Publication Date:
2025
abstract:
This article examines Ludwig Klages’ influence on Emil Cioran’s work. Drawing on the theories
of Harold Bloom, Roland Barthes, Gilles Deleuze, and Julia Kristeva, it argues that Cioran did
not merely imitate the authors he read, contrary to Lucian Blaga’s claim in a 1959 essay, published
posthumously in 1962, titled Farsa originalitãþii. In this essay, Blaga asserted that Cioran had
copied the ideas, works, and style of his mentors—particularly Nietzsche, Klages, and Spengler—
without adding anything original to his own writing. However, a detailed analysis of Cioran’s
texts shows the opposite: intertextual passages that allowed him to craft a literary corpus rich in
cultural and multicultural elements, while remaining deeply original. German philosophy, especially
Klages’ ideas, undeniably shaped Cioran’s thinking, as shown by scholarly analyses. Still, this influence did not stop Cioran from expressing his unique reflections. The textual dialogue in
his works links diverse writings, where the transformation and the reworking of sources not only
highlight the variety of materials used, but also suggest a dynamic, evolving thought process. This
process reflects the vitality and constant evolution of Cioran’s ideas.
of Harold Bloom, Roland Barthes, Gilles Deleuze, and Julia Kristeva, it argues that Cioran did
not merely imitate the authors he read, contrary to Lucian Blaga’s claim in a 1959 essay, published
posthumously in 1962, titled Farsa originalitãþii. In this essay, Blaga asserted that Cioran had
copied the ideas, works, and style of his mentors—particularly Nietzsche, Klages, and Spengler—
without adding anything original to his own writing. However, a detailed analysis of Cioran’s
texts shows the opposite: intertextual passages that allowed him to craft a literary corpus rich in
cultural and multicultural elements, while remaining deeply original. German philosophy, especially
Klages’ ideas, undeniably shaped Cioran’s thinking, as shown by scholarly analyses. Still, this influence did not stop Cioran from expressing his unique reflections. The textual dialogue in
his works links diverse writings, where the transformation and the reworking of sources not only
highlight the variety of materials used, but also suggest a dynamic, evolving thought process. This
process reflects the vitality and constant evolution of Cioran’s ideas.
Iris type:
1.1 Articolo in rivista
Keywords:
Emil Cioran, Ludwig Klages, Lucian Blaga, intertextuality, Romanian literature
List of contributors:
Carannante, Irma Maria Grazia
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