Rainer Maria Rilke Poetic Style and Themes Rilke was sensitive
and introspective. His poetic style was rich and supple, varying
from the simple to the elaborate and profound. It is generally
characterized by striking visual imagery, musicality, and a
preponderant use of nouns. The erotic and spiritual love between
men and women is a constant theme. In tone Rilke's verse was
often mystical and prophetic; he used symbolism as a means of
expression and created poetry that bears a strong resemblance to
medieval verse. This resemblance may reflect Rilke's religious
outlook—his probing into the emotional and spiritual issues
involved in the search for goodness and transcendence in the
absence of a personal God and his absorption with death as a
poetic theme. Rilke was antimodern in many ways, an attitude
particularly evident in his antipathy for large modern cities.
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