'Easter, 1916' by William Butler Yeats
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I have met them at close of day
Coming with vivid faces
From counter or desk among grey
Eighteenth-century houses.
I have passed with a nod of the head
Or polite meaningless words,
Or have lingered awhile and said
Polite meaningless words,
And thought before I had done
Of a mocking tale or a gibe
To please a companion
Around the fire at the club,
Being certain that they and I
But lived where motley is worn:
All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
That woman's days were spent
In ignorant good-will,
Her nights in argument
Until her voice grew shrill.
What voice more sweet than hers
When, young and beautiful,
She rode to harriers?
This man had kept a school
And rode our winged horse;
This other his helper and friend
Was coming into his force;
He might have won fame in the end,
So sensitive his nature seemed,
So daring and sweet his thought.
This other man I had dreamed
A drunken, vainglorious lout.
He had done most bitter wrong
To some who are near my heart,
Yet I number him in the song;
He, too, has resigned his part
In the casual comedy;
He, too, has been changed in his turn,
Transformed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
Hearts with one purpose alone
Through summer and winter seem
Enchanted to a stone
To trouble the living stream.
The horse that comes from the road.
The rider, the birds that range
From cloud to tumbling cloud,
Minute by minute they change;
A shadow of cloud on the stream
Changes minute by minute;
A horse-hoof slides on the brim,
And a horse plashes within it;
The long-legged moor-hens dive,
And hens to moor-cocks call;
Minute by minute they live:
The stone's in the midst of all.
Too long a sacrifice
Can make a stone of the heart.
O when may it suffice?
That is Heaven's part, our part
To murmur name upon name,
As a mother names her child
When sleep at last has come
On limbs that had run wild.
What is it but nightfall?
No, no, not night but death;
Was it needless death after all?
For England may keep faith
For all that is done and said.
We know their dream; enough
To know they dreamed and are dead;
And what if excess of love
Bewildered them till they died?
I write it out in a verse -
MacDonagh and MacBride
And Connolly and pearse
Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Easter, 1916 by W.B. Yeats: A Literary Criticism
Wow, where do I even begin with this powerful piece of literature? Easter, 1916 is a poem that never fails to leave the reader moved and inspired, and for good reason. William Butler Yeats' profound understanding of the human condition is put on full display in this poem, as he examines the events of the Easter Rising in Ireland and the impact it had on the country and its people.
Background Information
For those who may not be familiar with the Easter Rising, it was an armed rebellion that took place in Ireland in 1916. A group of Irish nationalists sought to overthrow British rule and establish an independent Irish Republic. The rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, and the leaders were executed by the British government. Despite its failure, the Easter Rising is seen as a pivotal moment in Irish history and a catalyst for the eventual establishment of the Irish Free State.
The Poem's Structure
Easter, 1916 is composed of four stanzas, each containing sixteen lines. Notice anything significant about that number? That's right, there were sixteen leaders of the Easter Rising who were executed by the British government. Yeats intentionally chose this structure to pay homage to these martyrs and to ensure that their memory would not be forgotten.
The poem is also written in a form of poetry called terza rima, which is characterized by a rhyme scheme of aba bcb cdc ded. This form is quite difficult to execute effectively, but Yeats does it flawlessly. The use of terza rima adds to the overall musicality and flow of the poem, creating a sense of constant movement and progression.
The Poem's Themes
One of the most prominent themes in Easter, 1916 is the idea of sacrifice. Yeats recognizes the bravery and selflessness of the Irish rebels who gave their lives for a cause they believed in. In stanza two, Yeats writes:
"All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born."
This line is often interpreted as a reference to the sacrifice made by the rebels, and the birth of a new era in Irish history. The use of the word "terrible" is interesting, as it implies a sense of awe and respect for the magnitude of the event.
Another theme present in the poem is the idea of transformation. Yeats recognizes that the Easter Rising was a turning point in Irish history, and that the country would never be the same again. In stanza three, he writes:
"This other man I had dreamed
A drunken, vainglorious lout.
He had done most bitter wrong
To some who are near my heart,
Yet I number him in the song;
He, too, has resigned his part
In the casual comedy;
He, too, has been changed in his turn,
Transformed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born."
This passage is particularly powerful, as Yeats acknowledges that even those who were previously considered insignificant or unimportant can be transformed by an event as significant as the Easter Rising. This transformation is not always positive, as Yeats acknowledges the wrongs committed by the rebels in the name of their cause.
A third theme present in the poem is the idea of memory and remembrance. Yeats recognizes that the sacrifices made by the rebels must be remembered and celebrated, and that their memory should serve as a source of inspiration for future generations. In stanza four, he writes:
"We know their dream; enough
To know they dreamed and are dead;
And what if excess of love
Bewildered them till they died?
I write it out in a verse—
MacDonagh and MacBride
And Connolly and Pearse
Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born."
The final stanza serves as a call to action, urging the reader to remember the sacrifice made by these rebels and to continue fighting for the cause of Irish independence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Easter, 1916 is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of sacrifice, transformation, and memory. Yeats' use of structure and form adds to the overall musicality and flow of the poem, creating a sense of constant movement and progression. The poem serves as a tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives for the cause of Irish independence, and a call to action for future generations to continue fighting for that same cause. It is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Easter, 1916 is a classic poem written by William Butler Yeats, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. This poem is a tribute to the Irish rebels who fought for their country's independence from British rule. It was written in the aftermath of the Easter Rising, a rebellion that took place in Dublin in 1916. The poem is a reflection on the events of that time and the impact they had on Yeats and his country.
The poem begins with a description of the city of Dublin, which is portrayed as a peaceful and tranquil place. The speaker describes the "grey, eighteenth-century houses" and the "green waters" of the River Liffey. However, this peaceful scene is soon disrupted by the events of Easter 1916, which are described in the following lines:
"All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born."
These lines are perhaps the most famous in the poem and are often quoted as a symbol of the Easter Rising. They suggest that the events of Easter 1916 were a turning point in Irish history, a moment when the country was transformed forever.
The poem then goes on to describe the rebels who took part in the Easter Rising. Yeats portrays them as ordinary people who were driven to take up arms against the British by their love for their country. He describes them as "polite, meaningless words" who "fought for the freedom, their cause." This suggests that the rebels were not motivated by personal gain or glory, but by a desire to see their country free from British rule.
Yeats also pays tribute to the leaders of the Easter Rising, who he describes as "great hearts." He mentions several of the leaders by name, including Patrick Pearse, Thomas MacDonagh, and James Connolly. These men were all executed by the British after the rebellion, and Yeats' poem is a tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, as Yeats reflects on his own feelings about the Easter Rising. He admits that he was initially skeptical of the rebels and their cause, but that he was ultimately won over by their courage and determination. He describes how he "balanced all, brought all to mind" and realized that the rebels were "changed, changed utterly."
Yeats also reflects on the impact that the Easter Rising had on Irish society as a whole. He describes how the rebellion "shook the whole world" and how it inspired a new generation of Irish nationalists. He suggests that the events of Easter 1916 were a catalyst for change in Ireland, and that they paved the way for the country's eventual independence.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the rebels who died in the Easter Rising. Yeats describes them as "lonely as a cloud" and suggests that they are now part of the landscape of Ireland. He suggests that their sacrifice has made them immortal, and that they will always be remembered as heroes of Irish history.
Overall, Easter, 1916 is a powerful and moving tribute to the rebels who fought for Irish independence. It is a reflection on the events of Easter 1916 and their impact on Yeats and his country. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices that were made by those who fought for Irish freedom, and it is a testament to the enduring power of their legacy.
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