Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
W.B. Yeats’s “The Second Coming,” written in 1919 in the aftermath of World War I and during the Irish War of Independence, is a seminal poem of the 20th century, renowned for its powerful and disturbing imagery. Central to understanding the poem’s apocalyptic vision is the concept of “Spiritus Mundi,” a Latin phrase meaning “spirit of the world.” Yeats conceived of Spiritus Mundi not merely as a philosophical idea, but as a concrete reality – a psychic realm containing the memories of all things that have ever existed, a collective unconscious accessible to poets and visionaries. This answer will explore how Yeats employs Spiritus Mundi in “The Second Coming” as a storehouse of the world’s phantasmagoria, shaping the poem’s imagery and conveying its sense of impending doom.
The Concept of Spiritus Mundi
Yeats’s understanding of Spiritus Mundi was deeply influenced by his involvement in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and his study of occult philosophy, particularly the writings of Plato, Plotinus, and Renaissance occultists like Marsilio Ficino. He believed that the world was not merely a material reality, but was permeated by a spiritual force – the Spiritus Mundi – which acted as a universal memory. This realm contained archetypes, symbols, and images accumulated throughout history, accessible through dreams, visions, and artistic creation. For Yeats, the poet’s role was to tap into this realm and bring forth its contents, often in fragmented and symbolic form.
Origins and Influences
The roots of Spiritus Mundi can be traced back to Neoplatonism, which posited a hierarchical universe emanating from “The One.” Plotinus, a key figure in Neoplatonism, described a “World Soul” that animated the cosmos. Yeats adapted this idea, envisioning Spiritus Mundi as a more dynamic and chaotic force. He also drew heavily from the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish mystic who claimed to have visited heaven and hell and described a spiritual world populated by spirits and symbols. Yeats believed that Swedenborg’s visions were evidence of the reality of Spiritus Mundi. Furthermore, the concept resonates with Jung’s collective unconscious, though Yeats arrived at his understanding independently.
Manifestation in “The Second Coming”
In “The Second Coming,” Spiritus Mundi manifests as a swirling vortex of images and symbols that overwhelm the speaker’s consciousness. The poem opens with the iconic lines, “Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer.” This gyre represents the cyclical nature of history, and the breakdown of order. The images that follow – “a shape with lion body and the head of a man,” “a gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,” and “the darkness drops again” – are not simply products of the speaker’s imagination, but are drawn from the depths of Spiritus Mundi. These images are deliberately ambiguous and unsettling, evoking ancient myths, religious iconography, and primal fears.
Symbolism and Archetypes
- The Sphinx-like Beast: The creature described in the poem is a composite being, drawing on Egyptian mythology (the Sphinx) and ancient representations of chaos and destruction. It represents a new, terrifying force emerging from Spiritus Mundi.
- The Rough Beast: This beast is not a benevolent deity, but a monstrous entity embodying the forces of disintegration and violence. Its “blank and pitiless” gaze suggests a complete lack of empathy or moral restraint.
- The Gyre: The widening gyre symbolizes the unraveling of the existing order and the approach of a new era, one characterized by chaos and barbarism.
The Role of Spiritus Mundi in the Poem’s Apocalyptic Vision
Yeats uses Spiritus Mundi to convey a sense of historical inevitability and impending doom. The poem suggests that the breakdown of Western civilization is not a random event, but a consequence of the cyclical nature of history and the emergence of forces long dormant within the collective unconscious. Spiritus Mundi acts as a conduit for these forces, bringing them to the surface and manifesting them in the poem’s terrifying imagery. The poem isn’t predicting a literal apocalypse, but rather a spiritual and cultural one – the collapse of traditional values and the rise of a new, brutal order. The poem’s power lies in its ability to tap into primal fears and anxieties, resonating with a sense of disillusionment and uncertainty that was prevalent in the aftermath of World War I.
| Concept | Manifestation in "The Second Coming" |
|---|---|
| Spiritus Mundi | Swirling vortex of images; Sphinx-like beast; chaotic symbols |
| Collective Unconscious | Archetypal imagery evoking primal fears and anxieties |
| Cyclical History | The widening gyre; the emergence of a new era |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Spiritus Mundi is not merely a decorative element in “The Second Coming,” but a fundamental principle shaping the poem’s vision and meaning. Yeats utilizes this concept as a storehouse of the world’s phantasmagoria, drawing on ancient myths, occult traditions, and the collective unconscious to create a powerful and disturbing portrayal of societal collapse. The poem’s enduring relevance lies in its ability to tap into universal anxieties about the fragility of civilization and the potential for chaos and violence. By understanding Yeats’s concept of Spiritus Mundi, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the poem’s complex symbolism and its profound message about the cyclical nature of history and the enduring power of the human imagination.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.