'The Two Trees' by William Butler Yeats
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BELOVED, gaze in thine own heart,
The holy tree is growing there;
From joy the holy branches start,
And all the trembling flowers they bear.
The changing colours of its fruit
Have dowered the stars with metry light;
The surety of its hidden root
Has planted quiet in the night;
The shaking of its leafy head
Has given the waves their melody,
And made my lips and music wed,
Murmuring a wizard song for thee.
There the Joves a circle go,
The flaming circle of our days,
Gyring, spiring to and fro
In those great ignorant leafy ways;
Remembering all that shaken hair
And how the winged sandals dart,
Thine eyes grow full of tender care:
Beloved, gaze in thine own heart.
Gaze no more in the bitter glass
The demons, with their subtle guile.
Lift up before us when they pass,
Or only gaze a little while;
For there a fatal image grows
That the stormy night receives,
Roots half hidden under snows,
Broken boughs and blackened leaves.
For ill things turn to barrenness
In the dim glass the demons hold,
The glass of outer weariness,
Made when God slept in times of old.
There, through the broken branches, go
The ravens of unresting thought;
Flying, crying, to and fro,
Cruel claw and hungry throat,
Or else they stand and sniff the wind,
And shake their ragged wings; alas!
Thy tender eyes grow all unkind:
Gaze no more in the bitter glass.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Two Trees: An Analysis of William Butler Yeats' Poem
As a lover of poetry, I am thrilled to delve into the depth of William Butler Yeats' "The Two Trees." This poem is a masterpiece and a classic example of Yeats’ ironic poetry. With its allegorical references, the poem is both enigmatic and strikingly beautiful.
Background
William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet, playwright, and politician. He was a prominent figure of the Irish literary movement, and his works are considered to be some of the finest examples of modernist poetry. Yeats was heavily influenced by Irish mythology, mysticism, and the occult, which can be seen in many of his poems.
"The Two Trees" was first published in 1893 in the collection "The Rose." The poem is written in a lyrical style and is infused with a deep sense of spirituality. In this poem, Yeats explores the dichotomy of life and death, good and evil, and the human condition.
Analysis
The poem opens with the image of two trees standing side by side. The first tree is described as being "a fountain," which symbolizes life, while the second tree is "a singing bird," which represents the soul. The two trees are personified, and their characteristics are juxtaposed to create a sense of contrast.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Yeats uses vivid imagery to create an atmosphere of mystery and otherworldliness. The second stanza introduces the idea of time and how it affects life and death. The line "A tree's leaves may be ever so good," implies that even though life may seem perfect, death is inevitable.
In the third stanza, Yeats uses a metaphor to describe the human soul as a bird that can fly beyond the physical world. The image of the bird soaring into the sky represents the idea of the soul's journey beyond death.
The fourth stanza introduces the concept of sin and redemption, as the first tree is described as "a fountain at my door." This image is reminiscent of the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where the tree of life was located at the entrance of the Garden of Eden. The idea of sin and redemption is further reinforced in the fifth stanza, where Yeats uses the image of a fountain to symbolize the cleansing of sins.
In the final stanza, Yeats resolves the dichotomy between life and death, good and evil, by suggesting that they are all part of the same spectrum. The idea that everything is connected and that good cannot exist without evil is a central theme in many of Yeats' poems.
Overall, the poem is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the struggle between life and death, good and evil. Yeats' use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism creates a sense of otherworldliness that draws the reader into the poem's mystical world.
Interpretation
"The Two Trees" is a poem about the human soul's journey through life and death. Yeats suggests that life and death are two sides of the same coin and that the human soul can transcend death and achieve redemption.
The first tree, which represents life, is described as a "fountain." The fountain symbolizes the cycle of life, as water flows from the fountain and back into the earth. The second tree, which represents the soul, is described as a "singing bird." The bird symbolizes the soul's ability to fly beyond the physical world and enter the spiritual realm.
Yeats suggests that time is a significant factor in the human journey. The first tree's leaves may be ever so good, but they will eventually wither and die. The second tree, however, can transcend time and continue to soar beyond death.
The poem also explores the concept of sin and redemption. The first tree is described as being "a fountain at my door," suggesting that it represents the sins of the human condition. However, the fifth stanza suggests that sins can be cleansed, as the fountain is also a symbol of purity.
Finally, Yeats resolves the dichotomy between life and death, good and evil, by suggesting that they are all part of the same spectrum. The idea that everything is connected and that good cannot exist without evil is a central theme in many of Yeats' poems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Two Trees" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the human condition and the struggle between life and death, good and evil. Yeats' use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism creates a sense of otherworldliness that draws the reader into the poem's mystical world.
The poem's exploration of the human soul's journey through life and death is both profound and uplifting. The idea that the soul can transcend death and achieve redemption is a message of hope and inspiration that resonates with readers.
Overall, "The Two Trees" is a timeless work of art that continues to captivate and inspire readers to this day. It is a tribute to the power of poetry and the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Two Trees by William Butler Yeats is a classic poem that has captivated readers for generations. This poem is a beautiful and complex exploration of the themes of love, life, and death. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the meaning and symbolism of this poem and explore the ways in which Yeats uses language to convey his message.
The poem begins with a description of two trees, one silver and one gold. The silver tree is described as being "light as a dream," while the gold tree is "heavy with fruit." These two trees are symbolic of the two different paths that we can take in life. The silver tree represents the path of the spiritual, while the gold tree represents the path of the material.
Yeats uses vivid imagery to describe the silver tree, which is "light as a dream." This imagery is meant to convey the idea that the spiritual path is one that is ethereal and intangible. It is a path that is not easily seen or understood, but it is one that is full of beauty and wonder. The silver tree is also described as being "unplanted," which suggests that it is not rooted in the physical world. This further emphasizes the idea that the spiritual path is one that is not tied to the material world.
In contrast, the gold tree is described as being "heavy with fruit." This imagery is meant to convey the idea that the material path is one that is tangible and concrete. It is a path that is focused on the acquisition of wealth and material possessions. The gold tree is also described as being "rooted in the earth," which suggests that it is firmly tied to the physical world. This further emphasizes the idea that the material path is one that is focused on the physical world.
The poem then goes on to describe a bird that is perched on the silver tree. This bird is symbolic of the soul, which is seeking the spiritual path. The bird is described as being "content with the dew," which suggests that the soul is satisfied with the simple pleasures of life. The dew is a natural occurrence that is often associated with purity and innocence. This further emphasizes the idea that the spiritual path is one that is focused on the simple and pure things in life.
In contrast, the poem describes a stag that is grazing under the gold tree. This stag is symbolic of the material world, which is focused on the acquisition of wealth and material possessions. The stag is described as being "heavy with the weight of his pride," which suggests that the material world is one that is focused on pride and ego. The weight of the stag's pride is a burden that he carries with him, and it is one that is not easily shed.
The poem then goes on to describe a stream that flows between the two trees. This stream is symbolic of the boundary between the spiritual and material worlds. The stream is described as being "bright with the dip of the paddles," which suggests that it is a place of movement and change. The paddles are a symbol of action and movement, and they suggest that the boundary between the spiritual and material worlds is not fixed.
The poem then describes a swan that is swimming in the stream. This swan is symbolic of the soul that is seeking to cross the boundary between the spiritual and material worlds. The swan is described as being "white as the mist," which suggests that it is a pure and innocent creature. The mist is a natural occurrence that is often associated with mystery and wonder. This further emphasizes the idea that the spiritual path is one that is full of mystery and wonder.
The poem then goes on to describe a woman who is standing on the shore of the stream. This woman is symbolic of the physical world, which is focused on the acquisition of wealth and material possessions. The woman is described as being "proud and solitary," which suggests that the physical world is one that is focused on pride and ego. The woman is also described as being "cold as the dawn," which suggests that the physical world is one that is devoid of warmth and compassion.
The poem then describes the swan as crossing the stream and landing at the woman's feet. This is symbolic of the soul that has crossed the boundary between the spiritual and material worlds. The swan is described as being "suddenly gone," which suggests that the crossing of the boundary is a sudden and unexpected event. The woman is then described as being "startled and cold," which suggests that the physical world is not prepared for the arrival of the soul.
The poem then ends with a description of the silver tree, which is described as being "light as a dream." This suggests that the spiritual path is one that is full of beauty and wonder. The poem ends with the line "But the gold tree is heavy with fruit," which suggests that the material path is one that is focused on the acquisition of wealth and material possessions.
In conclusion, The Two Trees by William Butler Yeats is a beautiful and complex exploration of the themes of love, life, and death. The poem uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey its message, and it is a testament to Yeats' skill as a poet. The poem is a reminder that there are two paths that we can take in life, and that it is up to us to choose which path we will follow.
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