Doctor of Sciences (Philology), Associate Professor, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow, Russia, averkina.svetlanalunn@mail.ru, ORCID ID: AGR-4299-2020
This article explores the evolution of aesthetic and philosophical reflections on the phenomenon of death in the works of Rainer Maria Rilke. Central to the analysis is the concept of a ‘mature’ or ‘one’s own’ death, first articulated in The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge and later developed in Rilke’s subsequent poetry. The study argues that the recognition and acceptance of one’s own death as part of a ‘greater path’ became a structural principle of Rilke’s artistic worldview, with the motif of ‘ascent’ serving as an organizing element in his poetics. The proposed hypothesis also draws on contemporary responses to Rilke’s death, particularly that of M.I. Tsvetaeva, who admired his personality and was deeply attuned to his stylistic vision. The author suggests that Rilke may be regarded as the founder of a distinct form of religiosity — neither institutional nor dogmatic, but poetic and “Orphic” — in which the artist functions as a spiritual guide into the symbolic dimension of existence.
Rainer Maria Rilke; poetics; poetic genres; concept of mature death.
Download textFor citing: Averkina S.N. (2025) “Rainer. Maria. Rilke. In your Hands”: a knowledge of death as a poetological problem. Human being: Image and essence. Humanitarian aspects. Moscow. INION RAN. Vol. 3 (63). pp. 34-54. DOI: 10.31249/chel/2025.03.02