'The Great Day' by William Butler Yeats
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HURRAH for revolution and more cannon-shot!
A beggar upon horseback lashes a beggar on foot.
Hurrah for revolution and cannon come again!
The beggars have changed places, but the lash goes on.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Great Day: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Mysticism
Wow! Just wow! The Great Day by William Butler Yeats is a poem that leaves me spellbound every time I read it. The sheer depth of symbolism and mysticism in this poem is astounding. It's hard to believe that a mere 63 lines of verse could contain so much meaning and beauty. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the world of Yeats' imagination and explore the themes of spirituality, history, and mythology that he weaves so masterfully in The Great Day.
Background and Context
To understand the poem better, we must first understand the context and background of Yeats' life and work. Yeats was an Irish poet and playwright who lived from 1865 to 1939. He was a prominent figure in the Irish literary revival and played a significant role in the creation of Irish national identity. Yeats was fascinated by mysticism, spirituality, and the occult, and these themes are prevalent in his work.
The Great Day was written in 1916, during a period of great political and social upheaval in Ireland. The Easter Rising had just taken place, and the country was in turmoil. The poem reflects Yeats' feelings about the state of Ireland at the time, but it is also a meditation on the nature of history, spirituality, and the human condition.
The Poem
The Great Day is a seven-stanza poem, each consisting of nine lines. The poem is written in the form of a chant or incantation, with a repetitive structure and rhythm that gives it a hypnotic quality. The poem's opening lines are:
When the dawn comes up dim
Then the great wheels grind and whir
If the good King lives or if he dies
His foes shall feel the conqueror's spurs
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The imagery of the "great wheels" grinding and whirring suggests the inexorable march of history. Yeats seems to be saying that no matter what happens, the wheels of fate will continue to turn. The reference to the "good King" is a nod to the Arthurian legend, and it is significant that Yeats does not specify which king he is referring to. This ambiguity suggests that the poem is not just about one particular king or historical event but is a meditation on the cyclical nature of history.
The poem goes on to describe a series of images that are both mystical and symbolic. There are references to the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water), the four seasons, and the symbols of the zodiac. These images suggest that the poem is not just about one particular place or time but is a reflection on the nature of the universe.
The poem's closing lines are:
And we shall know by whom you swore
When you were sad, and young, and poor
Ah, sweet to-morrow! Wherefore fret
The great wheels hum, intolerable wheel
For I shall die and find him yet
These lines are both haunting and beautiful. Yeats seems to be saying that even though he will die, he will find the "good King" in the afterlife. The image of the "great wheels" humming suggests that even in death, the wheels of fate will continue to turn. The poem ends on a note of hope and optimism, suggesting that even though life is fleeting, there is something eternal and unchanging that we can hold on to.
Themes
There are several themes that are explored in The Great Day. One of the most prominent is the theme of spirituality. Yeats was deeply interested in mysticism and the occult, and he believed that there was a spiritual dimension to the universe that was beyond the reach of ordinary human understanding. The poem's references to the four elements, the symbols of the zodiac, and the cyclical nature of history suggest that there is a deeper order to the universe that we are only dimly aware of.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the theme of history. Yeats was fascinated by history, and he believed that it was cyclical in nature. The poem's references to the Arthurian legend and the imagery of the "great wheels" grinding and whirring suggest that history is not a linear progression but a series of cycles that repeat themselves over time.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of mythology. Yeats was deeply interested in mythology, and he believed that it had the power to illuminate the human condition. The poem's references to the four elements, the symbols of the zodiac, and the Arthurian legend suggest that mythology can help us to understand the deeper meaning of our lives.
Interpretation
The Great Day is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. At its core, it is a meditation on the nature of spirituality, history, and mythology. The poem suggests that there is a deeper order to the universe that we can only dimly perceive. It also suggests that history is not a linear progression but a series of cycles that repeat themselves over time. Finally, the poem suggests that mythology has the power to illuminate the human condition and help us understand the deeper meaning of our lives.
One way of interpreting the poem is to see it as a reflection on Yeats' own life and work. Yeats was deeply interested in mysticism, history, and mythology, and these themes are all present in his poetry. The poem's references to the Arthurian legend and the imagery of the "great wheels" grinding and whirring suggest that Yeats saw himself as part of a larger tradition of poets and artists who had grappled with these themes throughout history.
Another way of interpreting the poem is to see it as a commentary on the state of Ireland at the time. The Easter Rising had just taken place, and the country was in turmoil. The poem's references to the "good King" and the cyclical nature of history suggest that Yeats saw the uprising as part of a larger historical cycle that had been repeating itself in Ireland for centuries.
Conclusion
The Great Day is a masterpiece of symbolism and mysticism. It is a reflection on the nature of spirituality, history, and mythology, and it is a testament to Yeats' skill as a poet. The poem's references to the Arthurian legend, the four elements, and the symbols of the zodiac suggest that there is a deeper order to the universe that we can only dimly perceive. The poem's closing lines suggest that even though life is fleeting, there is something eternal and unchanging that we can hold on to. This is a poem that is both haunting and beautiful, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Great Day: A Masterpiece of William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats, the Irish poet, playwright, and politician, is one of the most celebrated literary figures of the 20th century. His works are known for their lyrical beauty, mysticism, and symbolism. Among his many masterpieces, "The Great Day" stands out as a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of human existence and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Written in 1903, "The Great Day" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the themes of love, death, and redemption. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which represents a different stage in the journey of the soul. The first part, "The Fool by the Roadside," introduces the main character of the poem, a fool who is wandering by the roadside. The fool is a symbol of the human condition, lost and confused, searching for meaning and purpose in life.
The second part, "The Lover Tells of the Rose in His Heart," is a love poem that describes the beauty and power of love. The lover is a symbol of the human desire for connection and intimacy, and the rose is a symbol of the beloved. The poem celebrates the joy and ecstasy of love, but also acknowledges its fleeting nature and the pain of separation.
The third part, "The Host of the Air," is a mystical and visionary poem that describes the journey of the soul after death. The host of the air is a symbol of the divine, and the poem suggests that the soul is ultimately redeemed and reunited with the divine. The poem ends with a powerful image of the soul ascending to heaven, accompanied by the host of the air.
One of the most striking features of "The Great Day" is its use of symbolism. Yeats was deeply influenced by the occult and mystical traditions, and his poetry is full of esoteric symbols and references. In "The Great Day," the fool, the lover, and the host of the air are all symbols of different aspects of the human experience. The fool represents the search for meaning and purpose, the lover represents the desire for connection and intimacy, and the host of the air represents the divine.
The rose is another important symbol in the poem. It is a symbol of love, beauty, and perfection, but also of transience and mortality. The rose is described as "a rose in the high garden," suggesting that it is a symbol of the divine. The lover's heart is compared to a rose garden, suggesting that love is a sacred space that must be tended and nurtured.
The host of the air is perhaps the most enigmatic symbol in the poem. It is described as a "great bird," a "mighty angel," and a "host of the air." It is associated with the sun, the moon, and the stars, suggesting that it is a cosmic force. The host of the air is also associated with the idea of redemption, suggesting that it is a symbol of the divine.
Another notable feature of "The Great Day" is its use of language and imagery. Yeats was a master of language, and his poetry is known for its musicality and richness. In "The Great Day," he uses a variety of poetic techniques, including alliteration, assonance, and rhyme, to create a musical and rhythmic effect. The imagery in the poem is also striking, with vivid descriptions of the rose, the host of the air, and the journey of the soul.
Overall, "The Great Day" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of the human experience. It explores the themes of love, death, and redemption, and uses symbolism, language, and imagery to create a rich and complex work of art. Yeats was a master of his craft, and "The Great Day" is a testament to his genius.
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