'The Madness Of King Goll' by William Butler Yeats
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I SAT on cushioned otter-skin:
My word was law from Ith to Emain,
And shook at Inver Amergin
The hearts of the world-troubling seamen,
And drove tumult and war away
From girl and boy and man and beast;
The fields grew fatter day by day,
The wild fowl of the air increased;
And every ancient Ollave said,
While he bent down his fading head.
"He drives away the Northern cold.'
i{They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.}
I sat and mused and drank sweet wine;
A herdsman came from inland valleys,
Crying, the pirates drove his swine
To fill their dark-beaked hollow galleys.
I called my battle-breaking men
And my loud brazen battle-cars
From rolling vale and rivery glen;
And under the blinking of the stars
Fell on the pirates by the deep,
And hurled them in the gulph of sleep:
These hands won many a torque of gold.
i{They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.}
But slowly, as I shouting slew
And trampled in the bubbling mire,
In my most secret spirit grew
A whirling and a wandering fire:
I stood:keen stars above me shone,
Around me shone keen eyes of men:
I laughed aloud and hurried on
By rocky shore and rushy fen;
I laughed because birds fluttered by,
And starlight gleamed, and clouds flew high,
And rushes waved and waters rolled.
i{They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.}
And now I wander in the woods
When summer gluts the golden bees,
Or in autumnal solitudes
Arise the leopard-coloured trees;
Or when along the wintry strands
The cormorants shiver on their rocks;
I wander on, and wave my hands,
And sing, and shake my heavy locks.
The grey wolf knows me; by one ear
I lead along the woodland deer;
The hares run by me growing bold.
i{They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.}
I came upon a little town
That slumbered in the harvest moon,
And passed a-tiptoe up and down,
Murmuring, to a fitful tune,
How I have followed, night and day,
A tramping of tremendous feet,
And saw where this old tympan lay
Deserted on a doorway seat,
And bore it to the woods with me;
Of some inhuman misery
Our married voices wildly trolled.
i{They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.}
I sang how, when day's toil is done,
Orchil shakes out her long dark hair
That hides away the dying sun
And sheds faint odours through the air:
When my hand passed from wire to wire
It quenched, with sound like falling dew
The whirling and the wandering fire;
But lift a mournful ulalu,
For the kind wires are torn and still,
And I must wander wood and hill
Through summer's heat and winter's cold.
i{They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.}
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Madness Of King Goll: A Deep Dive Into Yeats' Masterpiece
The Madness of King Goll is one of the most fascinating poems written by William Butler Yeats. It is a complex, multi-layered work that deals with themes of madness, power, and the consequences of ambition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices.
Overview:
The Madness of King Goll tells the story of a king who becomes obsessed with the idea of possessing all the knowledge in the world. He seeks out the wise men of his kingdom and demands that they teach him everything they know. However, his quest for knowledge turns into an obsession that drives him to madness. In the end, he loses his mind and his kingdom falls into chaos.
Structure:
The poem is divided into four parts, each of which has a different focus. The first part sets the stage and introduces the reader to King Goll and his quest for knowledge. The second part is a dialogue between the king and a wise man, who tries to warn him of the dangers of his obsession. The third part is a meditation on the nature of madness and power, while the fourth part is a conclusion that ties everything together.
The structure of the poem is crucial to its meaning. By dividing the poem into four parts, Yeats is able to explore different aspects of his themes in a more focused way. The dialogue between the king and the wise man, for example, allows Yeats to delve deeper into the psychology of his characters.
Themes:
The Madness of King Goll deals with several themes, but the most important ones are madness, power, and the consequences of ambition.
Madness:
The theme of madness is central to the poem. Yeats explores the idea that the pursuit of knowledge can lead to madness, as well as the idea that madness can be a form of knowledge in itself. King Goll's obsession with knowledge eventually drives him to madness, and Yeats portrays his descent into madness in vivid detail. The king's irrational behavior and his inability to distinguish reality from fantasy are depicted with a sense of horror and awe.
Power:
The theme of power is also important to the poem. Yeats shows how the desire for power can lead to madness and how power can corrupt even the most noble of men. King Goll is a powerful king, but his desire for knowledge makes him obsessive and tyrannical. In the end, he loses his power and his kingdom falls into chaos.
Ambition:
The consequences of ambition are also explored in the poem. King Goll's ambition to possess all knowledge leads him to madness and ultimately destroys his kingdom. Yeats uses this theme to explore the idea that ambition can be dangerous and that it can lead to the downfall of even the most powerful men.
Literary Devices:
The Madness of King Goll is a masterful work of poetry, and Yeats employs a variety of literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. Some of the most important devices include:
Symbolism:
Symbolism is one of the most important literary devices in the poem. Yeats uses symbols to represent abstract concepts like power, knowledge, and madness. For example, the king's obsession with knowledge is symbolized by the image of the "book of all knowledge," which he seeks to possess. Similarly, his descent into madness is symbolized by the image of the "black bird" that haunts him throughout the poem.
Imagery:
The poem is filled with vivid imagery that helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. Yeats uses imagery to depict the king's descent into madness, as well as to create a sense of foreboding and dread. For example, the image of the "black bird" that haunts the king is a powerful and eerie image that adds to the overall sense of unease in the poem.
Allusion:
Yeats also employs allusion to enhance the meaning of the poem. He alludes to several works of literature, including Shakespeare's Hamlet and Milton's Paradise Lost. By doing so, he is able to connect his themes to larger literary traditions and create a deeper sense of meaning.
Interpretation:
The Madness of King Goll is a complex and multi-layered work that can be interpreted in many different ways. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the dangers of knowledge and the pursuit of power. King Goll's obsession with knowledge leads him to madness, and his lust for power ultimately destroys his kingdom.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of madness itself. Yeats explores the idea that madness can be a form of knowledge, and that it can reveal truths that are hidden from sane individuals. The image of the "black bird" that haunts the king could be seen as a symbol of this hidden knowledge.
Ultimately, the meaning of the poem is open to interpretation, and readers will likely find their own unique meanings in the work.
Conclusion:
The Madness of King Goll is a masterful work of poetry that explores complex themes with a variety of literary devices. Yeats uses symbolism, imagery, and allusion to create a sense of atmosphere and to enhance the meaning of his work. The poem's structure is also crucial to its meaning, allowing Yeats to explore different aspects of his themes in a more focused way. Overall, The Madness of King Goll is a deeply rewarding work of poetry that rewards close reading and interpretation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Madness of King Goll: A Masterpiece of Poetry by William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and complex works that explore the human condition, spirituality, and the mysteries of life. Among his many masterpieces, "The Madness of King Goll" stands out as a powerful and haunting poem that delves into the dark side of human nature and the consequences of unchecked ambition and desire.
Written in 1897, "The Madness of King Goll" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a legendary Irish king who becomes consumed by his own lust for power and glory. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of King Goll's descent into madness and eventual downfall.
The first part of the poem sets the stage for the story and introduces the character of King Goll. We learn that he is a powerful and respected king who has achieved great success in battle and has amassed a vast kingdom. However, despite his many accomplishments, King Goll is not content. He longs for even greater power and glory and becomes obsessed with the idea of conquering the world.
In the second part of the poem, we see King Goll's obsession with power and glory begin to consume him. He becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional, convinced that his enemies are plotting against him and that he must take drastic measures to protect his kingdom. He orders his soldiers to kill anyone who opposes him, even his own family members and advisors. He becomes so consumed by his own madness that he loses touch with reality and becomes a tyrant, ruling with an iron fist and showing no mercy to anyone who crosses him.
The third and final part of the poem sees King Goll's downfall. Despite his best efforts to maintain his power, his enemies eventually rise up against him and he is defeated in battle. He is captured and brought before his enemies, who mock him and taunt him for his madness and arrogance. In the end, King Goll is left alone and broken, a shadow of his former self, consumed by his own madness and the consequences of his unchecked ambition.
What makes "The Madness of King Goll" such a powerful and haunting poem is the way in which Yeats explores the themes of power, ambition, and madness. Through the character of King Goll, Yeats shows us the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of pursuing power at any cost. He also explores the idea of madness as a form of self-destruction, a way in which we can become consumed by our own desires and lose touch with reality.
The poem is also notable for its use of language and imagery. Yeats' use of vivid and evocative language creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that draws the reader into the story. His use of imagery, particularly in the second part of the poem, where he describes King Goll's descent into madness, is particularly powerful. The image of King Goll sitting alone in his castle, surrounded by the corpses of his enemies, is a haunting and unforgettable image that stays with the reader long after the poem has ended.
Overall, "The Madness of King Goll" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores some of the most profound and complex themes of the human experience. Through the character of King Goll, Yeats shows us the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of pursuing power at any cost. He also explores the idea of madness as a form of self-destruction, a way in which we can become consumed by our own desires and lose touch with reality. With its vivid language, haunting imagery, and powerful themes, "The Madness of King Goll" is a poem that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.
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