balance within ourselves.
Editor Recommended Sites
Infrastructure As Code: Learn cloud IAC for GCP and AWSDart Book - Learn Dart 3 and Flutter: Best practice resources around dart 3 and Flutter. How to connect flutter to GPT-4, GPT-3.5, Palm / Bard
Dev Curate - Curated Dev resources from the best software / ML engineers: Curated AI, Dev, and language model resources
Little Known Dev Tools: New dev tools fresh off the github for cli management, replacing default tools, better CLI UI interfaces
AI Art - Generative Digital Art & Static and Latent Diffusion Pictures: AI created digital art. View AI art & Learn about running local diffusion models
Recommended Similar Analysis
A Bird Came Down by Emily Dickinson analysisA Drinking Song by William Butler Yeats analysis
Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair by Stephen C. Foster analysis
Fly , The by William Blake analysis
The Three Strangers by Thomas Hardy analysis
Love and Death by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Sonnet 71: No longer mourn for me when I am dead by William Shakespeare analysis
We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks analysis
Revenge by Letitia Elizabeth Landon analysis
Stanzas from the Grande Chartreuse by Matthew Arnold analysis