We will explore how Rilke wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art to give meaning to life, through writing beautiful, deeply moving poems.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
We will sketch the life of Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926) including his unhappy childhood, his restless wanderings throughout Europe, his period as secretary to the sculptor Rodin, his sometimes ambiguous relationships with women and his early death from leukaemia.
What will we cover?
Against the background of Rilke's biography, we will read and discuss some of his major short poems from New Poems (1908) in the first session; extracts from the Duino Elegies in the second; and a number of the Sonnets to Orpheus and other late poems in the last. We will try to illuminate their meaning by referring to his novel, The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge, and to Letters to a Young Poet published after his death.
We will read the poems and prose in English translation with the German originals available for those who wish. We will use Martyn Crucefix’s translation of the Duino Elegies and sometimes compare a couple of versions of the shorter poems to help us understand the beauty and subtlety of Rilke’s writing.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand how Rilke responded to the spiritual conditions of the late 19th and early 20th century.
Appreciate his originality.
Enjoy reading and discussing some great poems.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should be interested in modern poetry. No other particular skills are needed.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The sessions are run in a seminar style with all students included in discussions led by the tutor. You will receive copies of the materials the previous week so you can read them to be ready to discuss them.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no other costs. Copies of the poems and other materials will be provided electronically beforehand and on paper for each session. It is helpful to bring a pen.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Poetry courses in the Literature programme under Culture, History and Humanities/Literature/Poetry at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Laurie Smith has taught poetry writing and literature courses at the City Lit for some years, focussing on modernism and writers' radicalism. He researches and lectures at King's College London, helped to found Magma poetry magazine which he sometimes edits and has been a Trustee of the Poetry Society.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/you-must-change-your-life-why-rilke-matters160159You Must Change Your Life: why Rilke mattershttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/y/o/you-must-change-your-life-rilke-hlt52-square.jpg5959GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Poetry22851177118711901228511771187<p>We will explore how Rilke wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art to give meaning to life, through writing beautiful, deeply moving poems.</p> <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">We explore how Rilke wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art to give meaning to life, through writing beautiful, deeply moving poems.<br />
<br />
<br />
TUTOR BIOGRAPHY: <br />
Laurie Smith has taught poetry writing and literature courses at The City Lit for some years, focussing on modernism and writers’ radicalism. He researches and lectures at King’s College London, helped to found Magma poetry magazine which he sometimes edits and has recently been a Trustee of the Poetry Society.</div>253074026You Must Change Your Life: why Rilke matters5959https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/y/o/you-must-change-your-life-rilke-hlt52-square_3.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2027-03-02T00:00:00+00:00Mar 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHLT4085959You Must Change Your Life: why Rilke matters593859Laurie Smithyou-must-change-your-life-why-rilke-matters/hlt408-2627<p>We will explore how Rilke wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art to give meaning to life, through writing beautiful, deeply moving poems.</p>0000-Available|2027-03-02 00:00:00<p>We will sketch the life of Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926) including his unhappy childhood, his restless wanderings throughout Europe, his period as secretary to the sculptor Rodin, his sometimes ambiguous relationships with women and his early death from leukaemia.</p><p>We will explore how Rilke wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art to give meaning to life, through writing beautiful, deeply moving poems.</p><p>Against the background of Rilke's biography, we will read and discuss some of his major short poems from <em>New Poems</em> (1908) in the first session; extracts from the <em>Duino Elegies</em> in the second; and a number of the <em>Sonnets to Orpheus</em> and other late poems in the last. We will try to illuminate their meaning by referring to his novel, <em>The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge</em>, and to <em>Letters to a Young Poet</em> published after his death.</p><p>We will read the poems and prose in English translation with the German originals available for those who wish. We will use Martyn Crucefix’s translation of the <em>Duino Elegies</em> and sometimes compare a couple of versions of the shorter poems to help us understand the beauty and subtlety of Rilke’s writing. </p><ul><li>Understand how Rilke responded to the spiritual conditions of the late 19th and early 20th century. </li><li>Appreciate his originality. </li><li>Enjoy reading and discussing some great poems.</li></ul><p>You should be interested in modern poetry. No other particular skills are needed.</p><p>The sessions are run in a seminar style with all students included in discussions led by the tutor. You will receive copies of the materials the previous week so you can read them to be ready to discuss them. </p><p>There are no other costs. Copies of the poems and other materials will be provided electronically beforehand and on paper for each session. It is helpful to bring a pen.</p><p>Look for other Poetry courses in the Literature programme under Culture, History and Humanities/Literature/Poetry at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteraturePoetryvirtual595938HLT408NONETue02/03/27 - 16/03/2718:00 - 19:3018:0019:303 sessions (over 3 weeks)31 to 4 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetLaurie SmithAvailable courses2027-03-02T00:00:00+00:00Mar 2027Culture, history & humanities5959You Must Change Your Life: why Rilke mattersyou-must-change-your-life-why-rilke-matters/hlt408-2627<p>We will explore how Rilke wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art to give meaning to life, through writing beautiful, deeply moving poems.</p>0000-Available|2027-03-02 00:00:00<p>We will sketch the life of Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926) including his unhappy childhood, his restless wanderings throughout Europe, his period as secretary to the sculptor Rodin, his sometimes ambiguous relationships with women and his early death from leukaemia.</p><p>We will explore how Rilke wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art to give meaning to life, through writing beautiful, deeply moving poems.</p><p>Against the background of Rilke's biography, we will read and discuss some of his major short poems from <em>New Poems</em> (1908) in the first session; extracts from the <em>Duino Elegies</em> in the second; and a number of the <em>Sonnets to Orpheus</em> and other late poems in the last. We will try to illuminate their meaning by referring to his novel, <em>The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge</em>, and to <em>Letters to a Young Poet</em> published after his death.</p><p>We will read the poems and prose in English translation with the German originals available for those who wish. We will use Martyn Crucefix’s translation of the <em>Duino Elegies</em> and sometimes compare a couple of versions of the shorter poems to help us understand the beauty and subtlety of Rilke’s writing. </p><ul><li>Understand how Rilke responded to the spiritual conditions of the late 19th and early 20th century. </li><li>Appreciate his originality. </li><li>Enjoy reading and discussing some great poems.</li></ul><p>You should be interested in modern poetry. No other particular skills are needed.</p><p>The sessions are run in a seminar style with all students included in discussions led by the tutor. You will receive copies of the materials the previous week so you can read them to be ready to discuss them. </p><p>There are no other costs. Copies of the poems and other materials will be provided electronically beforehand and on paper for each session. It is helpful to bring a pen.</p><p>Look for other Poetry courses in the Literature programme under Culture, History and Humanities/Literature/Poetry at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteraturePoetryconfigurable
11901187Poetryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/poetry1/2/285/1177/1187/11901/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Poetry
