Analysis on W.B. Yeats's Poems
Analysis on W.B. Yeats's Poems
✰ Introduction :-
W.B. Years one of the great poet and writer in English Literature. He gave a very interesting and valuable contribution to the literature. "The Second Coming" by W.B. Yeats is a poem that explores the turbulent post-World War I period. Yeats uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey a sense of chaos and the breakdown of traditional values. And on the other side "On Being Asked for a War Poem" is a short poem by W.B. Yeats that reflects on the difficulty of writing about war. In response to a request for a war poem, Yeats expresses the challenges of capturing the true impact of war in words.
William Butler Yeats, known as W.B. Yeats, was a renowned Irish poet born on June 13, 1865, in Dublin. Growing up in an artistic family with a painter father, Yeats began his journey into poetry early in life. A central figure in the Celtic Revival, he played a pivotal role in reviving and celebrating Irish culture. Despite facing unrequited love with Maud Gonne, an Irish revolutionary, Yeats' poems were deeply influenced by Irish folklore and mysticism. T. S. Eliot pronounced Yeats "one of those few whose history is the history of their own time, who are a part of the consciousness of an age which cannot be understood without them."
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| W.B. Yeats (1865-1939) |
In 1923, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature, acknowledging the profound impact of his poetic works on the spirit of Ireland. Yeats' themes ranged from Irish mythology to love and mysticism, reflecting the changing political landscape of his homeland. His later works embraced complex symbolism, showcasing his evolution as a poet. W.B. Yeats' legacy endures as one of the greatest poets in the English language, leaving an indelible mark on Irish poetry and literature. W.B. Yeats is not a Georgian Poet, and also W.B. Yeats was not an imagist poet.
Major Works :-
1. "The Countess Cathleen" (1892)
2. "The Land of Heart's Desire" (1894)
3. "Cathleen ni Houlihan" (1902)
✰ Poems :-
1. "On being asked for a war poem" (1915) by William Butler Yeats
I think it better that in times like these
A poet's mouth be silent, for in truth
We have no gift to set a statesman right;
He has had enough of meddling who can please
A young girl in the indolence of her youth,
Or an old man upon a winter’s night.
2. "The Second Coming" (1920) by William Butler Yeats
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
Now let's analyse both the poems in detail...
2. "The Second Coming" :-
About the Poem :-
The poem uses Christian imagery regarding the Apocalypse and Second Coming to describe allegorically the atmosphere of post-war Europe. "The Second Coming" by W.B. Yeats is a poem that talks about a sense of chaos and confusion in the world, especially after World War I. It was written in 1919, during a time when society was going through a lot of changes. In simple language, the poem describes a feeling that things are falling apart, and the traditional ways of doing things are breaking down. Yeats uses vivid images and symbols to convey a sense of disorder and uncertainty. He talks about a "rough beast" that seems to be coming, suggesting a powerful force that is changing everything. The poem explores the idea that the world is entering a new era, and it might be challenging or even scary. Overall, it's a reflection on the upheavals of the time and the need for some kind of spiritual or societal renewal.
Archetype in this poem :-
"The Second Coming" by W.B. Yeats contains elements that can be interpreted through an archetypal lens. Archetypes are recurring symbols, characters, or themes that hold universal significance and resonate across different cultures and time periods. The falcon in the poem may represent an archetype of power and control. The falcon, initially well-trained, losing control may symbolize the breakdown of order and authority.
The image of the widening gyre, or spinning motion, is a recurring motif in Yeats' work. It can be seen as an archetypal symbol of cycles, representing the cyclical nature of history and the rise and fall of civilizations. The idea of a "second coming" itself is archetypal, often associated with the return of a powerful or divine figure. In this context, it could signify a momentous event or a shift in the course of history. The "rough beast" emerging at the end of the poem can be interpreted as an archetypal force representing chaos, destruction, or a radical transformation. Bethlehem, traditionally associated with the birth of Christ, becomes an archetypal symbol of significant events or changes in the world.
Critical Analysis :-
The poem begins by portraying a world in chaos, where "things fall apart" and traditional structures disintegrate. This reflects the aftermath of World War I and the breakdown of established tradition. The metaphor of the falcon losing control symbolizes the loss of order and authority. The falcon, which can no longer hear its owner, represents a society adrift and disconnected from its guiding principles.
The mention of the widening gyre suggests a spiraling motion, emphasizing the increasing disorder and the cyclical nature of historical events. The widening gyre reflects the widening gap between different forces pulling society apart. The concept of a "second coming" introduces a sense of anticipation and foreboding. It could signify the arrival of a significant historical or spiritual event, or the birth of a new era. The image of the "rough beast" moving towards Bethlehem represents a powerful and potentially destructive force emerging in the world. It signifies a radical transformation or a profound change on the horizon.
The poem carries apocalyptic undertones, suggesting a vision of significant upheaval and a turning point in history. Yeats uses stark and vivid language to convey the intensity of the depicted events. The themes of chaos, renewal, and cyclical patterns are universal, allowing readers to connect with the poem's imagery on a deeper level. The archetypal elements contribute to the poem's timeless quality.
About the poem :-
"On Being Asked for a War Poem" by W.B. Yeats is a short poem where the poet reflects on the challenge of writing about war. The poem addresses the difficulty of capturing the true impact of war through words. Yeats describes the limitations of language in expressing the horrors and complexities of conflict. The poet conveys a sense of frustration, suggesting that the true nature of war cannot be adequately conveyed through traditional poetic language. The poem touches on the profound challenges of articulating the experiences and emotions associated with war, emphasizing the inadequacy of words to fully capture its depth and impact.
Archetype in this poem :-
"On Being Asked for a War Poem" by W.B. Yeats is a relatively short and straightforward poem that doesn't prominently feature archetypal symbols or themes in the same way as some of his other works. The theme of war itself can be considered archetypal, as it has been a recurring element throughout human history. Wars and conflicts often carry universal symbols and emotions that resonate across cultures. Yeats expresses the difficulty of capturing the essence of war in words, suggesting that the experiences and emotions associated with war transcend ordinary language. This idea of something being beyond the grasp of language can be seen as an archetypal challenge in literature.
Critical Analysis :-
"On Being Asked for a War Poem" by W.B. Yeats, the poet reflects on the difficulty of writing about war. The poem begins with a sense of frustration as Yeats is asked to write about war. He expresses the challenge of using language to capture the true essence of the horrors and complexities of war. Yeats suggests that the experiences and emotions associated with war are beyond the reach of ordinary language. This speaks to the ineffable nature of war, highlighting its profound and often indescribable impact.
The poem delves into the limitations of artistic expression when confronting the harsh realities of war. Yeats grapples with the inadequacy of words to convey the depth of suffering and the intricate facets of the war experience. The poem indirectly comments on the societal expectations for artists to create works that encapsulate the collective sentiments of wartime. Yeats, however, seems to resist this pressure, emphasizing the difficulty of meeting such expectations.
Yeats employs a simple and direct language in this poem, yet the message is rich with complexity. The simplicity of language contrasts with the complexity of the subject matter, perhaps echoing the challenge of distilling the enormity of war into words. The theme of the poem, struggling to articulate the impact of war, is universal. It transcends its specific historical context and speaks to the challenges faced by artists in any era tasked with capturing the profound and often indescribable aspects of human experience.
Conclusion :-
In both poems, Yeats delves into profound themes, one addressing societal upheaval and transformation, and the other reflecting on the struggles of artistic expression in the face of war's indescribable nature. "The Second Coming" poem suggests a sense of anticipation for a significant event or transformation. In this poem "On being asked for war poem" the poet grapples with the limitations of language in capturing the complexities and horrors of war, emphasizing the ineffable nature of the experience.
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