“The legend of saint marina” by Clemens Brentano: actualization of vita

The later work of Clemens Brentano, after a religious turning point in the life of the poet, develops in a situation of searching for new landmarks. Reconciliation with his own early work and the publication of literary works are made possible by the new authorial status acquired by Clemens Brentano. He becomes a charitable author, deducting royalties for published works in favor of the poor. The motivation for publishing The Legend of St. Marina is the desire to help people affected by the floods on the Danube in 1841. This goal forms the paratext (title page), determines the new composition of the poem and leads to the actualization of the life of St. Marina. Together with the poet Clemens Brentano and the painter Eduard von Steinle, the author of a drawing depicting scenes from the Vita to whom the introductory part of the poem is dedicated, she collects alms for people who are faced with a natural disaster. The eternal relevance of the Saint is connected with her Christian mercy, which is revealed in the main part of The Legend of Saint Marina. In the final part of the poem, St. Marina works miracles after her death, awakening conscience, repentance and mercy in people. Saint Marina, who during her lifetime shared bread and water with the poor, lived in harmony with nature, is endowed by Clemens Brentano with a new mission, corresponding to her human qualities and Christian position. In The Legend of St. Marina, from a legendary figure of the past, she turns into an active petitioner, reacting to the tragic contemporary events.