On the sublime...

[foray]

For Beauty's nothing
But beginning of Terror we're just still able to bear
And why we adore it so is
because it serenely
Disdains to destroy us.

--Rilke.

 

[Solar Supernova]

Look Foray, that is a nice poem you found, but Im going to admit what I hope wont turn out to be only me in saying, I have NO idea what the auther is trying to say with that.

So, instead, tell me what it means to you?

 

[foray]

The notion of the sublime is of something that is grand, beautiful and frightening at the same time. Examples are: death, standing in front of a rolling wave and feeling like you could get swallowed by it while thinking it looks incredibly beautiful, etc.

And why we adore it so is
because it serenely
Disdains to destroy us.
Two things. Firstly, Beauty is described as "serene" and "disdains..". It is something that just *is*. Secondly, it could 'destroy' us in a number of ways: by crumbling our convictions, or destroy us in the sense that it's so beautiful we ache because of it.


foray

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so bounce, basketball, bounce

 

[The Wanderer]

ah, interesting the translation I have of "Duino Elegies" reads:

Who, if I cried out, would hear me among the angels'
hierarchies? and even if one of them pressed me
suddenly against his heart: I would be consumed
in that overwhelming existence. For beauty is nothing
but the beginning of terror, which we still are just able to endure,
and we are so awed because it serenely disdains
to annihilate us. Every angel is terrifying.

 

[BabyGrace]

wow foray you are so intelligent. I never would've understood and appreciated that poem if you hadn't explained it. I love that one too Wanderer. you people are way too cool, and very smart

these point out some pretty interesting ideas, or rather you pointed them out for me

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I sing beneath the shadow of your wings...