'The Double Vision Of Michael Robartes' by William Butler Yeats
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I
On the grey rock of Cashel the mind's eye
Has called up the cold spirits that are born
When the old moon is vanished from the sky
And the new still hides her horn.
Under blank eyes and fingers never still
The particular is pounded till it is man.
When had I my own will?
O not since life began.
Constrained, arraigned, baffled, bent and unbent
By these wire-jointed jaws and limbs of wood,
Themselves obedient,
Knowing not evil and good;
Obedient to some hidden magical breath.
They do not even feel, so abstract are they.
So dead beyond our death,
Triumph that we obey.
II
On the grey rock of Cashel I suddenly saw
A Sphinx with woman breast and lion paw.
A Buddha, hand at rest,
Hand lifted up that blest;
And right between these two a girl at play
That, it may be, had danced her life away,
For now being dead it seemed
That she of dancing dreamed.
Although I saw it all in the mind's eye
There can be nothing solider till I die;
I saw by the moon's light
Now at its fifteenth night.
One lashed her tail; her eyes lit by the moon
Gazed upon all things known, all things unknown,
In triumph of intellect
With motionless head erect.
That other's moonlit eyeballs never moved,
Being fixed on all things loved, all things unloved.
Yet little peace he had,
For those that love are sad.
Little did they care who danced between,
And little she by whom her dance was seen
So she had outdanced thought.
Body perfection brought,
For what but eye and ear silence the mind
With the minute particulars of mankind?
Mind moved yet seemed to stop
As 'twere a spinning-top.
In contemplation had those three so wrought
Upon a moment, and so stretched it out
That they, time overthrown,
Were dead yet flesh and bone.
III
I knew that I had seen, had seen at last
That girl my unremembering nights hold fast
Or else my dreams that fly
If I should rub an eye,
And yet in flying fling into my meat
A crazy juice that makes the pulses beat
As though I had been undone
By Homer's Paragon
Who never gave the burning town a thought;
To such a pitch of folly I am brought,
Being caught between the pull
Of the dark moon and the full,
The commonness of thought and images
That have the frenzy of our western seas.
Thereon I made my moan,
And after kissed a stone,
And after that arranged it in a song
Seeing that I, ignorant for So long,
Had been rewarded thus
In Cormac's ruined house.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Double Vision Of Michael Robartes: An Analysis of Yeats' Poetic Vision
William Butler Yeats was a visionary poet who envisioned a world of spiritual realities that lay beyond the mundane world of human existence. His poem, "The Double Vision of Michael Robartes," is a complex and layered work that explores themes of love, spirituality, and the struggle for identity.
In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore Yeats' use of symbolism and language to create a haunting and mystical vision of the world. We will examine the themes of the poem and their relevance to Yeats' larger body of work. Finally, we will analyze the poem's structure, form, and style to understand how Yeats creates a poetic vision that is both beautiful and profound.
The Poem
"The Double Vision of Michael Robartes" is a six-part poem that explores the spiritual journey of Michael Robartes, a character who appears in several of Yeats' works. The poem is written in a complex and often obscure style that challenges the reader to interpret its meanings.
The first part of the poem introduces Michael Robartes and his quest for spiritual enlightenment. Yeats describes Robartes as a man who is "torn between love and duty" and who seeks to find a balance between the two. He also introduces the theme of the duality of existence, which is a recurring motif in the poem.
The second part of the poem describes Robartes' encounter with a mysterious woman who embodies the spirit of the earth. Yeats uses vivid and sensual language to create a powerful image of the woman, who is described as "a body of flame" and "a mouth of fire."
The third part of the poem introduces the idea of the spiritual realm, which is represented by the image of a "silver tree." Yeats uses this image to suggest that there is a hidden reality that exists beyond the material world.
In the fourth part of the poem, Robartes experiences a spiritual awakening that allows him to see the hidden reality of the world. He becomes aware of the "double vision" that exists between the material world and the spiritual realm.
The fifth part of the poem explores the theme of love, which is presented as a force that can bridge the gap between the material and spiritual worlds. Yeats suggests that love is the key to achieving spiritual enlightenment and that it is through love that we can transcend our physical limitations.
The final part of the poem is a prayer to the goddess of love, in which Robartes asks for guidance on his spiritual journey. Yeats uses this prayer to reinforce the idea that love is the central theme of the poem and that it is through love that we can achieve a deeper understanding of the world.
Symbolism and Imagery
Yeats is known for his use of symbolism and imagery to create a mystical and otherworldly atmosphere in his poetry. "The Double Vision of Michael Robartes" is no exception, and Yeats uses a range of symbolic images to convey his vision of the world.
The most prominent symbol in the poem is the "silver tree," which represents the hidden reality of the spiritual realm. Yeats uses the image of the tree to suggest that there is a deeper truth that lies beneath the surface of the material world. The tree is described as "silver" to suggest its spiritual nature, and its roots are said to reach down into the underworld, further emphasizing its connection to the unseen realm.
Another important symbol in the poem is the woman who embodies the spirit of the earth. Yeats uses sensual and evocative language to create an image of a woman who is both powerful and mysterious. The woman represents the fertile and creative aspects of the natural world and is associated with the elements of fire and earth.
The theme of duality is also represented through the image of the "double vision," which suggests that there is a spiritual reality that exists in parallel with the material world. Yeats uses this image to suggest that we must learn to see beyond the surface of things and to look for deeper truths that lie beneath.
Themes
"The Double Vision of Michael Robartes" explores a range of themes that are central to Yeats' poetry. The most prominent theme is the struggle for spiritual enlightenment, which is represented through the character of Michael Robartes. Yeats suggests that the path to spiritual enlightenment is a difficult one that requires a balance between love and duty.
Love is another important theme in the poem, and Yeats suggests that it is through love that we can achieve a deeper understanding of the world. Love is presented as a force that can bridge the gap between the material and spiritual worlds and is seen as a key to achieving spiritual enlightenment.
The theme of duality is also prominent in the poem, and Yeats suggests that there is a hidden reality that exists beyond the material world. He suggests that we must learn to see beyond the surface of things and to look for deeper truths that lie beneath.
Form and Style
"The Double Vision of Michael Robartes" is written in a complex and often obscure style that challenges the reader to interpret its meanings. The poem is divided into six parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Michael Robartes' spiritual journey.
Yeats uses a range of poetic techniques to create a haunting and mystical atmosphere in the poem. He uses vivid and sensual language to create powerful images of the natural world and the spiritual realm. He also uses repetition and parallelism to reinforce the themes of the poem and to create a sense of unity and coherence.
Conclusion
"The Double Vision of Michael Robartes" is a complex and layered poem that explores themes of love, spirituality, and the struggle for identity. Yeats uses symbolism and imagery to create a mystical and otherworldly atmosphere in the poem, and he challenges the reader to interpret its meanings.
The poem is a powerful statement on the human condition and the search for spiritual enlightenment. It reinforces Yeats' belief in the existence of a hidden reality that lies beyond the material world and suggests that we must learn to see beyond the surface of things to find deeper truths.
Overall, "The Double Vision of Michael Robartes" is a beautiful and profound work that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes and imagery are timeless, and its message of love and spiritual enlightenment is as relevant today as it was when Yeats first wrote the poem.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Double Vision of Michael Robartes: A Masterpiece of William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Among his many masterpieces, "The Double Vision of Michael Robartes" stands out as a unique and complex poem that explores the themes of spirituality, mysticism, and the human condition. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part consisting of six stanzas and the second part consisting of four stanzas. The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and Michael Robartes, a fictional character who represents Yeats' own spiritual journey. The poem is set in the context of the Irish War of Independence, and the speaker and Michael Robartes discuss the political and social turmoil of the time.
The first part of the poem begins with the speaker asking Michael Robartes about his vision of the world. Michael Robartes responds by saying that he sees the world in two ways, with one eye seeing the physical world and the other eye seeing the spiritual world. He describes this as a "double vision," which allows him to see the world in a more profound and meaningful way.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the concept of the gyres, which are a recurring theme in Yeats' poetry. The gyres represent the cyclical nature of history and the movement of human consciousness. Michael Robartes explains that the gyres are constantly moving, and that they represent the evolution of human consciousness. He also suggests that the gyres are a reflection of the divine will, and that they are leading humanity towards a higher state of being.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the concept of the "Great Wheel," which is another recurring theme in Yeats' poetry. The Great Wheel represents the cycle of life and death, and the speaker suggests that it is a reflection of the divine will. Michael Robartes explains that the Great Wheel is constantly turning, and that it represents the evolution of human consciousness. He also suggests that the Great Wheel is a reflection of the divine will, and that it is leading humanity towards a higher state of being.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the concept of the "Spiral," which is another recurring theme in Yeats' poetry. The Spiral represents the movement of human consciousness towards a higher state of being. Michael Robartes explains that the Spiral is constantly moving, and that it represents the evolution of human consciousness. He also suggests that the Spiral is a reflection of the divine will, and that it is leading humanity towards a higher state of being.
The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the concept of the "Celestial Sphere," which is another recurring theme in Yeats' poetry. The Celestial Sphere represents the realm of the divine, and the speaker suggests that it is a reflection of the divine will. Michael Robartes explains that the Celestial Sphere is constantly moving, and that it represents the evolution of human consciousness. He also suggests that the Celestial Sphere is a reflection of the divine will, and that it is leading humanity towards a higher state of being.
The sixth stanza of the poem concludes the first part of the poem, and the speaker reflects on the complexity of Michael Robartes' vision. He suggests that Michael Robartes' vision is both beautiful and terrifying, and that it represents the complexity of the human condition.
The second part of the poem begins with the speaker asking Michael Robartes about his vision of the future. Michael Robartes responds by saying that he sees a future where humanity has evolved to a higher state of being, and where the gyres have led humanity towards a state of spiritual enlightenment. He suggests that this future is inevitable, and that it is a reflection of the divine will.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the concept of the "Second Coming," which is another recurring theme in Yeats' poetry. The Second Coming represents the return of a divine figure who will bring about a new era of spiritual enlightenment. Michael Robartes suggests that the Second Coming is imminent, and that it will bring about a new era of spiritual enlightenment.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the concept of the "Spiral Stair," which is another recurring theme in Yeats' poetry. The Spiral Stair represents the path towards spiritual enlightenment, and Michael Robartes suggests that it is the path that humanity must follow in order to reach a higher state of being.
The fourth stanza of the poem concludes the poem, and the speaker reflects on the complexity of Michael Robartes' vision. He suggests that Michael Robartes' vision is both beautiful and terrifying, and that it represents the complexity of the human condition.
In conclusion, "The Double Vision of Michael Robartes" is a masterpiece of William Butler Yeats' poetry. The poem explores the themes of spirituality, mysticism, and the human condition, and it does so in a way that is both profound and beautiful. The poem is a reflection of Yeats' own spiritual journey, and it offers a vision of a future where humanity has evolved to a higher state of being. The poem is a testament to Yeats' genius as a poet, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
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