Hello readers!!
This blog is part of thinking activity about the poem 'Second Coming ' by W.B.Yeats .
👉 About the author:-
William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) was an Irish poet, playwright, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. He was a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival and co-founded the Abbey Theatre. Yeats' poetry often explored themes of Irish mythology, mysticism, and the occult. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. Some of his notable works include.
"The Tower,"
"The Wild Swans at Coole,"
"The Second Coming."
Yeats co-founded the Abbey Theatre, which became the national theatre of Ireland, and his plays, such as "The Countess Cathleen" and "Cathleen ni Houlihan," contributed significantly to the revival of Irish drama. In addition to his theatrical works, Yeats is best remembered for his lyrical and symbolic poetry, characterized by its rich imagery, intricate symbolism, and musicality.
Throughout his life, Yeats remained deeply involved in Irish politics and cultural affairs, advocating for Irish nationalism and independence. He was a prominent member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and served as a senator in the Irish Free State for two terms.
In 1923, Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his profound poetic works, making him the first Irishman to receive the honor. His poetry continues to be celebrated for its profound insight, lyrical beauty, and enduring relevance to the human experience. Yeats passed away in 1939, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of poets, writers, and readers worldwide.
The Second Coming
By W. B.Yeats
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchyis 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 spiritual mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and head of 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?
👉Analysis of the poem:-
The Second Coming" by W.B. Yeats is a complex and enigmatic poem that reflects the poet's concerns about the state of the world and his vision of the future. Here's a brief analysis:
First Stanza: The poem begins with an image of chaos and disintegration, symbolized by the falcon representing civilization losing control and flying aimlessly. This sets the tone for the poem's themes of turmoil and uncertainty.
Second Stanza: Yeats introduces the idea of a "widening gyre," a spiral motion that suggests things are falling apart and moving further away from order. He contrasts this with the concept of a "centre" that cannot hold, indicating a loss of stability and coherence in the world.
Third Stanza: The imagery becomes more apocalyptic as Yeats describes anarchy "blood-dimmed tide"and violence "ceremony of innocence is drowned". This reflects the poet's disillusionment with the aftermath of World War I and the political upheavals of his time.
Fourth Stanza: Yeats introduces the figure of a "rough beast" slouching towards Bethlehem, a biblical reference to the Antichrist or some malevolent force. This image suggests the impending arrival of something ominous and destructive, further reinforcing the poem's apocalyptic tone.
Title:
The title "The Second Coming" refers to the Christian belief in the return of Jesus Christ for the Last Judgment. However, Yeats gives it a broader, metaphorical meaning, suggesting a new era or epoch is about to begin.
Structure and Language: The poem is written in a fragmented, free-verse style, with vivid and often surreal imagery. Yeats uses symbolism, allusions, and repetition to create a sense of foreboding and unease.
Overall, "The Second Coming" is a powerful and haunting meditation on the turmoil of Yeats's era and the anxieties of modernity, resonating with readers for its evocative language and timeless themes.
Here is the video of poem to understanding morehttps://youtu.be/IY2oIsA4c7k?si=Xc-OUq7HBTVL1a9F
Thank you.....💐💐
