'Upon A Dying Lady' by William Butler Yeats
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I
i{Her Courtesy}
WITH the old kindness, the old distinguished grace,
She lies, her lovely piteous head amid dull red hair
propped upon pillows, rouge on the pallor of her face.
She would not have us sad because she is lying there,
And when she meets our gaze her eyes are laughter-lit,
Her speech a wicked tale that we may vie with her,
Matching our broken-hearted wit against her wit,
Thinking of saints and of petronius Arbiter.
II
i{Curtain Artist bring her Dolls and Drawings}
Bring where our Beauty lies
A new modelled doll, or drawing,
With a friend's or an enemy's
Features, or maybe showing
Her features when a tress
Of dull red hair was flowing
Over some silken dress
Cut in the Turkish fashion,
Or, it may be, like a boy's.
We have given the world our passion,
We have naught for death but toys.
III
i{She turns the Dolls' Faces to the Wall}
Because to-day is some religious festival
They had a priest say Mass, and even the Japanese,
Heel up and weight on toe, must face the wall
-- Pedant in passion, learned in old courtesies,
Vehement and witty she had seemed -- ; the Venetian lady
Who had seemed to glide to some intrigue in her red shoes,
Her domino, her panniered skirt copied from Longhi;
The meditative critic; all are on their toes,
Even our Beauty with her Turkish trousers on.
Because the priest must have like every dog his day
Or keep us all awake with baying at the moon,
We and our dolls being but the world were best away.
IV
i{The End of Day}
She is playing like a child
And penance is the play,
Fantastical and wild
Because the end of day
Shows her that some one soon
Will come from the house, and say --
Though play is but half done --
"Come in and leave the play.'
V
i{Her Race}
She has not grown uncivil
As narrow natures would
And called the pleasures evil
Happier days thought good;
She knows herself a woman,
No red and white of a face,
Or rank, raised from a common
Vnreckonable race;
And how should her heart fail her
Or sickness break her will
With her dead brother's valour
For an example still?
VI
i{Her Courage}
When her soul flies to the predestined dancing-place
(I have no speech but symbol, the pagan speech I made
Amid the dreams of youth) let her come face to face,
Amid that first astonishment, with Grania's shade,
All but the terrors of the woodland flight forgot
That made her Diatmuid dear, and some old cardinal
Pacing with half-closed eyelids in a sunny spot
Who had murmured of Giorgione at his latest breath --
Aye, and Achilles, Timor, Babar, Barhaim, all
Who have lived in joy and laughed into the face of Death.
VII
i{Her Friends bring her a Christmas Tree}
pardon, great enemy,
Without an angry thought
We've carried in our tree,
And here and there have bought
Till all the boughs are gay,
And she may look from the bed
On pretty things that may
please a fantastic head.
Give her a little grace,
What if a laughing eye
Have looked into your face?
It is about to die.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Upon A Dying Lady" by William Butler Yeats
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this beautiful piece of poetry by William Butler Yeats? "Upon A Dying Lady" is a profound and emotional piece that delves into themes of love, death, and the fleeting nature of life. It's a complex and layered work that demands careful attention and analysis. So, let's dive in and explore this masterpiece together.
Background
Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a quick look at the context and background of the author. William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and playwright who lived from 1865 to 1939. He was one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. Yeats was known for his deep interest in mysticism, folklore, and Irish mythology, which heavily influenced his work.
"Upon A Dying Lady" was written in 1892 when Yeats was only 27 years old. It was one of his early works, but it already showcases his mastery of language and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his poetry.
Analysis
The poem begins with the narrator describing a lady who is on her deathbed. We don't know who she is, but the narrator seems to have a deep connection with her. He describes her as a "flower of the field" who is fading away. The use of the flower metaphor is particularly poignant as it suggests the fragility and transience of life.
The narrator then goes on to describe his feelings towards the dying lady. He says that he loves her "more than a man should love a friend." This line is interesting as it suggests that there is something more than just friendship between the two. However, the narrator also acknowledges that their love is not a romantic one. He says that they "loved and love denied," which implies that their love was forbidden or unrequited.
The next few stanzas are particularly powerful as they describe the pain and suffering that the dying lady is going through. The narrator says that her "breath was like a chain / Bound tight about the heart." This metaphor is incredibly effective in conveying the physical and emotional pain that the lady is experiencing.
The narrator then goes on to describe the spiritual journey that the dying lady is going through. He says that she is "gathering her night's thoughts" and that she is preparing to "meet her God." This suggests that the lady is reflecting on her life and coming to terms with her mortality. The use of the word "night's" is particularly interesting as it suggests that the lady is going through a dark and difficult time, but that she is also finding some solace in her faith.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly beautiful as it describes the lady's journey towards the afterlife. The narrator says that the lady's soul is like a "white bird" that is taking flight towards the heavens. This metaphor is incredibly powerful as it suggests that the lady is finally finding peace and release from her physical body.
Interpretation
"Upon A Dying Lady" is a poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. It delves into themes of love, death, and the afterlife, and it does so in a way that is both profound and deeply moving.
One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way that it explores the idea of forbidden love. The narrator's love for the dying lady is not a romantic one, but it is still a love that is denied. This suggests that there are many different types of love in the world, and that not all of them are straightforward or easy to understand.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way that it portrays death. The dying lady is in a great deal of pain, but she is also going through a spiritual journey that is both difficult and rewarding. This suggests that death is not just an end, but it is also a beginning of a new phase of existence.
Finally, the poem is incredibly powerful in the way that it evokes emotions in the reader. Yeats' use of language is masterful, and he is able to convey complex emotions and ideas through simple and elegant metaphors. The poem is a testament to the power of language and its ability to move and inspire us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Upon A Dying Lady" is a beautiful and profound poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. It delves into themes of love, death, and the afterlife, and it does so in a way that is both powerful and deeply moving. Yeats' use of language is masterful, and he is able to convey complex emotions and ideas through simple and elegant metaphors. This is truly a masterpiece of poetry, and it deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Upon A Dying Lady: An Analysis of Yeats' Masterpiece
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their depth, complexity, and beauty. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry Upon A Dying Lady stands out as a shining example of his poetic genius. In this poem, Yeats explores the themes of love, death, and the transience of life. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and haunting symbolism, Yeats creates a work of art that is both moving and thought-provoking.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dying lady lying in her bed. The image is one of stillness and quietness, as the lady is surrounded by the silence of death. The speaker then goes on to describe the lady's beauty, which is now fading away. He compares her to a rose that is withering, and a bird that is losing its feathers. The imagery is powerful and evocative, as it captures the fragility and transience of life.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the lady's life and the love that she has experienced. He describes her as having been loved by many, but never truly loving anyone in return. He compares her to a flower that has been admired by many, but has never been plucked. The metaphor is poignant, as it suggests that the lady has lived a life of unfulfilled potential and missed opportunities.
The speaker then goes on to describe the lady's final moments, as she lies on her deathbed. He speaks of the silence that surrounds her, and the stillness of the room. He describes her as being at peace, as if she has finally found the love and fulfillment that she had been searching for all her life. The imagery is haunting and beautiful, as it captures the final moments of a life that was both tragic and beautiful.
Throughout the poem, Yeats uses powerful metaphors and symbolism to convey his message. The image of the dying lady is a metaphor for the transience of life, and the fragility of human existence. The rose and the bird are symbols of beauty and life, which are both fleeting and ephemeral. The lady's unfulfilled love is a metaphor for the human condition, and the search for meaning and purpose in life.
The poem is also notable for its use of language and rhythm. Yeats' language is rich and evocative, as he uses words that are both beautiful and haunting. His use of rhythm is also masterful, as he creates a sense of movement and flow that is both mesmerizing and hypnotic. The poem is a work of art that is both beautiful and powerful, and it is a testament to Yeats' skill as a poet.
In conclusion, Poetry Upon A Dying Lady is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a work of art that is both beautiful and haunting, and it captures the fragility and transience of human existence. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and haunting symbolism, Yeats creates a work of art that is both moving and thought-provoking. The poem is a testament to Yeats' skill as a poet, and it is a work that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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