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Yeats: Master of Symbolism in Poetry

This document discusses the use of symbolism in the poetry of W.B. Yeats. It notes that Yeats was a leading symbolist poet who made extensive use of symbols drawn from Irish folklore, mythology, philosophy and more. Some of the most important and recurring symbols in Yeats' poetry included birds, beasts, mythical creatures, the tower, the rose, and Helen. Yeats employed symbols in a complex way to represent deeper spiritual truths and realities. His symbolic technique allowed him to profoundly express the mystical dimensions of human experience.

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105 views2 pages

Yeats: Master of Symbolism in Poetry

This document discusses the use of symbolism in the poetry of W.B. Yeats. It notes that Yeats was a leading symbolist poet who made extensive use of symbols drawn from Irish folklore, mythology, philosophy and more. Some of the most important and recurring symbols in Yeats' poetry included birds, beasts, mythical creatures, the tower, the rose, and Helen. Yeats employed symbols in a complex way to represent deeper spiritual truths and realities. His symbolic technique allowed him to profoundly express the mystical dimensions of human experience.

Uploaded by

Suraj kumar pradhan
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Symbolism in the Poetry of W.B.

Yeats

Tamanna

Research Scholar, Department of English,NIILM University Kaithal

ABSTRACT

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was a renowned Irish poet. He was the last great poet in the English romantic
tradition. He is regarded as one of the most powerful modern poets of the early 20 th century. He evolved a
personal and individual mythology even while dealing with contemporary issues of his times. He alongwith T.S.
Eliot, was a leading symbolist poet. In 1923, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. His major poems
include “No Second Troy”, “The Second Coming”, “Sailing to Byzantium”, “A Prayer for my Daughter”,
“When you are old”, „Stolen Child”, “The lake of Innisfree”, “The Tower” etc.

Keywords : Yeats, poets, English Irish

Yeats poetry is replete with symbols and images. He has been regarded as one of the greatest symbolists in
English Literature. Aurthur Symons dedicated his book “The symbolist movement in literature (1991)” to W.B.
Yeats and called him “The chief representative of that movement in our country”, A symbol is basically a
suggestive invocation. In yeats‟s own words “a symbol is the possible expression of some visible essence, a
transparent lamp about a spiritual flame.

Yeats made use of complex system of symbol in his poems. In Jungian psychology it is stated that great symbols
well up from the depth of the racial memory. Yeats describes this racial memory as “Anima Mundi‟ or „Spiritual
Mundi.‟ He draws his symbols liberally from Irish folk-lore, mythology, alchemy, magic occult, philosophy,
metaphysics, paintings, drawings etc. His symbols and images belong to a very wide range of areas nature,
animals, birds, religion, personal possessions, historical events and phenomenon, mystic processes etc. Symbols
are of two types the traditional and personal yeats use of them ranges from the conventional to the most personal
and unexpected. Some of the important symbols used in his poetry are birds, beasts, mythical creatures, the
tower, the rose, Helen etc. Besides these there are other semi-mystical and philosophical symbols like gyres and
cones.

Yeats‟s symbols are all pervasive. There are a number of poems that are organized around certain key
symbols. In the volume of poems entitled “The Rose”, Rose is the key symbol. It symbolizes intellectual beauty,
austerity, the beauty of women specially that of Mand Gonne and Ireland as well. Yeats makes frequent use of
bird imagery in his poems. The „Swan‟ in „The Wild Swan Coole‟ is an ever recurring symbol. The swans stood

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for beauty and love, reminding the reader of spenser‟s “Prothalmion.” The bird cry in Yeats poems stands for
desire physical or spiritual.

Beast imagery also carries note worthy significance in Yeats poetry. The unicorn and “The Slouching
animal form” in “The second coming” are two fabulous creatures which are used as symbols by Yeats in his
poems. The unicorn has traditionally been taken as an emblem of the soul. The slouching beast or the monster in
“The second coming” is symbolic of the appear an of a new civilization antithetical to the present Christian
civilization :

“Turning and turning in the widening gyre. The falcon can‟t hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre can‟t
hold Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”

The falcon here is a symbol of intellect and the falconer is a symbol of soul. Byzantium is used by
Yeats as a symbol of the „dance‟ often appears in Yeats poetry and it is also closely related with Yeats „system‟.
Yeats generally uses this symbol to intricate either patterned movement or joyous energy.

“Helen being chosen found life flat and dull and later had much trouble from a fool.”

The above mentioned lines from “A Prayer for My Daughter” are highly symbolic. Here Helen
symbolizes destructive beauty and is linked with Maud Gonne. In the same poem, the Horn of Plenty and „the
laurel tree‟ are symbols of place, prosperity and happiness :

“Ceremony‟s name for the rich horn and custom for the spreading lourel tree.”

Yeats often uses his personal possessions buildings (The Tower etc.) in a symbolic manner Yeats use
of symbols from Irish Mythology and the occult also play an important role. In “A Dialogue of self and soul” we
get it opposing symbols. Sato‟s sword and the winding stairs. The winding stairs lead to darkness but Sato‟s
sword symbolizes the path of escape.

Thus Yeats was a great symbolist right from the beginning of his career to the very end. However
Yeats symbolic technique differs radically from that of the French symbolists Yeats symbols are not vague,
undifferentiated and emotional. They are haste and wiry in the tradition of those in the poetry of William Blake.
According to Tynadall :

Symbols made it possible for Yeats to express “the richness of Man‟s deeper reality” which is something
essentially mystical.

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Common questions

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Yeats’ symbolic techniques are distinct from those of French symbolists in their precision and contextual richness. While French symbolists often embraced abstract and indefinite symbolism, Yeats’ symbols are vivid, sharply defined, and imbued with personal or cultural significance, much in the tradition of William Blake. This approach allows Yeats to express complex philosophical ideas and emotions through a structured, coherent symbolic system, enabling readers to find meaning both in the immediate imagery and in the broader existential themes .

The swan, as used in Yeats' poetry, particularly in 'The Wild Swans at Coole', symbolizes beauty, love, and the transcendental. It draws a parallel to historical and romantic ideals, reminiscent of Spenser’s 'Prothalmion'. This symbol not only embodies Yeats' admiration for nature's eternal beauty but also serves as a contrast to the degenerative state of human affairs. By associating swans with both the timeless and the ephemeral, Yeats explores themes of aging, loss, and the longing for an ideal state of existence .

Yeats uses beast imagery, notably in "The Second Coming", to express his apprehension towards the transformation of civilization. The 'slouching beast' in the poem symbolizes the emergence of a new, perhaps more primitive and chaotic form of civilization, antithetical to the current Christian-centered society. This creature, along with the use of a 'widening gyre', predicts upheaval and the breakdown of established order, underscoring Yeats' belief in historical cycles and the inevitability of societal change .

Yeats employs a complex system of both traditional and personal symbols to imbue his poetry with depth and layered meanings. Traditional symbols often draw from Irish folklore, mythology, and religious motifs, such as the 'rose' symbolizing intellectual beauty and Ireland itself. Personal symbols, like the 'Tower' or 'gyres', represent internal struggles or philosophical beliefs, such as the cyclical nature of history and life. By using a blend of these symbols, Yeats transcends the surface of his subjects, allowing for a richer interpretation of human experience and society .

Yeats employs contrasting symbols like 'Sato's sword' and 'winding stairs' to explore existential themes of choice and duality. 'Sato’s sword' epitomizes clarity and decisiveness in choosing an enlightened path, while 'winding stairs' represent the complexity and often obscured nature of life's journey. These symbols collectively illustrate the inner conflict between succumbing to darkness and pursuing a path of enlightenment, reflecting Yeats’ deep engagement with themes of personal destiny and moral choice .

Personal symbolism in Yeats’ poetry, like the 'Tower' or personal possessions, reflects his introspection about identity and legacy. These symbols serve as anchors of his inner landscape, representing stability amidst change. The 'Tower', for instance, symbolizes timelessness and creative solitude, encapsulating both personal and national consciousness. Through these symbols, Yeats articulates the notion of an enduring self, struggling with the complexities of personal legacy and artistic immortality against the backdrop of societal flux .

In 'A Prayer for My Daughter', the symbol of 'Helen' represents destructive beauty, echoing the turmoil and folly brought about by superficial desires. In contrast, 'the laurel tree' symbolizes prosperity and stability, embodying a desire for enduring happiness and rootedness. These symbols capture the tension between the fleeting allure of physical beauty and the more substantial, stable virtues Yeats wishes for his daughter, reflecting a broader critique of societal values and personal aspirations .

Yeats’ symbolism manifests 'the richness of Man's deeper reality' by intricately layering symbols that capture both the mystical and tangible aspects of human existence. Through diverse images—ranging from mystical gyres to grounded personal symbols—Yeats transcends mundane reality, offering insights into the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of life. According to Tynadall, this nuanced symbolic lexicon enables Yeats to engage with the unseen forces shaping humanity, reflecting a profound understanding of the mystical essences driving human thought and behavior .

Yeats' concept of 'gyres' encapsulates his vision of history as a series of spirals or cycles, each representing different phases of human existence and societal change. This symbol serves as a framework in his poetry, illustrating the interconnectedness of opposites—creation and destruction, order and chaos—as part of a greater cosmic rhythm. In 'The Second Coming', for instance, the 'widening gyre' foresees a chaotic new era arising from the dissolution of the present age, exemplifying Yeats’ belief in inevitable cycles of transformation .

Yeats' integration of symbols from Irish mythology and the occult, such as the references to 'Masks' and 'Mundi', enriches his poems by connecting personal and national identity to ancient traditions. These symbols act as metaphors for reconciling the spiritual and material world, facilitating a deeper exploration of the mystical aspect of human existence. Such motifs allow Yeats to create a uniquely Irish context that simultaneously resonates with universal themes, thereby adding layers of significance to his exploration of time, fate, and destiny in his work .

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