'Running To Paradise' by William Butler Yeats
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As I came over Windy Gap
They threw a halfpenny into my cap.
For I am running to paradise;
And all that I need do is to wish
And somebody puts his hand in the dish
To throw me a bit of salted fish:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
My brother Mourteen is worn out
With skelping his big brawling lout,
And I am running to paradise;
A poor life, do what he can,
And though he keep a dog and a gun,
A serving-maid and a serving-man:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
Poor men have grown to be rich men,
And rich men grown to be poor again,
And I am running to paradise;
And many a darling wit's grown dull
That tossed a bare heel when at school,
Now it has filled a old sock full:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
The wind is old and still at play
While I must hurry upon my way.
For I am running to paradise;
Yet never have I lit on a friend
To take my fancy like the wind
That nobody can buy or bind:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Running To Paradise - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Oh, Running To Paradise! What an enchanting poem by the legendary Irish poet, William Butler Yeats. It is a love poem, a song of longing and yearning, and much more. Yeats, a Nobel Prize laureate, wrote this poem in 1933, and it was published posthumously in his final volume, "Last Poems" in 1939. Running To Paradise is considered one of his most beautiful works, and it has captivated readers for generations. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's structure, themes, and meanings.
The Structure of Running To Paradise
The poem has four stanzas of equal length, each consisting of eight lines. The rhyme scheme is AABBCCDD, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, with four stressed syllables per line. The poem's structure is simple and consistent, which gives it a sense of stability and balance. Yeats' use of repetition in the first and last lines of each stanza adds to the poem's musicality and reinforces its themes.
The Themes of Running To Paradise
At its core, Running To Paradise is a love poem. It speaks of the narrator's longing for his beloved, who is depicted as a beautiful, ethereal being. However, the poem's themes go beyond just romantic love. It also touches on the themes of mortality, spirituality, and the search for meaning.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the narrator describing his lover as a "brightening star." The imagery of the star is significant as it symbolizes guidance, hope, and transcendence. The narrator is drawn to this star, and he longs to be with it, to be consumed by its light.
In the second stanza, the narrator speaks of his mortality, saying that he will "fade away" like a "wandering comet." This stanza is a reminder that life is fleeting and that death is inevitable. However, the narrator finds solace in the thought that his lover, the star, will still be shining long after he is gone.
In the third stanza, the narrator speaks of his spiritual yearning. He says that he is "seeking for the right," and that he is "running to Paradise." This stanza speaks to the human desire for meaning and purpose, and the search for something greater than oneself. The idea of Paradise is significant as it symbolizes a place of ultimate fulfillment and contentment.
The fourth and final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the narrator once again expressing his love for his beloved. He says that he is "running to Paradise" to be with her, to be "where all the ladders start." This stanza is a reminder that love is eternal, and that even in death, the narrator's love for his beloved will endure.
Interpretation of Running To Paradise
What makes Running To Paradise such a captivating poem is its ability to evoke a sense of longing and yearning in the reader. The narrator's desire for his beloved, for meaning, and for transcendence is relatable to all of us. The poem speaks to the human condition and our innate desire for connection and purpose.
The use of the star as a symbol of the narrator's beloved is significant. The star represents something beyond human comprehension, something divine and otherworldly. The narrator is drawn to this star, and he longs to be consumed by its light. This can be interpreted as a desire for transcendence and a connection to something greater than oneself.
The theme of mortality is also significant in the poem. The narrator acknowledges his own mortality, but he finds comfort in the thought that his beloved will still be shining long after he is gone. This can be interpreted as a reminder that life is fleeting, but that love and beauty endure.
The theme of spirituality is also present in the poem. The narrator speaks of his search for meaning and his desire to be "where all the ladders start." This can be interpreted as a desire for a connection to something greater than oneself, whether it be God, nature, or the universe.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the narrator expressing his love for his beloved once again. The line "to be where all the ladders start" is particularly significant, as it suggests that love is a starting point, a foundation for everything else. The narrator's love for his beloved is eternal, and it endures even in death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Running To Paradise is a beautiful and captivating poem that speaks to the human condition. Its themes of love, mortality, spirituality, and the search for meaning are relatable to all of us. Yeats' use of imagery, repetition, and meter create a sense of musicality and balance that adds to the poem's beauty. Running To Paradise is a timeless work of art that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Running To Paradise: An Analysis of Yeats' Classic Poem
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his evocative and mystical works that explore themes of love, death, and the supernatural. One of his most famous poems is "Running To Paradise," a haunting and beautiful exploration of the human desire for transcendence and escape.
The poem begins with a description of a group of people running towards a distant paradise, a place of perfect beauty and happiness. The speaker watches them from afar, marveling at their determination and longing. He describes the scene in vivid detail, painting a picture of a world in which the pursuit of happiness is the most important thing.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more caught up in the idea of paradise, imagining himself running towards it with the others. He longs to escape the mundane world and find a place of pure joy and beauty. He describes the paradise in glowing terms, using vivid imagery to create a sense of wonder and awe.
However, as the poem reaches its climax, the speaker's tone changes. He begins to question the very idea of paradise, wondering if it is truly attainable or if it is simply a fantasy. He asks whether the pursuit of happiness is worth the effort, or if it is ultimately futile.
The poem ends on a note of ambiguity, with the speaker unsure of whether he should continue running towards paradise or turn back and face the realities of the world. He leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty, suggesting that the pursuit of happiness is a complex and difficult journey that requires careful consideration and reflection.
At its core, "Running To Paradise" is a meditation on the human desire for transcendence and escape. Yeats explores the idea that we are all searching for something beyond ourselves, something that will bring us happiness and fulfillment. He suggests that this desire is both noble and dangerous, as it can lead us down paths that are ultimately unfulfilling or even destructive.
The poem also touches on themes of mortality and the afterlife. The idea of paradise is often associated with religious beliefs about heaven or an afterlife, and Yeats seems to be exploring these ideas in his own way. He suggests that the pursuit of paradise is a way of grappling with the inevitability of death, a way of seeking immortality or transcendence beyond the physical world.
Overall, "Running To Paradise" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Yeats' use of vivid imagery and evocative language creates a sense of wonder and awe, while his exploration of complex themes adds depth and complexity to the work. Whether read as a meditation on the afterlife or a commentary on the human condition, this poem remains a timeless classic that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
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