'An Appointment' by William Butler Yeats
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Being out of heart with government
I took a broken root to fling
Where the proud, wayward squirrel went,
Taking delight that he could spring;
And he, with that low whinnying sound
That is like laughter, sprang again
And so to the other tree at a bound.
Nor the tame will, nor timid brain,
Nor heavy knitting of the brow
Bred that fierce tooth and cleanly limb
And threw him up to laugh on the bough;
No govermnent appointed him.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Appointment by William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats is a renowned Irish poet, whose works are well-known for their deep symbolism, mythological references, and elegantly crafted language. "An Appointment" is a short but powerful poem that showcases Yeats's talent for creating vivid imagery and conveying complex emotions through his use of language. This classic poem is often interpreted as an allegory for the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, and the tension between the desire for freedom and the fear of the unknown.
Overview
"An Appointment" was first published in Yeats's collection "The Wild Swans At Coole" in 1917. It consists of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, with a clear and concise structure that emphasizes the central themes of the work. The language is richly evocative, with images that are both vivid and suggestive, and the use of repetition and rhyme adds to the poem's musicality and coherence.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker describing a mysterious figure who has made an appointment with him. The figure is described as coming "out of midnight," which suggests a sense of darkness and foreboding. The appointment is scheduled for a specific time, but the speaker is not told where it will take place. This creates a sense of uncertainty and tension, as the speaker waits for the appointed hour.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes his feelings as he waits for the appointment. He is filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement, but also with fear and uncertainty. He compares his emotions to those of a bird that is waiting to take flight, but is also afraid to leave the safety of its nest. This metaphor underscores the central theme of the poem, which is the tension between the desire for freedom and the fear of the unknown.
The third stanza is the most enigmatic and difficult to interpret. The speaker describes a "strange bird" that is singing "in the wood." This bird is compared to "a girl," who is "waiting for her lover." The imagery here is both sensual and mysterious, suggesting a sense of longing and desire, but also a sense of danger and unease. The bird and the girl seem to be waiting for something, but it is not clear what that something is.
The poem ends with the speaker describing the moment when the appointment finally arrives. The figure appears, and the speaker follows him "into the wood." The wood is described as dark and shadowy, with a sense of danger lurking behind every tree. The speaker is filled with a sense of excitement and adventure, but also with a sense of fear and uncertainty. The poem ends with the speaker following the figure deeper into the wood, leaving the safety and security of the known world behind.
Interpretation
"An Appointment" is a poem that is open to a wide range of interpretations. At its most basic level, it can be read as a simple allegory for the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. The appointment represents the call to adventure, the moment when we are faced with the choice to leave behind the safety and security of the known world and venture into the unknown. The bird and the girl represent our own inner desires and longings, which can be both alluring and frightening.
The tension between the desire for freedom and the fear of the unknown is a central theme of the poem. The speaker is torn between his desire for adventure and his fear of what lies ahead. This tension is mirrored in the imagery of the bird and the girl, who are waiting for something, but are not sure what it is. The darkness of the wood, with its sense of danger and uncertainty, reinforces this sense of tension and apprehension.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition. We are all, to some extent, waiting for our own appointment, our own call to adventure. We are all torn between the desire for freedom and the fear of the unknown. The poem suggests that the only way to find meaning and purpose in life is to embrace the unknown, to follow our inner desires and longings, even if it means leaving behind the safety and security of the known world.
Conclusion
"An Appointment" is a classic poem that showcases Yeats's talent for creating vivid imagery and conveying complex emotions through his use of language. The poem is open to a wide range of interpretations, but at its core, it is a meditation on the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. The tension between the desire for freedom and the fear of the unknown is a central theme of the work, and the imagery of the bird, the girl, and the dark wood all reinforce this sense of tension and apprehension. Ultimately, the poem suggests that the only way to find meaning and purpose in life is to embrace the unknown, to follow our inner desires and longings, even if it means leaving behind the safety and security of the known world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Appointment: A Poem of Love and Loss
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their depth, complexity, and beauty. One of his most famous poems is "An Appointment," a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.
The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between two lovers who have arranged to meet at a specific time and place. The speaker, who is presumably the male lover, is waiting for his beloved to arrive. As he waits, he reflects on the nature of their relationship and the inevitability of their separation.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the setting in which he is waiting. He is standing by a riverbank, watching the water flow by. The imagery of the river is significant because it represents the passage of time. The water is constantly moving, just as time is constantly moving forward. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and love.
The speaker then begins to reflect on his relationship with his beloved. He describes her as "the light of evening," suggesting that she brings warmth and comfort to his life. He also describes her as "the brown god," which is a reference to the Hindu god of creation, Brahma. This suggests that the speaker sees his beloved as a source of creative inspiration and spiritual enlightenment.
As the speaker waits for his beloved, he becomes increasingly anxious. He begins to fear that she will not show up, or that she will arrive too late. He describes himself as "a lonely ghost," suggesting that he feels disconnected from the world around him. This sense of isolation and despair is a common theme in Yeats' poetry, and it reflects his own struggles with loneliness and depression.
Despite his fears, the speaker remains hopeful that his beloved will arrive. He describes her as "the brightening star," suggesting that she brings light and hope to his life. He also describes her as "the white swan," which is a symbol of purity and grace. This suggests that the speaker sees his beloved as a symbol of beauty and goodness in a world that is often dark and cruel.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes increasingly aware of the passage of time. He describes the sun setting and the shadows growing longer. He also describes the river flowing faster, suggesting that time is speeding up. This sense of time moving quickly is a common theme in Yeats' poetry, and it reflects his own awareness of his mortality.
As the sun sets and the shadows grow longer, the speaker becomes increasingly anxious. He fears that his beloved will not arrive in time, or that she will arrive too late. He describes himself as "a lonely ghost," suggesting that he feels disconnected from the world around him. This sense of isolation and despair is a common theme in Yeats' poetry, and it reflects his own struggles with loneliness and depression.
Despite his fears, the speaker remains hopeful that his beloved will arrive. He describes her as "the brightening star," suggesting that she brings light and hope to his life. He also describes her as "the white swan," which is a symbol of purity and grace. This suggests that the speaker sees his beloved as a symbol of beauty and goodness in a world that is often dark and cruel.
As the poem comes to a close, the speaker realizes that his beloved will not arrive. He describes himself as "a lonely ghost," suggesting that he feels disconnected from the world around him. He also describes his beloved as "the darkening star," suggesting that she has faded away into the darkness. This final image is a powerful symbol of loss and despair, and it reflects the speaker's realization that his beloved is gone forever.
In conclusion, "An Appointment" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Through its vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the poem captures the essence of the human experience and the struggle to find meaning in a world that is often dark and uncertain. Yeats' mastery of language and his ability to evoke deep emotions in his readers make this poem a true masterpiece of modern literature.
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