'Under The Moon' by William Butler Yeats
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I have no happiness in dreaming of Brycelinde,
Nor Avalon the grass-green hollow, nor Joyous Isle,
Where one found Lancelot crazed and hid him for a while;
Nor Uladh, when Naoise had thrown a sail upon the wind;
Nor lands that seem too dim to be burdens on the heart:
Land-under-Wave, where out of the moon's light and the sun's
Seven old sisters wind the threads of the long-lived ones,
Land-of-the-Tower, where Aengus has thrown the gates apart,
And Wood-of-Wonders, where one kills an ox at dawn,
To find it when night falls laid on a golden bier.
Therein are many queens like Branwen and Guinevere;
And Niamh and Laban and Fand, who could change to an otter or fawn,
And the wood-woman, whose lover was changed to a blue-eyed hawk;
And whether I go in my dreams by woodland, or dun, or shore,
Or on the unpeopled waves with kings to pull at the oar,
I hear the harp-string praise them, or hear their mournful talk.
Because of something told under the famished horn
Of the hunter's moon, that hung between the night and the day,
To dream of women whose beauty was folded in dis may,
Even in an old story, is a burden not to be borne.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Under The Moon: A Poem Analysis
Oh my gosh, have you read "Under The Moon" by William Butler Yeats? It's a classic poem that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for over a century. The imagery, symbolism, and themes present in this poem are so rich and layered, it's no wonder it has become a staple in the literary canon.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:
I have heard, and I believe it true,
Out of the mouths of children you have the truth of things,
And in my heart I'd like to turn a spade;
I shall not ask for wine, nor meat nor bread,
That children's hearts may not be vexed with me
And moral teachers touch their lips with chalk.
Parnell came down the road, he said to a cheering man:
Ireland shall get her freedom and you still break stone.
He stood among the crowd, he stood upon the hill,
He pointed to the metal, upon the finger of a king,
Saying that was all his gold, and he gave it to a beggar.
O Socrates, if mortal man could change his wisdom for your bliss,
Twisted every leaf of the white rose bush until they turned to black,
Then an evil power on every leaf lay writhing, crying between my knees,
Until all the ghosts cried out, 'No hiding place!'
There, through wind and rain and the bitter snow,
The prisoner spoke of gold and wealth and pride.
That young man hears the mill-sails turning round and round;
He hears the song of the women coming down
To washerwoman and cobbler, to commons and noblemen,
He hears the cry of the sentinel, 'The night is calm and still.'
Thus spoke to me the dreamer in his dream.
Analysis
Wow, there is so much going on in this poem. Let's break it down.
Stanza 1
The poem opens with the speaker stating that they believe children speak the truth, and they want to be honest as well. They don't want to ask for anything that will burden children or make them feel like they need to be moral teachers. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker seems to be grappling with the idea of truth and what it means to be truthful.
Stanza 2
The second stanza references Charles Stewart Parnell, an Irish political leader who fought for Irish independence from Britain in the late 1800s. Parnell is addressing a cheering crowd, promising them freedom, while also acknowledging the fact that many of them are still working as manual laborers. He points to the ring on his finger and says it's all the gold he has, and he gives it to a beggar. This can be interpreted as a criticism of the British monarchy and their wealth, as well as a call for solidarity among the Irish people.
Stanza 3
This stanza is a bit more abstract, as the speaker addresses Socrates and talks about the idea of wisdom and happiness. They mention a white rose bush turning black, which could be a metaphor for corruption or decay. The idea of an evil power writhing between the speaker's knees is eerie and unsettling, and the ghosts crying out for "no hiding place" adds to the sense of unease.
Stanza 4
The fourth stanza is the most vivid and specific in terms of its imagery. The speaker describes a prisoner speaking about gold, wealth, and pride, while also hearing the sound of mill-sails turning and women singing. The cry of the sentinel that the night is calm and still adds a sense of foreboding to the scene. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the prison industrial complex, or simply as a metaphor for the human condition.
Stanza 5
The final stanza seems to tie the previous stanzas together, as the speaker references a dreamer who is speaking to them in a dream. This dreamer seems to be aware of all the previous events in the poem, as they reference Parnell and the prisoner. They also hear the cry of the sentinel, linking back to the fourth stanza. The dreamer's words are cryptic and open to interpretation, but they seem to be offering some kind of insight into the themes of the poem.
Themes
So what are the themes present in "Under The Moon"? Here are a few that stand out:
Truth and Honesty
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, as the speaker expresses their desire to be truthful and honest. Throughout the rest of the poem, there are references to people speaking truthfully (the children, Parnell, the dreamer) and the consequences of being dishonest (the ghosts crying out). The poem seems to be asking what it means to be truthful in a world that can be corrupt and deceptive.
Power and Wealth
The second stanza is the most overt in terms of its criticism of power and wealth. Parnell is portrayed as a hero for giving away his gold to a beggar, while the British monarchy is implicitly criticized for their wealth and control over Ireland. The idea of a prisoner speaking about gold and wealth adds another layer to this theme, as it suggests that even those who are not in positions of power are still affected by these issues.
Dreams and Reality
The final stanza brings up the idea of dreams and reality. The dreamer seems to be offering some kind of insight into the events of the poem, but it's unclear if their words are meant to be taken literally or metaphorically. The poem seems to be asking if there is a divide between dreams and reality, or if they are intertwined in some way.
Conclusion
"Under The Moon" is a complex and layered poem that offers insights into themes such as truth, power, and dreams. The vivid imagery and symbolism present in the poem create a sense of unease and mystery, inviting readers to interpret the text in their own way. It's no wonder that this poem has endured for over a century, as its themes and imagery are just as relevant today as they were when it was first written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Under The Moon: A Poem of Love and Longing
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their lyrical beauty, deep symbolism, and profound insights into the human condition. Among his many poems, "Under The Moon" stands out as a masterpiece of romantic poetry. This poem captures the essence of love and longing, and the yearning for a deeper connection with the beloved. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of "Under The Moon" and uncover the hidden meanings behind its words.
The poem begins with a description of the moon, which is a recurring symbol in Yeats' poetry. The moon represents the feminine, the mysterious, and the spiritual. In "Under The Moon," the moon is described as "pale" and "cold," which suggests a sense of distance and detachment. The speaker of the poem is looking up at the moon, and he feels a sense of awe and wonder. He is drawn to the moon's beauty, but he also feels a sense of sadness and longing. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on love and the search for meaning in life.
The second stanza introduces the theme of love. The speaker is in love with someone who is not present, and he longs to be with her. He describes her as "fair" and "pure," which suggests that she is an idealized figure. The speaker's love for her is intense and passionate, but it is also tinged with sadness and longing. He feels that he is separated from her by a great distance, both physical and emotional. This distance is symbolized by the moon, which is a constant presence in the poem.
The third stanza introduces the theme of time. The speaker is aware that time is passing, and he feels a sense of urgency to be with his beloved. He describes the passing of time as a "swift flight," which suggests that life is fleeting and precious. He also describes the moon as a "clock," which suggests that time is a constant presence in our lives. The speaker is aware that time is running out, and he feels a sense of urgency to make the most of his life.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of death. The speaker is aware that death is inevitable, and he feels a sense of sadness and fear. He describes death as a "shadow," which suggests that it is a dark and mysterious presence. He also describes the moon as a "ghost," which suggests that death is a constant presence in our lives. The speaker is aware that death is always lurking in the background, and he feels a sense of urgency to make the most of his life before it is too late.
The fifth stanza brings together the themes of love, time, and death. The speaker is aware that his love for his beloved is the only thing that can give his life meaning. He describes his love as a "star," which suggests that it is a guiding light in his life. He also describes his beloved as a "queen," which suggests that she is a powerful and regal figure. The speaker is aware that time is running out, and he feels a sense of urgency to be with his beloved before it is too late. He is also aware that death is a constant presence in his life, and he feels a sense of fear and sadness.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close. The speaker is still looking up at the moon, but now he feels a sense of peace and acceptance. He realizes that his love for his beloved is eternal, and that it will survive even after death. He describes his love as a "flame," which suggests that it is a powerful and enduring force. He also describes the moon as a "friend," which suggests that it is a comforting and familiar presence. The speaker is aware that his life is fleeting, but he feels a sense of peace and acceptance. He knows that his love for his beloved will endure, even after he is gone.
In conclusion, "Under The Moon" is a masterpiece of romantic poetry. It captures the essence of love and longing, and the yearning for a deeper connection with the beloved. The poem is rich in symbolism, imagery, and language, and it explores the themes of love, time, and death with great depth and insight. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and it reminds us that even in the face of death, love can endure.
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