'Long-Legged Fly' by William Butler Yeats
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
That civilisation may not sink,
Its great battle lost,
Quiet the dog, tether the pony
To a distant post;
Our master Caesar is in the tent
Where the maps ate spread,
His eyes fixed upon nothing,
A hand under his head.
Like a long-legged fly upon the stream
His mind moves upon silence.
That the topless towers be burnt
And men recall that face,
Move most gently if move you must
In this lonely place.
She thinks, part woman, three parts a child,
That nobody looks; her feet
Practise a tinker shuffle
Picked up on a street.
Like a long-legged fly upon the stream
Her mind moves upon silence.
That girls at puberty may find
The first Adam in their thought,
Shut the door of the Pope's chapel,
Keep those children out.
There on that scaffolding reclines
Michael Angelo.
With no more sound than the mice make
His hand moves to and fro.
Like a long-leggedfly upon the stream
His mind moves upon silence.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Long-Legged Fly by William Butler Yeats: A Masterpiece in Symbolism and Imagery
If you're a lover of poetry, you must have come across the name William Butler Yeats. Yeats was an Irish poet and dramatist who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. His poetry is known for its symbolism, mysticism, and beauty. One of his finest poems is "Long-Legged Fly," which is an excellent example of his ability to create vivid imagery and use powerful symbolism to convey complex ideas. In this literary analysis, we'll delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
Theme
The poem "Long-Legged Fly" is a meditation on the nature of creativity and the relationship between the human mind and the natural world. Yeats examines the creative process and the role of the imagination in shaping our perception of reality. His central argument is that the mind is like a "long-legged fly" that can move freely through the landscape of the imagination. The poet suggests that the imagination has the power to create new worlds and to shape our understanding of the world around us.
Imagery
The imagery in "Long-Legged Fly" is striking and evocative. The poem is rich in sensory detail, and Yeats creates vivid pictures using language that is both precise and lyrical. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the fly as "a long-legged fly upon the stream/ His mind moves upon silence." This image of the fly hovering over the water is both beautiful and mysterious. The fly's long legs suggest a sense of grace and agility, while its stillness on the water's surface creates a sense of calm and serenity. The image is also symbolic, as the fly's movement upon the water represents the movement of the mind upon the landscape of the imagination.
Another striking image in the poem is that of the "monuments of unageing intellect." This phrase conjures up images of ancient ruins and monuments, suggesting a sense of timelessness and permanence. The use of the word "unageing" suggests that these monuments are eternal, and that they represent the enduring power of the human mind. Yeats uses this image to contrast the creative power of the mind with the transience of the natural world.
Symbolism
Like many of Yeats's poems, "Long-Legged Fly" is rich in symbolism. The fly itself is a powerful symbol, representing the human mind and the imagination. Yeats uses the fly to suggest that the mind is a small but powerful force that can move freely through the landscape of the imagination. The fly's long legs are also symbolic, representing the agility and flexibility of the human mind.
Another important symbol in the poem is the water. The stream upon which the fly moves is a symbol of the subconscious mind. The water is calm and still, representing the quiet depths of the mind where the imagination can take flight. Yeats suggests that it is only by tapping into this subconscious realm that we can access the full power of our creativity.
The "monuments of unageing intellect" are also symbolic. They represent the great works of art and literature that endure over time. Yeats suggests that these works are the products of the human imagination, and that they represent the enduring power of the creative mind.
Structure
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. The poem consists of two stanzas, each containing four lines. The first stanza describes the fly as it moves upon the stream, while the second stanza describes the "monuments of unageing intellect." The two stanzas are connected thematically, with the first stanza setting up the image of the fly as a symbol of the mind, and the second stanza exploring the power of the imagination.
The poem is written in free verse, with no fixed meter or rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and spontaneity, reflecting the movement of the mind as it moves through the landscape of the imagination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Long-Legged Fly" is a masterpiece of symbolism and imagery. Yeats uses the image of the fly to explore the nature of creativity and the power of the imagination. The poem is rich in sensory detail, and Yeats creates vivid pictures using language that is both precise and lyrical. The use of symbolism is particularly effective, with the fly, the water, and the monuments all serving as powerful symbols for the human mind and the imagination. The structure of the poem is simple but effective, and the free verse adds a sense of spontaneity and freedom to the poem. Overall, "Long-Legged Fly" is a remarkable achievement and a testament to Yeats's skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Long-Legged Fly: A Masterpiece of William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem titled "Long-Legged Fly" that has been widely regarded as one of his masterpieces. This poem is a perfect example of Yeats' ability to combine his love of nature and his fascination with the supernatural. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem "Long-Legged Fly" was first published in 1899 in Yeats' collection "The Wind Among the Reeds." The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem's structure is simple, but its language is rich and evocative. The poem's title refers to a type of fly that is known for its long legs, which are used to walk on water.
The poem begins with the speaker observing a long-legged fly on a stream. The speaker is fascinated by the fly's ability to walk on water and its graceful movements. The speaker then imagines the fly as a symbol of the human soul, wandering through life and seeking meaning.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the long-legged fly. The speaker describes the fly as "a long-legged fly upon the stream" and notes its "graceful" movements. The speaker is clearly fascinated by the fly and its ability to walk on water. The use of the word "graceful" suggests that the speaker sees the fly as a thing of beauty.
In the second stanza, the speaker imagines the fly as a symbol of the human soul. The speaker asks, "What is imagination?" and suggests that it is "a wandering fly." The speaker is suggesting that the human soul is like the fly, wandering through life and seeking meaning. The use of the word "wandering" suggests that the speaker sees the human soul as lost or searching.
The third stanza continues the theme of the human soul. The speaker asks, "What is thought?" and suggests that it is "a light that shines / In darkness." The use of the word "light" suggests that the speaker sees thought as a source of illumination or enlightenment. The use of the word "darkness" suggests that the speaker sees the world as a place of confusion or uncertainty.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker imagines the long-legged fly as a symbol of the human soul once again. The speaker suggests that the fly is "the intellect of man" and that it "can go anywhere." The use of the word "intellect" suggests that the speaker sees the fly as a symbol of human intelligence or reason. The use of the phrase "can go anywhere" suggests that the speaker sees the human intellect as limitless or boundless.
The fifth stanza continues the theme of the human soul and its search for meaning. The speaker suggests that the human soul is like a "book of knowledge" that is "thick with experience." The use of the word "book" suggests that the speaker sees the human soul as a repository of knowledge or wisdom. The use of the word "thick" suggests that the speaker sees the human soul as having a depth of experience.
In the final stanza, the speaker returns to the long-legged fly and its graceful movements. The speaker suggests that the fly is "dancing" on the water and that it is "delicate." The use of the word "dancing" suggests that the speaker sees the fly as a thing of beauty and grace. The use of the word "delicate" suggests that the speaker sees the fly as fragile or vulnerable.
Overall, "Long-Legged Fly" is a poem that explores the themes of nature, the human soul, and the search for meaning. The poem's imagery is rich and evocative, and the use of symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem. The poem's structure is simple, but its language is powerful and moving. "Long-Legged Fly" is a masterpiece of William Butler Yeats, and it continues to captivate readers to this day.
Editor Recommended Sites
Python 3 Book: Learn to program python3 from our top rated online bookLearn Prompt Engineering: Prompt Engineering using large language models, chatGPT, GPT-4, tutorials and guides
ML Security:
Learn Cloud SQL: Learn to use cloud SQL tools by AWS and GCP
Dev Make Config: Make configuration files for kubernetes, terraform, liquibase, declarative yaml interfaces. Better visual UIs
Recommended Similar Analysis
Jerusalem : England! awake! awake! awake! by William Blake analysisFog by Carl Sandburg analysis
Mariana by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
Going For Water by Robert Frost analysis
On Imagination by Phillis Wheatley analysis
Love Among The Ruins by Robert Browning analysis
The Artilleryman's Vision by Walt Whitman analysis
Wisdom by William Butler Yeats analysis
A Prayer For My Son by William Butler Yeats analysis
Desert Places by Robert Frost analysis