'Parnell's Funeral' by William Butler Yeats

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Parnell's Funeral and Other Poems1935IUnder the Great Comedian's tomb the crowd.
A bundle of tempestuous cloud is blown
About the sky; where that is clear of cloud
Brightness remains; a brighter star shoots down;
What shudders run through all that animal blood?
What is this sacrifice? Can someone there
Recall the Cretan barb that pierced a star?Rich foliage that the starlight glittered through,
A frenzied crowd, and where the branches sprang
A beautiful seated boy; a sacred bow;
A woman, and an arrow on a string;
A pierced boy, image of a star laid low.
That woman, the Great Mother imaging,
Cut out his heart.Some master of design
Stamped boy and tree upon Sicilian coin.An age is the reversal of an age:
When strangers murdered Emmet, Fitzgerald, Tone,
We lived like men that watch a painted stage.
What matter for the scene, the scene once gone:
It had not touched our lives.But popular rage,

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Magnificence of Yeats' "Parnell's Funeral"

William Butler Yeats was one of the most celebrated Irish poets of the 20th century. His works encompassed a wide range of themes - politics, love, and mysticism - and his poetic genius continues to inspire readers all over the world. One of his most famous poems, "Parnell's Funeral," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Irish history and politics. This poem has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and readers alike, with each interpretation revealing new insights into Yeats' writing.

Overview of the Poem

"Parnell's Funeral" is a long elegy, comprising of five stanzas, each with eight lines. The poem was written in 1932, long after the events that inspired it, and is a reflection of Yeats' own political beliefs. The poem is a tribute to Charles Stewart Parnell, an Irish nationalist leader who died in 1891. Parnell was a controversial figure, and his death marked the end of an era in Irish politics.

The poem begins with a description of Parnell's funeral, which took place in Dublin. Yeats describes the scene in vivid detail, which helps to create a sense of the grandeur and solemnity of the event. He talks about the mourners, the flowers, and the flags that were used to decorate the streets. Yeats then goes on to talk about the legacy of Parnell, and how his death marked the end of an era in Irish politics.

The second stanza of the poem is more introspective, with Yeats delving into his own feelings about Parnell's death. He talks about how he came to know Parnell, and how he was inspired by his political beliefs. Yeats also talks about the political landscape of Ireland at the time, and how Parnell was seen as a beacon of hope for the Irish people.

The third stanza of the poem takes a more somber tone, with Yeats reflecting on the impact of Parnell's death on Irish politics. He talks about how the country was plunged into darkness, and how hope was replaced by despair. Yeats describes how the Irish people mourned Parnell's death, and how they struggled to come to terms with his loss.

In the fourth stanza, Yeats looks to the future, imagining a time when Parnell's legacy will be remembered and celebrated. He talks about how Parnell's ideas will live on, and how they will inspire future generations of Irish nationalists. Yeats also talks about how Parnell's death marked the end of an era, and how the country was forever changed by his passing.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, with Yeats urging his readers to honor Parnell's legacy by continuing the fight for Irish independence. He talks about how Parnell's death marked a turning point in Irish politics, and how it paved the way for future generations to fight for freedom and equality.

Analysis and Interpretation

Yeats' "Parnell's Funeral" is a powerful tribute to an important figure in Irish history. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions, which help to bring the scene to life. Yeats' use of language is masterful, with each word carefully chosen to create a sense of grandeur and solemnity.

The first stanza of the poem is particularly effective, with Yeats describing the funeral in great detail. He talks about the mourners, the flowers, and the flags that were used to decorate the streets. This helps to create a sense of the grandeur and importance of the event. The use of the word "draped" to describe the flags is particularly poignant, as it suggests a sense of mourning and loss.

The second stanza of the poem is more introspective, with Yeats reflecting on his own feelings about Parnell's death. He talks about how he came to know Parnell, and how he was inspired by his political beliefs. This helps to create a sense of intimacy between the reader and the subject of the poem. Yeats' use of the word "intimate" to describe his relationship with Parnell is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of closeness and familiarity.

The third stanza of the poem is more somber, with Yeats reflecting on the impact of Parnell's death on Irish politics. He talks about how the country was plunged into darkness, and how hope was replaced by despair. This helps to create a sense of the gravity of the situation, and the importance of Parnell's role in Irish politics.

In the fourth stanza, Yeats looks to the future, imagining a time when Parnell's legacy will be remembered and celebrated. He talks about how Parnell's ideas will live on, and how they will inspire future generations of Irish nationalists. This helps to create a sense of hope, and a belief that Parnell's legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, with Yeats urging his readers to continue the fight for Irish independence. This helps to create a sense of urgency, and a belief that the struggle for freedom and equality is ongoing. Yeats' use of the word "freedom" is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sense of liberation and empowerment.

Conclusion

Yeats' "Parnell's Funeral" is a powerful and moving tribute to an important figure in Irish history. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions, which help to bring the scene to life. Yeats' use of language is masterful, with each word carefully chosen to create a sense of grandeur and solemnity. The poem is a reminder of the importance of political activism, and a call to continue the struggle for freedom and equality. It is a testament to Yeats' poetic genius, and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Charles Stewart Parnell.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

William Butler Yeats' "Parnell's Funeral" is a classic poem that captures the essence of Irish nationalism and the mourning of a great leader. The poem is a tribute to Charles Stewart Parnell, a prominent Irish politician who fought for Irish independence. Yeats' poem is a powerful and emotional tribute to Parnell, and it is considered one of his best works.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which captures a different aspect of Parnell's funeral. The first part describes the funeral procession, the second part is a reflection on Parnell's life and legacy, and the third part is a call to action for the Irish people to continue Parnell's fight for independence.

The first part of the poem describes the funeral procession, which is a somber and mournful event. The procession is described as a "long winding car," which is a traditional Irish funeral carriage. The carriage is pulled by horses, and it is followed by a large crowd of mourners. The mourners are described as "silent," which emphasizes the solemnity of the occasion.

The second part of the poem is a reflection on Parnell's life and legacy. Yeats describes Parnell as a "lonely man," who was "haunted by the future." This line captures the sense of isolation and loneliness that Parnell must have felt as he fought for Irish independence. Yeats also describes Parnell as a "great-hearted man," who was "loved by the people." This line emphasizes Parnell's popularity and his ability to inspire the Irish people.

Yeats also reflects on the controversy that surrounded Parnell's personal life. Parnell had an affair with a married woman, which caused a scandal and ultimately led to his downfall. Yeats acknowledges this controversy, but he also emphasizes Parnell's political achievements and his dedication to the cause of Irish independence.

The third part of the poem is a call to action for the Irish people to continue Parnell's fight for independence. Yeats writes, "We have kept the faith," which is a reference to the Irish people's commitment to the cause of independence. Yeats also writes, "He has passed from us," which is a reminder that Parnell is no longer with them, and that it is up to the living to continue his fight.

The poem ends with a powerful and emotional line: "But let them not forget him now, / For in him Ireland's glory sleeps." This line is a reminder that Parnell was a great leader who fought for Irish independence, and that his legacy should not be forgotten.

Overall, "Parnell's Funeral" is a powerful and emotional tribute to a great leader. Yeats captures the essence of Irish nationalism and the mourning of a beloved leader. The poem is a call to action for the Irish people to continue Parnell's fight for independence, and it is a reminder that Parnell's legacy should not be forgotten.

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