The Second Coming Summary By William Butler Yeats
The Second Coming Summary By William Butler Yeats is a
poem by William Butler Yeats, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th
century. It was first published in 1920 in his collection of poems called
"Michael Robartes and the Dancer". The poem is widely regarded as one
of Yeats' greatest works and is known for its powerful imagery and prophetic
tone.
The poem was written in the
aftermath of World War I, a time of great political and social upheaval in
Europe. Yeats was deeply disillusioned with the state of the world and believed
that a great change was coming, one that would have profound consequences for
humanity.
In "The Second Coming,"
Yeats uses vivid imagery and symbolism to explore his vision of this impending
change. The poem speaks to themes of apocalypse, rebirth, and the cyclical
nature of history. It has been interpreted in many ways over the years, and its
powerful language and imagery continue to captivate readers and scholars to
this day.
About Writer
William Butler Yeats was an Irish
poet, playwright, and politician, widely regarded as one of the greatest poets
of the 20th century. He was born in Sandymount, Ireland in 1865 and grew up in
a wealthy Anglo-Irish family. Yeats was deeply interested in Irish mythology
and folklore, and this interest greatly influenced his work as a writer.
In his early years, Yeats was
interested in painting and the occult, but it was his passion for poetry that
ultimately defined his career. He began writing poetry as a teenager and
quickly gained a reputation as a talented and innovative poet. His early work
was heavily influenced by the Romantic poets, particularly Percy Bysshe Shelley
and William Blake.
Yeats co-founded the Irish Literary
Theatre in 1899, which later became the Abbey Theatre, and became a central
figure in the Irish literary renaissance. He also played an active role in
Irish politics, serving as a senator in the Irish Free State from 1922 to 1928.
Yeats' poetry is known for its
lyrical beauty, intricate symbolism, and deep spirituality. He often explored
themes of Irish mythology, politics, and the occult, and his work is
characterized by a deep sense of longing for something beyond the material
world. His writing also reflects his deep concern for the fate of humanity,
particularly in the aftermath of World War I.
"The Second Coming" is
widely regarded as one of Yeats' greatest works. It was written in 1919, in the
aftermath of World War I, a time of great political and social upheaval in
Europe. Yeats was deeply disillusioned with the state of the world and believed
that a great change was coming, one that would have profound consequences for
humanity.
The poem is known for its powerful
imagery and prophetic tone. Yeats uses vivid language and symbols to convey his
vision of this impending change. The poem speaks to themes of apocalypse,
rebirth, and the cyclical nature of history.
Yeats' use of symbolism in
"The Second Coming" is particularly notable. The poem's title itself
is a reference to the Christian idea of the second coming of Christ, and Yeats
uses this religious imagery throughout the poem. The falcon, for example, is a
symbol of Christ, while the "rough beast" represents the antichrist.
Yeats' interest in Irish mythology
also plays a role in the poem. The phrase "the widening gyre" is a
reference to the gyres, or spirals, that appear in the mythological system of
the Irish poet and philosopher A.E. Yeats believed that history was cyclical,
and that each cycle was characterized by a particular set of beliefs and
values. In "The Second Coming," he suggests that the current cycle is
coming to an end, and that a new cycle is about to begin.
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Yeats' poetry has had a profound
influence on the world of literature. His innovative use of language and symbolism
has inspired countless writers, and his work continues to be studied and
admired today. His influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary
poets, from Seamus Heaney to Sylvia Plath.
In addition to his work as a poet,
Yeats was also a playwright and a key figure in the Irish literary renaissance.
He co-founded the Irish Literary Theatre in 1899, which later became the Abbey
Theatre, and his plays, including "The Countess Cathleen" and
"The Land of Heart's Desire," are still performed today.
Yeats' interest in the occult also
played a role in his work. He was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden
Dawn, a secret society that was dedicated to the study of the occult and
mysticism. This interest is reflected in many of his poems, including "The
Second Coming."
Summary
"The Second Coming" is a
poem by William Butler Yeats that was first published in 1920 in his collection
"Michael Robartes and the Dancer." The poem is widely regarded as one
of Yeats' greatest works and is known for its powerful imagery and prophetic
tone. It was written in the aftermath of World War I, a time of great political
and social upheaval in Europe, and Yeats was deeply disillusioned with the
state of the world.
The poem opens with the line
"Turning and turning in the widening gyre," which is a reference to
the gyres, or spirals, that appear in the mythological system of the Irish poet
and philosopher A.E. The phrase suggests a cyclical view of history, in which
each cycle is characterized by a particular set of beliefs and values. Yeats
believed that the current cycle was coming to an end, and that a new cycle was
about to begin.
The first stanza of the poem
describes a falcon that is soaring high in the sky, hunting for its prey. This falcon
is a symbol of Christ, and its "falconer" represents God. However,
the falcon is "unheeded," and it becomes "mere anarchy,"
suggesting that God is no longer in control of the world.
The second stanza introduces the
image of a "rough beast" that is moving towards Bethlehem. This beast
represents the antichrist and is characterized as "slouching,"
suggesting a lack of purpose or direction. The line "And what rough beast,
its hour come round at last, / Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?"
suggests that the beast is about to be born and that its arrival will have
apocalyptic consequences.
The poem's closing lines suggest
that a great change is coming, one that will have profound consequences for
humanity. The image of the "Second Coming" is used to suggest that
this change will be as significant as the second coming of Christ. However, the
change that Yeats envisions is not a positive one. The phrase "Things fall
apart; the centre cannot hold" suggests that the world is disintegrating,
and that chaos and anarchy are about to take hold.
In "The Second Coming,"
Yeats uses powerful imagery and symbols to explore his vision of an impending
change. The poem speaks to themes of apocalypse, rebirth, and the cyclical
nature of history. Yeats believed that history was cyclical, and that each
cycle was characterized by a particular set of beliefs and values. In "The
Second Coming," he suggests that the current cycle is coming to an end,
and that a new cycle is about to begin.
The poem's use of religious and
mythological imagery is also noteworthy. The falcon and the rough beast are
both symbolic of powerful forces that are beyond human control. The use of the
phrase "widening gyre" suggests a sense of inevitability, as though
the world is being drawn inexorably towards a catastrophic end.
The Second Coming Themes
"The Second Coming" by
William Butler Yeats is a poem that explores several themes, including
apocalypse, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of history. Through its use of
powerful imagery and symbols, the poem suggests that the world is on the brink
of a catastrophic change, one that will have profound consequences for
humanity. In this section, we will explore these themes in greater depth.
1. Apocalypse:
One of the central themes of
"The Second Coming" is apocalypse. The poem suggests that the world
is on the brink of a catastrophic change that will bring about the end of the
current cycle of history. The image of the "rough beast" slouching
towards Bethlehem is particularly evocative, suggesting that a powerful force
is about to be unleashed that will have apocalyptic consequences. The use of
religious imagery, including the falcon and the image of the Second Coming,
reinforces this theme, suggesting that the change that is coming will be as
significant as the end of the world as described in the Bible's Book of
Revelation.
2. Rebirth:
Despite the apocalyptic imagery of
the poem, there is also a sense of rebirth and renewal. Yeats believed that
history was cyclical, and that each cycle was characterized by a particular set
of beliefs and values. The image of the "widening gyre" suggests that
the current cycle is coming to an end, and that a new cycle is about to begin.
While the change that is coming may be catastrophic, it also has the potential
to bring about a new beginning. The phrase "the falcon cannot hear the
falconer" suggests a sense of chaos and disintegration, but it also
suggests that new forms of communication and understanding may emerge in the
wake of this breakdown.
3. Cyclical Nature of History:
The cyclical nature of history is a
central theme in "The Second Coming." Yeats believed that history
moved in cycles, each characterized by a particular set of beliefs and values.
The image of the "widening gyre" suggests that the current cycle is
coming to an end, and that a new cycle is about to begin. This cyclical view of
history is reinforced by the use of religious and mythological imagery, which
suggests that the current cycle is coming to an end and that a new era is about
to begin.
4. Disintegration:
Another theme that emerges in
"The Second Coming" is disintegration. The poem suggests that the
world is falling apart, and that chaos and anarchy are about to take hold. The
line "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold" suggests that the
world is disintegrating, and that the traditional sources of order and
stability are no longer effective. This theme of disintegration is reinforced
by the image of the falcon that cannot hear the falconer, suggesting that
communication and understanding are breaking down.
5. Loss of Control:
The loss of control is another theme
that emerges in "The Second Coming." The falcon and the rough beast
are both symbolic of powerful forces that are beyond human control. The image
of the falcon that is "unheeded" suggests that God is no longer in
control of the world, while the image of the rough beast slouching towards
Bethlehem suggests that the antichrist is about to be born and that humanity is
powerless to prevent it. This theme of loss of control is particularly poignant
in the aftermath of World War I, a time when many people felt disillusioned and
powerless in the face of global conflict.
Conclusion
"The Second Coming" is a complex and multi-layered
poem that explores several themes, including apocalypse, rebirth, the cyclical
nature of history, disintegration, and loss of control. Yeats uses vivid
imagery and powerful symbolism to convey a sense of impending doom and profound
change. The poem suggests that the world is on the brink of a catastrophic
transformation, one that will have profound consequences for humanity. Despite
the apocalyptic imagery, however, there is also a sense of rebirth and renewal,
as Yeats believed that each cycle of history was followed by a new beginning.
"The Second Coming" is a timeless work of poetry that continues to
resonate with readers today, serving as a warning of the potential consequences
of societal disintegration and the loss of control.
FAQ.
Q. What is "The Second Coming" about?
Ans. "The Second Coming"
is a poem by William Butler Yeats that explores themes of apocalypse, rebirth,
the cyclical nature of history, disintegration, and loss of control. The poem
suggests that the world is on the brink of a catastrophic transformation that
will have profound consequences for humanity.
Q. What is the meaning of the phrase "the falcon cannot
hear the falconer" in "The Second Coming"?
Ans. The phrase "the falcon
cannot hear the falconer" in "The Second Coming" suggests a
sense of chaos and disintegration, but it also suggests that new forms of communication
and understanding may emerge in the wake of this breakdown. It symbolizes the
breakdown of communication and the loss of control in society.
Q. What is the significance of the image of the "rough
beast" in "The Second Coming"?
Ans. The image of the "rough
beast" in "The Second Coming" is symbolic of a powerful force
that is about to be unleashed, one that will have apocalyptic consequences. It
suggests that the world is on the brink of a catastrophic change, one that will
bring about the end of the current cycle of history.
Q. What is the theme of rebirth in "The Second
Coming"?
Ans. Despite the apocalyptic
imagery of the poem, there is also a sense of rebirth and renewal. Yeats
believed that history was cyclical, and that each cycle was characterized by a
particular set of beliefs and values. The image of the "widening
gyre" suggests that the current cycle is coming to an end, and that a new
cycle is about to begin.
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