The open is in the interpreted world: an interpretation of Rilke’s Eighth Elegy

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to propose an unusual interpretation of the poetic concept of the “open” that Rainer Maria Rilke presents in the eighth elegy of his Duino Elegies. To do so, firstly, I will try to undo one of the most classical readings of Rilke’s concept of the open in philosophy: its metaphysical rigidity. Secondly, I will point out that Martin Heidegger’s interpretation of the open does not consider relevant aspects of the eighth elegy that would question the idea, defended by Heidegger, that for Rilke the human being has no possibility for the open. Thirdly and finally, I will reinterpret the open in the light of Judith Butler and her concepts “apprehension” and “recognition” to point out that the open presents itself for the human being in the form of a continuous rupture between construction and breakdown.