'Herr, Es Ist Zeit' by Rainer Maria Rilke

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1902Herr: es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß.
Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren,
und auf den Fluren laß die Winde los.Befiehl den letzten Früchten voll zu sein;
gieb innen noch zwei südlichere Tage,
dränge sie zur Vollendung hin und jage
die letzte Süße in den schweren Wein.Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr.
Wer jetzt allein ist, wird es lange bleiben,
wird wachen, lesen, lange Briefe schreiben
und wird in den Alleen hin und her
unruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Herr, Es Ist Zeit by Rainer Maria Rilke: A Deep Dive Into the Soul

Every once in a while, we come across a piece of writing that hits us like a bolt of lightning. Rainer Maria Rilke's "Herr, Es Ist Zeit" is one such poem. With its hauntingly beautiful language and profound themes, this poem has earned its place in the canon of great literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meaning and significance of "Herr, Es Ist Zeit" in depth.

Context and Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the context and background that shaped Rilke's writing. Rainer Maria Rilke was born in Prague in 1875, and he is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. As a young man, Rilke traveled extensively throughout Europe, immersing himself in the art and culture of various countries. His experiences abroad greatly influenced his writing, and his work is known for its lyrical beauty and spiritual depth.

"Herr, Es Ist Zeit" was written in 1902, during a period of great personal turmoil for Rilke. He had just ended a tumultuous affair with the artist Lou Andreas-Salomé, and he was struggling to come to terms with his own mortality. The poem is part of Rilke's larger collection of poetry, "Das Stundenbuch" (The Book of Hours), which is a meditation on the human condition and the search for spiritual meaning.

Analysis

Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. "Herr, Es Ist Zeit" is a short, four-line poem, but it packs a powerful punch. Let's take a closer look at each line and explore its meaning.

Herr, es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß.

The poem begins with a direct address to God: "Herr" (Lord). This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a prayer or meditation. The first line translates to "Lord, it is time." This can be interpreted in a number of ways. On a literal level, Rilke may be referring to the changing of the seasons. The summer has ended, and it is time for autumn. However, the line can also be read as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker recognizes that his time on earth is limited and that he must make the most of it.

The second half of the line, "Der Sommer war sehr groß" (The summer was very big), is a reference to the idea of "carpe diem" or "seize the day." The summer, like life, is fleeting and must be savored while it lasts. The use of the word "groß" (big) emphasizes the importance of the summer and the need to appreciate it fully.

Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren,

The second line is a request for God to "lay [his] shadow on the sundials." This can be interpreted in a number of ways. On a literal level, the speaker may be asking God to make the days shorter so that he can enjoy more time with his loved ones. However, the line can also be read as a plea for God to help the speaker slow down and appreciate the present moment. The sundial is a symbol of timekeeping, and the speaker may be asking God to help him break free from the constraints of time and live in the present.

und auf den Fluren laß die Winde los.

The third line is a metaphorical request for God to "let the winds loose on the fields." This can be interpreted in a number of ways. On a literal level, the speaker may be asking God to bring a refreshing breeze to alleviate the heat of the summer. However, the line can also be read as a plea for God to bring change and renewal to the world. The speaker recognizes that change is inevitable and necessary for growth and development.

Befiehl den letzten Früchten voll zu sein;

The final line is a command for God to "command the last fruits to be full." This can be interpreted in a number of ways. On a literal level, the speaker may be asking God to ensure a bountiful harvest. However, the line can also be read as a plea for God to help the speaker live his life to the fullest. The "last fruits" can be seen as a metaphor for the end of life, and the speaker is asking God to help him make the most of his remaining time.

Interpretation

Now that we have analyzed the poem line by line, let's explore its deeper meaning and significance. "Herr, Es Ist Zeit" is a meditation on the human condition and the search for spiritual meaning. The poem can be read as a plea for God's guidance and assistance in navigating the complexities of life.

One of the key themes of the poem is the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker recognizes that his time on earth is limited and that he must make the most of it. The use of the word "groß" (big) emphasizes the importance of the summer and the need to appreciate it fully. The poem can be seen as a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of every moment.

Another theme of the poem is the importance of living in the present moment. The sundial is a symbol of timekeeping, and the speaker may be asking God to help him break free from the constraints of time and live in the present. The poem can be seen as a reminder that we should not dwell on the past or worry about the future, but rather focus on the present moment and appreciate it fully.

The last two lines of the poem are particularly significant. The speaker is asking God to "let the winds loose on the fields" and "command the last fruits to be full." These lines can be seen as a plea for change and renewal. The speaker recognizes that change is inevitable and necessary for growth and development. The poem can be seen as a reminder that we should embrace change and be open to new experiences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Herr, Es Ist Zeit" is a powerful and deeply moving poem. Rainer Maria Rilke's use of language and imagery creates a sense of urgency and longing that resonates with readers. The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways, but at its core, it is a meditation on the human condition and the search for spiritual meaning. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of every moment. It is a call to live in the present moment and embrace change and renewal. "Herr, Es Ist Zeit" is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and move readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Herr, Es Ist Zeit: A Masterpiece of Rainer Maria Rilke

Rainer Maria Rilke, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that has become a classic in the world of literature. The poem, titled "Herr, Es Ist Zeit" or "Lord, It Is Time," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human existence and the inevitability of death. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Rilke to convey his message.

The poem begins with a plea to the Lord, asking him to intervene in the speaker's life. The speaker is aware of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, and he implores the Lord to help him make the most of his time on earth. The first line of the poem, "Herr, es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß," translates to "Lord, it is time. The summer was very great." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the passing of time and the transience of life.

The second line of the poem, "Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren," translates to "Lay your shadow on the sundials." This line is a metaphor for the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The sundial is a symbol of time, and the shadow represents death. The speaker is asking the Lord to hasten the passing of time and bring him closer to death.

The third line of the poem, "und auf den Fluren lass die Winde los," translates to "And let loose the winds on the fields." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's desire to experience life to the fullest. The winds represent the freedom and excitement of life, and the fields represent the world in which the speaker lives. The speaker is asking the Lord to allow him to experience the full range of human emotions and to live life to the fullest.

The fourth line of the poem, "Befiehl den letzten Früchten voll zu sein," translates to "Command the last fruits to be full." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's desire to achieve his goals and fulfill his potential before he dies. The last fruits represent the speaker's accomplishments, and the command represents the speaker's determination to achieve his goals.

The fifth line of the poem, "Gib ihnen noch zwei südlichere Tage," translates to "Give them two more southern days." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's desire to extend his life and experience more of the world. The southern days represent the warmth and beauty of life, and the speaker is asking the Lord to give him more time to experience these things.

The sixth and final line of the poem, "dränge sie zur Vollendung hin und jage," translates to "Urge them to completion and chase." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's desire to achieve his goals and fulfill his potential before he dies. The speaker is asking the Lord to push him towards his goals and to help him achieve them before he dies.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of six lines, each with a specific purpose and meaning. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Rilke to convey his message without being constrained by a specific rhyme or meter. The lack of rhyme and meter also adds to the poem's sense of urgency and desperation.

Rilke uses several literary devices to convey his message in "Herr, Es Ist Zeit." One of the most prominent devices is metaphor. Rilke uses metaphor throughout the poem to convey the speaker's desires and emotions. The sundial, the winds, the fields, and the fruits are all metaphors that represent the passing of time, the freedom of life, the world in which the speaker lives, and the speaker's accomplishments, respectively.

Another literary device used by Rilke is repetition. The phrase "Herr, es ist Zeit" is repeated at the beginning of the poem and serves as a refrain throughout the poem. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the speaker's urgency and desperation and reinforces the poem's central theme of the passing of time and the inevitability of death.

Rilke also uses imagery to convey his message in "Herr, Es Ist Zeit." The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, and it helps to create a sense of urgency and desperation. The image of the sundial and the shadow, the winds on the fields, and the southern days are all powerful images that help to convey the speaker's desires and emotions.

In conclusion, "Herr, Es Ist Zeit" is a masterpiece of Rainer Maria Rilke that captures the essence of human existence and the inevitability of death. The poem's structure, literary devices, and imagery all work together to create a powerful and evocative message that resonates with readers to this day. Rilke's use of metaphor, repetition, and imagery helps to convey the speaker's desires and emotions and reinforces the poem's central theme of the passing of time and the inevitability of death. "Herr, Es Ist Zeit" is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move readers around the world.

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