William Butler Yeats Poems - Poem Analysis (2024)

‘Leda and the Swan’ is a standout sonnet by W.B. Yeats, featured in his 1928 collection, The Tower. The poem explores the Greek myth of Leda, seduced by Zeus as a swan, and is considered one of Yeats’ finest works.

'Leda and the Swan' is a sonnet that delves into Greek mythology, recounting the story of Leda, a princess from Aetolia, who is seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan. This union led to the birth of heroes and heroines, foundational figures in ancient Athens. The poem is a testament to Yeats' mastery of traditional poetic forms and his enduring fascination with mythology.

A sudden blow: the great wings beating still

Above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed

By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill,

He holds her helpless breast upon his breast.

‘Meru’ is one of Yeats’ standout poems that explores the futility of material civilization and the significance of spiritual quests.

'Meru' offers a critique of materialistic civilization and underscores the need for spiritual enlightenment. The poem contrasts the worldly pursuits symbolized by Mount Everest with the spiritual journey represented by Mount Meru. The speaker suggests that true fulfillment lies not in conquering physical landscapes but in undertaking spiritual journeys.

Civilisation is hooped together, brought

Under a rule, under the semblance of peace

By manifold illusion; but man's life is thought,

And he, despite his terror, cannot cease

‘The Song of Wandering Aengus’ is a compelling Yeats poem that delves into Aengus’ relentless search for a mystical girl he encountered in his youth.

Drawing from Celtic mythology, the poem narrates Aengus' life-altering quest to find a mysterious girl who transformed from a silver trout into a "glittering girl," only to vanish into the forest. This fleeting encounter becomes the defining moment of Aengus' life, fueling his undying hope and relentless search. While tinged with sorrow, the poem also carries an undertone of hope, as Aengus believes a glorious future awaits him once he finds her.

I went out to the hazel wood,

Because a fire was in my head,

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And cut and peeled a hazel wand,

And hooked a berry to a thread;

‘He Wishes His Beloved Were Dead’ by William Butler Yeats is a ballad in which one lover yearns for the death of the other so that they may be together as he wishes.

This evocative ballad delves into the darker aspects of love, where the speaker yearns for his lover's death so she may return as a ghost and submit to his will. The poem leaves readers to speculate what transgressions led the lover to distance herself from him. Through vivid imagery, the speaker suggests that in death, her untamed spirit will be subdued, allowing him to shape her into his ideal.

Were you but lying cold and dead,

And lights were paling out of the West,

You would come hither, and bend your head,

And I would lay my head on your breast;

William Butler Yeats’ poem ‘When You Are Old’is directly addressed to his lover, most probably Maud Gonne who was an Irish revolutionary.

In this dramatic monologue, Yeats speaks directly to a former lover, presumably Maud Gonne, about the love he had for her that went unreciprocated. Using the metaphor of a book, he emphasizes that while she has been loved by many, none have loved her as wholly as he has. The speaker hopes that this realization will bring her a sense of regret for leaving him.

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,

And nodding by the fire, take down this book,

And slowly read, and dream of the soft look

Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’ takes the reader through a speaker’s fantastical daydream to leave their world behind for the peace that nature brings.

One of Yeats' most celebrated works, this poem is a lyrical journey into the speaker's yearning for the tranquility of nature. Set in County Sligo, Ireland, the poem is divided into three sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the speaker's life: physical needs, spiritual peace, and the power of memory. The sensory recollections of Innisfree serve as a comforting escape for the speaker, even amidst the grey pavements of daily life. This piece stands as a defining example of the Celtic Revival, capturing the spirit of Ireland so authentically that it's inscribed in Irish passports.

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

‘The Circus Animals’ Desertion’ by W.B. Yeats describes moments of Yeats’ own experience when he struggled to find a theme to write on.

In this introspective poem, Yeats grapples with a creative block, feeling as though he has exhausted all his usual themes. The poet is confronted with the daunting prospect of turning inward for inspiration, to his own emotions and experiences. He concludes that relying solely on myths and tales for his work is no longer sufficient; it's time to explore new territories within his own heart.

I must be satisfied with my heart, although

Winter and summer till old age began

My circus animals were all on show,

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Those stilted boys, that burnished chariot,

‘The Sad Shepherd’ delves into the emotional landscape of a man accompanied only by his embodied sorrow, as he seeks solace in nature.

This poignant poem captures the essence of loneliness and despair. The speaker is haunted by his personified "Sorrow," a constant companion in his journey through a natural setting that offers no comfort. Despite the beauty of the stars, sky, and sea, they only seem to mock his pain. In a moment of desperation, he speaks into a conch shell, hoping for an echo, but is met with a hollow moan, leaving him with his unshakeable sorrow.

There was a man whom Sorrow named his friend,

And he, of his high comrade Sorrow dreaming,

Went walking with slow steps along the gleaming

And humming sands, where windy surges wend:

‘The Second Coming’ by William Butler Yeats delves into the tumultuous atmosphere of post-World War I Europe through apocalyptic imagery.

This iconic poem, penned in 1919, captures the collective anxiety of a world emerging from the First World War and entering the Irish War of Independence. Yeats employs Christian apocalyptic symbols to express the sense that the world is on the brink of a cataclysmic change. The poem's imagery, drawing heavily from the Book of Revelations, resonates deeply with the uncertainty of the era, making it one of Yeats' most impactful works.

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?

‘Easter, 1916’ is a reflection on the events surrounding the Easter Rising, an armed insurrection that began in Dublin on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916.

This seminal work by Yeats grapples with the Easter Rising of 1916, an armed insurrection against British rule in Ireland. The poem serves as an epitaph for the leaders executed for treason, acknowledging them as martyrs. Yeats initially expresses skepticism about the uprising but evolves to recognize its significance in uniting the Irish people. The poem concludes with the haunting line, "All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born," encapsulating the transformative impact of the event.

I have met them at close of day

Coming with vivid faces

From counter or desk among grey

Eighteenth-century houses.

Yeats’ poems are continually referenced in popular culture, including the poem ‘Sailing to Byzantium’. Its first line, “That is no country for old men…” was used for the title of Cormac McCarthy’s popular novel, “No Country for Old Men,” later adapted for the big screen.

Yeats had already won the Nobel Prize in Literature when he came to write 'Sailing to Byzantium'. However, the poem arguably represents the peak of the poet's considerable powers. It is a deeply immersive reflection on some of the issues that pervaded Yeats work throughout his career: art, mysticism and the possibility of eternal life. Not only that, but it contains individual lines as powerful as any the poet ever produced, none more so than the simple declaration: "That is no country for old men".

That is no country for old men. The young

In one another's arms, birds in the trees,

—Those dying generations—at their song,

The salmon-falls, the mackerel-crowded seas,

‘A Prayer for my Daughter’ by William Butler Yeats speaks about the poet’s family. It demonstrates his concern and anxiety over the future wellbeing and prospects of his daughter, Anne.

Yeats's poetry often delves into themes of love, nature, politics, and mysticism. In 'A Prayer for my Daughter,' he explores familial love, morality, and growth, with a lyrical grace that exemplifies his distinctive poetic style. His ability to blend the personal with the universal helps the poem resonate across different cultures and generations.

I have walked and prayed for this young child an hour

And heard the sea-wind scream upon the tower,

And under the arches of the bridge, and scream

In the elms above the flooded stream;

‘A Coat’ by William Butler Yeats describes the poet’s own writing practice through the metaphor of an embroidered coat that is stolen and used by others.

I made my song a coat

Covered with embroideries

Out of old mythologies

From heel to throat;

‘A Dream of Death’ is a poem about one such dream that uses strong imagery to build an image that is touching both with and without its historic context.

I dreamed that one had died in a strange place

Near no accustomed hand;

And they had nailed the boards above her face,

The peasants of that land,

‘A Prayer for my Son,’ written from the perspective of a father who wants to protect his son against all odds during the brewing war in Ireland. Read the poem with a complete analysis.

Bid a strong ghost stand at the head

That my Michael may sleep sound,

Nor cry, nor turn in the bed

Till his morning meal come round;