Exploring the Depths of Human Existence: Elegías de Duino and Marks of Literariness

Exploring the Depths of Human Existence: Elegías de Duino and Marks of Literariness

Elegías de Duino, written by Rainer Maria Rilke and published in 1923, is a collection of ten poems in the German language. The title of the book is derived from the castle of Duino, near Trieste, Italy, which was owned by Rilke's friend and patron, Princess Marie von Thurn und Taxis-Hohenlohe. It was during his stay at this place, between October 1911 and May 1912, that the poet began composing the first two elegies. The rest of the elegies were written during his travels between Duino, Munich, Paris, and Muzot. Rilke completed the Elegías de Duino, consisting of 853 verses, in just a few weeks during the summer of 1921, after permanently settling in Switzerland.

Throughout the Elegías de Duino, Rilke delves into the theme of "the limitations and insufficiency of the human condition and the fracture of human consciousness... the loneliness of humanity, the perfection of angels, life and death, love and lovers, and the task of the poet." The central motif is man himself. In the fifth elegy, Rilke draws inspiration from Pablo Picasso's painting, "Les Saltimbanques," depicting six figures "in the middle of a desert landscape, and it is impossible to tell if they are arriving or leaving, beginning or ending their performance." Rilke uses them as a symbol of "human activity...always traveling and without a fixed abode, even in a more fleeting tone than the rest of us." Furthermore, Rilke suggests "the loneliness and definitive isolation of man in this incomprehensible world, practicing his profession from childhood to death as toys of an unknown will."

Rilke's early works were characterized by a sentimental and romantic style, influenced by the fin de siècle romanticism. However, his desire for transcendence became one of the fundamental themes in Elegías de Duino, which he considered the beginning of his "heart's work" (Herzwerk), surpassing his earlier phase of "face's work" (Werk des Gesichts), closely related to the figurative arts. Through the Elegías and the Sonnets to Orpheus, the poet manages to capture, with the greatest possible intensity, his unique worldview. After expressing the tragic feeling caused by the brevity of existence, he arrives at an almost mystical perception of the unity of life and death, proclaiming this monistic worldview through the use of bold and expressive mythopoetic metaphors.

Now, let's shift our focus to the concept of marks of literariness. This concept is associated with the Russian formalist school led by Roman Jakobson. The formalists viewed poetry as a language that is peculiarly self-aware. Poetry is composed of words, and literariness is closely tied to the particular use of literary language. Literary language is employed in a way that deviates from the familiar and everyday, presenting itself to the reader from a new perspective. It is characterized by connotation, ambiguity, subjectivity, and a polysemic nature.

In literary texts, connotative language plays a significant role. The words used in literary pieces are evocative, and their semantic value does not solely depend on the explicit code of the language. They are filled with many possibilities of interpretation, allowing for multiple meanings. This plurality of meaning, known as polisemy, refers to the various interpretations a literary text can have. The predominance of the poetic function in literary language aims to influence the reader's mood, evoking emotions and feelings. The aesthetic function takes precedence over the referential function.

The use of syntax in literary texts also exhibits certain characteristics. There is a flexibilization of syntactic rules, allowing for more creative and unconventional sentence structures. Additionally, the vocabulary used in literary texts is precise and irreplaceable. Each word has a specific significance and cannot be substituted with another. The vocabulary and syntax used are closely intertwined, creating a cohesive and unique literary style.

Figures of speech, or rhetorical devices, are also frequently employed in literature to enhance the richness and depth of the text. These devices, such as anaphora, metaphor, simile, and personification, add layers of meaning and evoke a sensory and emotional response from the reader.

In conclusion, both Elegías de Duino and the concept of marks of literariness provide insights into the depths of human existence and the unique qualities of literary language. Rilke's exploration of the human condition in his elegies resonates with the characteristics of literariness, such as connotative language, polysemy, the predominance of the poetic function, special use of syntax, precise vocabulary, and the employment of rhetorical devices. By understanding and appreciating these elements, we can delve into the profound beauty and complexity of literature.

Actionable advice:

1. Embrace the power of connotation: When writing, try to incorporate words and phrases that evoke emotions and multiple interpretations, adding depth to your work.
2. Experiment with syntax: Don't be afraid to break conventional syntactic rules to create unique sentence structures that engage and captivate your readers.
3. Explore rhetorical devices: Familiarize yourself with various figures of speech and employ them strategically in your writing to enhance its literary qualities and evoke a sensory and emotional response.

References:

• "Elegías de Duino - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre"
• "Marcas de literariedad: qué son, lista, ejemplos"