'The Second Coming' by William Butler Yeats
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
TURNING and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of i{Spiritus Mundi}
Troubles my sight:somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at laSt,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Second Coming: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Prophecy
Are you a fan of poetry that is both beautiful and haunting? Do you enjoy works that explore the darkest corners of the human soul? If so, then you must read William Butler Yeats' "The Second Coming," a masterpiece of symbolism and prophecy.
Overview
First published in 1920, "The Second Coming" is one of Yeats' most famous poems. It is a powerful and evocative work that speaks to the turbulent times in which it was written. The poem is steeped in symbolism and myth, drawing on ideas from Christianity, Hinduism, and Yeats' own mystical beliefs.
At its heart, "The Second Coming" is a meditation on the cyclical nature of history and the impending collapse of Western civilization. Yeats was deeply troubled by the violence and chaos of the early 20th century, and he saw signs that the world was on the brink of a catastrophic transformation.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which presents a different vision of the apocalypse. In the first stanza, Yeats describes a world in which things are falling apart and the center cannot hold. In the second stanza, he uses the image of a falcon to represent the forces of destruction that are poised to sweep across the world. In the final stanza, he presents a vision of a new age that is struggling to be born.
Analysis
Let's take a closer look at each stanza of the poem and explore the symbolism and imagery that Yeats uses to convey his message.
First Stanza
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of a falcon turning and turning in a widening gyre (a spiral) is a metaphor for the chaotic state of the world. The falcon cannot hear the falconer, symbolizing the breakdown of communication and order. The phrase "things fall apart" is a direct reference to the novel by Chinua Achebe and suggests that the world is disintegrating. The center cannot hold, suggesting that there is no central authority or moral compass to guide humanity.
Yeats uses the image of anarchy and the blood-dimmed tide to suggest the violence and upheaval that is sweeping across the world. The "ceremony of innocence" is drowned, suggesting that even the most innocent and vulnerable members of society are being caught up in the chaos.
The final lines of the stanza present a stark contrast between the best and the worst of humanity. The best lack all conviction, suggesting that even those who might have the power to make a difference are too apathetic or disillusioned to act. The worst, on the other hand, are full of passionate intensity, suggesting that those who are driving the world towards destruction are highly motivated and driven.
Second Stanza
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand;
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
The second stanza introduces the idea of the Second Coming, a biblical concept that refers to the return of Jesus Christ to Earth. Yeats suggests that this event is imminent, and that it will be accompanied by a revelation. However, the revelation that Yeats imagines is not a joyful one. Instead, he sees a vast and terrifying image that troubles his sight.
The image is drawn from Spiritus Mundi, a concept from the Hermetic tradition that suggests that there is a collective unconscious that contains the wisdom of all humanity. The image is a composite of various animal and human elements, suggesting that it represents a primal and uncivilized force. The blank and pitiless gaze of the sun suggests that this force is merciless and indifferent to human suffering.
The image is surrounded by wind shadows of the indignant desert birds, suggesting that it is a source of fear and anger for the natural world. Yeats then shifts his focus to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. He asks what rough beast, its hour come round at last, is slouching towards Bethlehem to be born. This line is one of the most famous in the poem and suggests that Yeats sees the Second Coming as a dark and dangerous event.
Third Stanza
The darkness drops again but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
The third stanza is a repeat of the final lines of the second stanza, and it is notable for its ambiguity. Yeats leaves it up to the reader to decide what the rough beast represents and what the implications of its arrival might be.
Interpretation
What does it all mean? "The Second Coming" is a deeply symbolic and ambiguous poem, and it is open to a wide range of interpretations. However, there are a few key themes that are worth exploring.
The Collapse of Western Civilization
One of the most obvious themes of the poem is the impending collapse of Western civilization. Yeats was writing at a time when the world was in turmoil, and he saw signs that the old order was breaking down. The image of a falcon turning and turning in a widening gyre suggests that things are unraveling. The center cannot hold, and anarchy is loosed upon the world.
The phrase "mere anarchy" is particularly significant. It suggests that the chaos that is unfolding is not the result of any grand plan or ideology. Instead, it is the result of a breakdown in basic social structures and the loss of a sense of shared values.
The Second Coming
The title of the poem, "The Second Coming," is a reference to the biblical concept of the return of Jesus Christ. However, Yeats' interpretation of this event is very different from the traditional Christian view. Instead of a joyful and redemptive event, Yeats sees the Second Coming as a dark and dangerous event.
The image of the rough beast slouching towards Bethlehem to be born is particularly chilling. It suggests that the Second Coming will be accompanied by a primal and uncivilized force that will bring destruction and chaos. The fact that the beast is associated with the birthplace of Jesus Christ adds an extra layer of irony to the image.
The Cyclical Nature of History
Another important theme of the poem is the cyclical nature of history. Yeats believed that history moved in cycles, with each cycle marked by a period of chaos and destruction followed by a period of rebirth and renewal. The image of a falcon turning and turning in a widening gyre suggests that this cycle is reaching its end point.
The fact that Yeats repeats the final lines of the second stanza in the third stanza suggests that this cycle is ongoing. The twenty centuries of stony sleep that have been vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle suggest that the world has been through this cycle before.
Conclusion
"The Second Coming" is a masterpiece of symbolism and prophecy. It is a powerful and evocative work that speaks to the turbulent times in which it was written. The poem is steeped in symbolism and myth, drawing on ideas from Christianity, Hinduism, and Yeats' own mystical beliefs.
At its heart, "The Second Coming" is a meditation on the cyclical nature of history and the impending collapse of Western civilization. Yeats was deeply troubled by the violence and chaos of the early 20th century, and he saw signs that the world was on the brink of a catastrophic transformation.
The image of the rough beast slouching towards Bethlehem to be born is one of the most haunting and memorable in all of literature. It speaks to our deepest fears and anxieties about the future, and it reminds us that even the most powerful civilizations are ultimately vulnerable to collapse.
If you have never read "The Second Coming," then you owe it to yourself to experience this masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a work that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, and it will challenge you to think deeply about the nature of history, civilization, and the human soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Second Coming: A Poem of Hope and Despair
William Butler Yeats' "The Second Coming" is a poem that has been widely studied and analyzed for its complex themes and imagery. Written in 1919, the poem reflects the turmoil and uncertainty of the post-World War I era, as well as Yeats' own personal struggles with aging and the decline of his country's cultural and political institutions. At its core, "The Second Coming" is a poem about the cyclical nature of history and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
The poem's opening lines are among the most famous in all of modern literature: "Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer; / Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; / Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world." The image of the falcon and its falconer is a powerful metaphor for the breakdown of communication and control in society. The falcon, representing the forces of chaos and anarchy, has become so distant from its master that it can no longer hear his commands. The center, which represents the stable and ordered society, has collapsed, leaving only chaos and confusion in its wake.
The poem's title, "The Second Coming," refers to the Christian belief in the return of Jesus Christ to Earth. However, Yeats uses this concept in a metaphorical sense, suggesting that a new era is about to begin, one that will be marked by violence and upheaval. The poem's second stanza describes a "rough beast" that is "slouching towards Bethlehem to be born." This beast is a symbol of the forces of evil that are gathering strength and preparing to unleash their destructive power on the world.
The image of the "rough beast" is one of the most haunting and memorable in all of modern poetry. It is a symbol of the dark and destructive forces that are always present in human society, waiting to be unleashed. Yeats believed that these forces were particularly strong in his own time, as the world was still reeling from the devastation of World War I and the collapse of the old order. The poem's final lines, "And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, / Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?" suggest that the new era that is about to begin will be marked by violence and destruction, as the forces of evil and chaos are unleashed upon the world.
Despite its bleak and ominous tone, "The Second Coming" is also a poem of hope and redemption. Yeats believed that the forces of good and evil were in a constant struggle, and that ultimately, good would triumph over evil. The poem's final lines suggest that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future. Yeats writes, "Surely some revelation is at hand; / Surely the Second Coming is at hand." These lines suggest that even in the midst of chaos and destruction, there is always the possibility of a new beginning, a new era of peace and prosperity.
In conclusion, "The Second Coming" is a poem of great complexity and depth, one that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and readers for nearly a century. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the cyclical nature of history and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Yeats uses powerful imagery and metaphor to convey his message, creating a poem that is both haunting and beautiful. Despite its bleak and ominous tone, "The Second Coming" is ultimately a poem of hope and redemption, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of a new beginning.
Editor Recommended Sites
Kids Books: Reading books for kids. Learn programming for kids: Scratch, Python. Learn AI for kidsDigital Transformation: Business digital transformation learning framework, for upgrading a business to the digital age
Startup Value: Discover your startup's value. Articles on valuation
Learn Redshift: Learn the redshift datawarehouse by AWS, course by an Ex-Google engineer
Little Known Dev Tools: New dev tools fresh off the github for cli management, replacing default tools, better CLI UI interfaces
Recommended Similar Analysis
Song Of Myself by Walt Whitman analysisYou Begin by Margaret Atwood analysis
The Crystal Gazer by Sarah Teasdale analysis
A Pact by Ezra Pound analysis
Elegy For Jane by Theodore Roethke analysis
Inscription by Walt Whitman analysis
Sonnet XIV by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Style by Carl Sandburg analysis
The Fascination Of What's Difficult by William Butler Yeats analysis
Meditations In Time Of Civil War by William Butler Yeats analysis