Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
William Butler Yeats, a central figure in the Irish Literary Revival and a Nobel laureate, masterfully employed symbolism in his poetry to explore themes of nationalism, spirituality, and the human condition. His symbols are rarely static; they evolve and gain layers of meaning across his oeuvre, often reflecting his changing philosophical beliefs. The poems "Easter, 1916," "The Second Coming," and "Byzantium" represent distinct phases in Yeats’s poetic development, each utilizing a unique symbolic language to grapple with profound societal and personal anxieties. This answer will explicate the significance of key symbols in these poems, demonstrating how Yeats used them to convey complex ideas about history, change, and the search for enduring artistic and spiritual values.
Easter, 1916
“Easter, 1916” commemorates the Easter Rising, a pivotal event in Irish history. Yeats’s initial response was ambivalent, and this is reflected in his symbolic choices. The poem doesn’t glorify the rebels outright but explores the transformative power of sacrifice.
- The Falcon & The Hawk: Initially, Yeats describes the rebels as “motley,” suggesting a lack of seriousness. However, the image of the falcon, “far off and free,” symbolizes a transcendent ideal, a heroic spirit that has broken free from the mundane. This contrasts with the more grounded, earthly image of the hawk.
- Green & Brown: The colors green and brown represent Ireland and the earth, respectively. Their repetition emphasizes the connection between the rebels and their homeland, but also the grounding of their actions in the physical world.
- Stone & Heart: The “stone” symbolizes the cold, unyielding nature of political reality, while the “heart” represents the passionate, emotional commitment of the rebels. The poem suggests that the stone has been awakened by the heart, leading to a profound and irreversible change.
The Second Coming
“The Second Coming” is arguably Yeats’s most famous poem, written in the aftermath of World War I and reflecting a deep sense of societal disintegration. The poem’s symbolism is apocalyptic and draws heavily on Yeats’s esoteric beliefs.
- The Falcon & The Centre: The poem opens with the image of a falcon “spinning in a gyre,” losing its connection to the “centre.” This symbolizes the breakdown of order and the loss of a unifying principle in the modern world. The gyre itself represents a cyclical view of history, with each cycle culminating in chaos before a new order emerges.
- The Rough Beast: The central symbol of the poem is the “rough beast,” a monstrous creature slouching towards Bethlehem. This beast represents the forces of chaos and barbarism that are about to be unleashed upon the world. Its origins are deliberately ambiguous, drawing on Egyptian mythology (Sphinx) and suggesting a primal, irrational power.
- The Desert: The desolate landscape of the desert symbolizes the spiritual emptiness and moral decay of modern civilization.
Byzantium
“Sailing to Byzantium” and “Byzantium” represent Yeats’s search for artistic and spiritual perfection. Byzantium, the ancient city of Constantinople, becomes a symbol of a timeless, idealized realm where art and spirituality are harmoniously united.
- The Golden Bird: The golden bird symbolizes the artistic and spiritual perfection that Yeats seeks. It represents a realm beyond the limitations of the physical world, a place where the soul can achieve immortality through art.
- The Dying Body & The Artifice: Yeats contrasts the decaying human body with the enduring beauty of Byzantine art. He desires to escape the cycle of birth and death by transforming himself into a work of art, a “golden bird” that will live forever.
- The Mackerel-crowded Sea: The sea, teeming with life, represents the chaotic and transient nature of the physical world. It is a realm of constant change and decay, which Yeats seeks to transcend.
- The Emperor’s Solemn Dignity: The Emperor represents the power and authority of the Byzantine Empire, but also its spiritual and artistic achievements.
In "Byzantium," Yeats moves away from the nationalistic fervor of "Easter, 1916" and the apocalyptic vision of "The Second Coming" towards a more personal and aesthetic quest for immortality through art. The symbols in this poem are less about historical events and more about the artist’s desire to create something enduring and transcendent.
Conclusion
Yeats’s masterful use of symbolism across these three poems reveals a complex and evolving worldview. From the initial ambivalence towards Irish nationalism in “Easter, 1916” to the apocalyptic anxieties of “The Second Coming” and the aesthetic quest for immortality in “Byzantium,” his symbols consistently reflect his engagement with the major intellectual and historical currents of his time. His symbolic language is not merely decorative; it is integral to the meaning of his poems, allowing him to explore profound themes with nuance and depth. The enduring power of Yeats’s poetry lies in his ability to create symbols that resonate with readers across generations, prompting them to contemplate the mysteries of history, art, and the human spirit.
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.