'Venetian Morning' by Rainer Maria Rilke
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Windows pampered like princes always see
what on occasion deigns to trouble us:
the city that, time and again, where a shimmer
of sky strikes a feeling of floodtide,
takes shape without once choosing to be.
Each new morning must first show her the opals
she wore yesterday, and pull rows
of reflections out of the canal
and remind her of the other times:
only then does she concede and settle in
like a nymph who received great Zeus.
The dangling earrings ring out at her ear;
but she lifts San Giorgio Maggiore
and smiles idly into that lovely thing.
Translated by Edward Snow
Editor 1 Interpretation
Venetian Morning by Rainer Maria Rilke
When one thinks of Venice, the first thing that comes to mind is its romantic atmosphere. Its gondolas, canals, and bridges are the epitome of beauty and tranquility. But in Rainer Maria Rilke's poem, "Venetian Morning," we see a different side of Venice.
A Detailed Analysis
The poem starts with a description of the early morning in Venice. The streets are empty, and the only sound that can be heard is the sound of water. The use of imagery in the first few lines paints a picture of a lonely Venice, far from the bustling tourist attraction it is today.
"Clad in her shining robe, the morning rises
Out of the silent sea, and with discreet
Step, steals into the city's secret places.
In Venice, 'neath Arcadian porticoes,
In canals, and tributary streams, she glides
Like one who, moving carefully, disturbs
The spirit of the place but little, and
With gentle touch awakens life anew."
The personification of the morning as a woman dressed in a shining robe adds a sense of elegance and grace to the poem. The use of the word "discreet" creates a sense of intimacy between the morning and the city.
As the poem progresses, Rilke describes the city awakening. The water in the canals starts to move, and boats start to appear. The use of the word "sculls" to describe the boats creates a sense of movement and rhythm.
"She bids the water murmur with the sculls,
And all at once the city starts to stir.
The dark canal grows busy with the hum
Of traffic, and the boats, with sturdy stroke,
Begin to ply their way through waves that roll
And break against the walls of palaces
Whose ancient marble fronts, unrestored,
Deflect the lapping water with disdain."
The use of words like "hum" and "sturdy stroke" create a sense of energy and movement. The imagery of the waves breaking against the walls of the palaces creates a sense of power and strength.
Rilke then goes on to describe the people of Venice. The use of the word "strange" to describe the people creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The description of their clothing adds to this sense of mystery.
"The people, strange in dress, now fill the square,
And through the narrow alleys, with a noise
That echoes from the walls, they hurry on
To work or worship, or to idle hours
Of pleasure, where the green lagoons reflect
The gold and scarlet of the setting sun."
The use of the word "noise" creates a sense of chaos and confusion. The contrast between the busy alleys and the peaceful lagoons creates a sense of balance in the poem.
The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the morning. Rilke describes the morning leaving the city, and the city returning to its silent state. The use of the word "flight" to describe the morning's departure creates a sense of sadness and longing.
"And now, the morning slowly takes her flight
From out the city's narrow streets and squares,
Leaving behind the memories of her dawn,
The empty alleys, silent canals,
And palaces whose ancient walls, unrestored,
Deflect the lapping water with disdain."
Interpretation
Rilke's "Venetian Morning" is more than just a description of the early morning in Venice. It is a meditation on the transience of life. The morning comes and goes, just as life comes and goes. The city awakens and falls silent, just as life is filled with activity and then comes to an end.
The use of personification in the poem creates a sense of intimacy between the morning and the city. The morning is not just a time of day, but a character that interacts with the city. This creates a sense of connection between the natural world and the human world.
The use of imagery in the poem creates a sense of beauty and tranquility, but also a sense of contrast. The busy alleys and silent canals create a sense of balance in the poem. The description of the people as "strange in dress" creates a sense of mystery and intrigue.
Conclusion
"Venetian Morning" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of Venice in the early morning. But it is more than just a description of a place. It is a meditation on the transience of life and the connection between the natural world and the human world. Rilke's use of personification and imagery create a sense of intimacy and beauty that will stay with the reader long after the poem is finished.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Venetian Morning: A Poetic Masterpiece by Rainer Maria Rilke
Rainer Maria Rilke, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and introspective poetry that explores the complexities of the human experience. His poem "Venetian Morning" is a beautiful example of his poetic genius, capturing the essence of Venice in its serene and tranquil beauty. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this classic poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the Venetian morning, with the poet observing the city from his balcony. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with the poet's keen eye for detail and his ability to capture the essence of the city in his words. The first stanza reads:
"The light along the canal floats and falls like slow rain, the reflections of palaces and bridges rippling upon the surface."
Here, Rilke uses imagery to paint a picture of the morning light as it reflects off the canal, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The use of the simile "like slow rain" adds to the tranquility of the scene, as if the light is gently falling upon the city. The reflections of the palaces and bridges on the surface of the canal create a ripple effect, adding to the beauty of the scene.
In the second stanza, the poet describes the sound of the morning in Venice, with the gondoliers singing as they row their boats through the canals. The stanza reads:
"The morning air is all awash with angels, the sound of whose wings is a melody that echoes through the alleys and canals; the gondoliers, in their striped shirts, are singing."
Here, Rilke uses metaphor to describe the morning air as being "awash with angels," creating a sense of spirituality and divinity in the scene. The sound of the gondoliers singing adds to the musicality of the morning, with their striped shirts adding to the visual beauty of the scene.
In the third stanza, the poet describes the architecture of Venice, with its palaces and churches rising up from the water. The stanza reads:
"Venice hangs in the air like a suspended dream, a city that is beautiful and melancholy like a face with deep-set eyes."
Here, Rilke uses metaphor to describe Venice as a "suspended dream," creating a sense of otherworldliness and enchantment. The city is described as both beautiful and melancholy, with its deep-set eyes symbolizing the history and culture of the city. The use of personification in the line "Venice hangs in the air" adds to the ethereal quality of the scene.
In the fourth and final stanza, the poet reflects on the transience of life and the impermanence of beauty. The stanza reads:
"Venetian morning, in which the light and the singing and the rising scent of bread knock at your heart. They pass and die, like a wave. What remains more deeply imprinted is this moment without an image, this longing that feels like a homecoming."
Here, Rilke uses imagery to describe the sensory experience of the morning, with the light, singing, and scent of bread creating a sense of nostalgia and longing. The use of the metaphor "like a wave" emphasizes the transience of the moment, with the beauty of the morning passing and dying like the ebb and flow of the tide. The final lines of the poem reflect on the deeper meaning of the moment, with the longing for homecoming symbolizing the human desire for connection and belonging.
In conclusion, "Venetian Morning" is a beautiful and profound poem that captures the essence of Venice in its serene and tranquil beauty. Rilke's use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism creates a sensory experience for the reader, transporting them to the canals of Venice and immersing them in the beauty of the morning. The poem reflects on the transience of life and the impermanence of beauty, reminding us to cherish the moments that we have and to find meaning in the fleeting beauty of the world around us.
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