ZWISCHENRÄUME. ZU EINEM MOTIVKOMPLEX IN RILKE ZWEITER “DUINESER ELEGIE” UND DESSEN TRADITION

The article deals with the motif of the “interspace” in Rilke´s second Duino Elegy. It shows its origins in natural philosophy (Lucrez) and cultural history (Herder) as well as its tradition in other literary texts (Jean Paul, Lew Tolstoi, Peter Handke or Joanne K. Rowling). In Rilke´s texts the motif is closely connected to certain geographical places he visited (Egypt, Duino, Venice). It is also affiliated with the legend of St. Alexius, who lived unrecognized beneath the stairs in his parent´s house – an example of the “interspace”, where one can have “great” experiences of transcendence without being over-burned or destroyed by them. Therefore, those “interspaces” are the ideal space for the poetic inspiration and creation.