'Lapis Lazuli' by William Butler Yeats
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i{(For Harry Clifton)}
I HAVE heard that hysterical women say
They are sick of the palette and fiddle-bow.
Of poets that are always gay,
For everybody knows or else should know
That if nothing drastic is done
Aeroplane and Zeppelin will come out.
Pitch like King Billy bomb-balls in
Until the town lie bearen flat.
All perform their tragic play,
There struts Hamlet, there is Lear,
That's Ophelia, that Cordelia;
Yet they, should the last scene be there,
The great stage curtain about to drop,
If worthy their prominent part in the play,
Do not break up their lines to weep.
They know that Hamlet and Lear are gay;
Gaiety transfiguring all that dread.
All men have aimed at, found and lost;
Black out; Heaven blazing into the head:
Tragedy wrought to its uttermost.
Though Hamlet rambles and Lear rages,
And all the drop-scenes drop at once
Upon a hundred thousand stages,
It cannot grow by an inch or an ounce.
On their own feet they came, or On shipboard,'
Camel-back; horse-back, ass-back, mule-back,
Old civilisations put to the sword.
Then they and their wisdom went to rack:
No handiwork of Callimachus,
Who handled marble as if it were bronze,
Made draperies that seemed to rise
When sea-wind swept the corner, stands;
His long lamp-chimney shaped like the stem
Of a slender palm, stood but a day;
All things fall and are built again,
And those that build them again are gay.
Two Chinamen, behind them a third,
Are carved in lapis lazuli,
Over them flies a long-legged bird,
A symbol of longevity;
The third, doubtless a serving-man,
Carries a musical instmment.
Every discoloration of the stone,
Every accidental crack or dent,
Seems a water-course or an avalanche,
Or lofty slope where it still snows
Though doubtless plum or cherry-branch
Sweetens the little half-way house
Those Chinamen climb towards, and I
Delight to imagine them seated there;
There, on the mountain and the sky,
On all the tragic scene they stare.
One asks for mournful melodies;
Accomplished fingers begin to play.
Their eyes mid many wrinkles, their eyes,
Their ancient, glittering eyes, are gay.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Mystical Journey in "Lapis Lazuli" by W.B. Yeats
Poetry has the power to transport us to a different world, to connect us with the divine, and to reveal the truth about ourselves and the universe we inhabit. "Lapis Lazuli" by W.B. Yeats is one such poem that takes us on a mystical journey, delving into the nature of life, death, and the eternal quest for meaning and purpose. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbols, and language of the poem to unravel its profound message and significance for our lives.
The Themes of Life, Death, and the Eternal Quest
One of the central themes of "Lapis Lazuli" is the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The poem opens with an image of people "staring blindly" at the sea, the "future that never was nor will be" (line 1-2). This suggests a sense of futility and despair that arises from the realization that life is fleeting, and that the future is uncertain and unpredictable. The sea, with its vastness and depth, symbolizes the unknown and the mystery of existence, which humans can never fully comprehend or control.
Yet, despite this sense of despair, the poem celebrates the human spirit's eternal quest for meaning and purpose. The line "All that man is, all that he has done, dies with him" (line 23) acknowledges the impermanence of human achievements, but also suggests that there is something more profound and enduring that transcends physical death. This is further reinforced by the image of the lapis lazuli stone, which is "carved with figures" that seem to "come alive" in the human mind's imagination (line 16-17). The stone represents the enduring legacy of human creativity and imagination, which can inspire and uplift us long after we are gone.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the tension between the individual and the collective. The line "They knew that Heaven is a world without a stain" (line 12) implies that there is a divine realm, a pure and perfect state of being that transcends human limitations and imperfections. Yet, the poem suggests that this state of being can only be achieved collectively, through the shared experience of beauty and art. The image of the "singer" who "holds his world remote" (line 18-19) suggests that art can transport us to a different realm, where we can experience the beauty and harmony that exist beyond our daily lives' turmoil.
The Symbols of Lapis Lazuli
The use of symbols is one of the hallmarks of Yeats's poetry, and "Lapis Lazuli" is no exception. The title of the poem, lapis lazuli, is a rare and precious stone that has been valued for centuries for its deep blue color and mystical properties. In the poem, the stone represents the enduring legacy of human creativity and imagination, which can inspire and uplift us long after we are gone. The image of the stone being "carved with figures" that seem to "come alive" in the human mind's imagination (line 16-17) suggests that art has the power to transcend time and space, to connect us with the divine, and to reveal the truth about ourselves and the universe we inhabit.
Another symbol that appears in the poem is the sea, which symbolizes the vastness and depth of the unknown and the mystery of existence. The line "staring blindly out of the sea" (line 1) suggests a sense of futility and despair that arises from the realization that life is fleeting and that the future is uncertain and unpredictable. Yet, the sea also symbolizes the potential for transformation and renewal, as suggested by the image of the "singer" who "breaks a golden string" (line 21) and "flies away" (line 22). This suggests that art has the power to transcend our earthly limitations and to transport us to a different realm of existence.
The Language of Mysticism and Beauty
The language of "Lapis Lazuli" is steeped in mysticism and beauty, reflecting the poet's belief in the transcendent power of art and the human spirit. The use of imagery, such as the image of the sea, the lapis lazuli stone, and the singer, creates a sense of otherworldliness and transcendence, suggesting that there is more to life than what we can see and touch.
The use of abstract language, such as the lines "In the uncertain hour before the morning / Near the ending of interminable night" (line 3-4) and "All that man is, all that he has done, dies with him" (line 23), contributes to the poem's mystical quality, inviting the reader to contemplate the deeper meaning and significance of the human experience.
The use of repetition is another technique that adds to the poem's beauty and impact. The refrain "But monumental silence" (line 8) reinforces the idea of the unknown and the mystery of existence, while the repetition of the word "all" in the line "All that man is, all that he has done, dies with him" (line 23) emphasizes the transience of human achievements and the inevitability of death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Lapis Lazuli" by W.B. Yeats is a mystical and profound poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the eternal quest for meaning and purpose. Through the use of symbols, language, and imagery, the poem invites the reader to contemplate the deeper meaning and significance of the human experience, and to connect with the divine and the eternal. While the poem acknowledges the inevitability of death and the transience of life, it celebrates the enduring legacy of human creativity and imagination, which can inspire and uplift us long after we are gone.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lapis Lazuli: A Masterpiece of Poetry
William Butler Yeats, the Irish poet, playwright, and politician, is widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century. His works are known for their profound philosophical insights, mystical themes, and lyrical beauty. Among his many masterpieces, Lapis Lazuli stands out as a shining gem of poetic brilliance. This poem, written in 1936, is a meditation on the human condition, the nature of art, and the eternal quest for meaning and purpose in life. In this article, we will explore the themes, symbols, and language of Lapis Lazuli and unravel its hidden meanings.
The poem begins with a vivid description of a painting, which depicts a group of men riding horses on a beach. The men are described as "noble riders" who are "saddled with the seed of birth" and "carrying the fire of the spirit". The image of the riders on the beach is a metaphor for the human journey through life. The riders represent the human soul, which is born into the world with a divine spark and a quest for transcendence. The beach symbolizes the vast expanse of existence, which is both beautiful and treacherous. The sea, which is mentioned later in the poem, represents the infinite and mysterious nature of reality.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the central theme of Lapis Lazuli, which is the contrast between the tragic nature of human existence and the redemptive power of art. Yeats writes:
"Those that come to take us away And beloved, dead or asleep, Whose shadows are the silver leaves Of the formal trees of sleep."
Here, Yeats is referring to the "noble riders" who are destined to die and to the spirits of the dead who watch over the living. The "formal trees of sleep" represent the realm of dreams and the unconscious, which is a source of inspiration for artists. Yeats suggests that art is a way of transcending the limitations of mortality and connecting with the eternal realm of the spirit. The "silver leaves" of the trees symbolize the fleeting nature of life and the beauty that can be found in the midst of tragedy.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the symbol of lapis lazuli, which is a precious stone that has been prized by artists and philosophers for centuries. Yeats writes:
"Those that know all but the last Know that it is all but the first; And that all this is but the gleam Dancing on the surface of the stream."
Here, Yeats is suggesting that the true nature of reality is hidden beneath the surface of appearances. The "stream" represents the flow of time and the transience of life. The "gleam" on the surface of the stream represents the illusions and distractions that prevent us from seeing the deeper reality. The lapis lazuli, which is described as a "blue stone" that "glows like the moon", represents the spiritual insight that can be gained through art and contemplation. The stone is a symbol of the transcendent beauty that lies beyond the mundane world of appearances.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a meditation on the nature of art and its role in human life. Yeats writes:
"But now they drift on the still water, Mysterious, beautiful; Among what rushes will they build, By what lake's edge or pool Delight men's eyes when I awake some day To find they have flown away?"
Here, Yeats is suggesting that art is a fleeting and mysterious thing that can never be fully understood or possessed. The "still water" represents the calm surface of the mind, which is a prerequisite for artistic inspiration. The "rushes" and "lake's edge" represent the natural world, which is a source of inspiration for artists. Yeats is suggesting that art is a way of capturing the beauty and mystery of the natural world and preserving it for future generations. However, he also acknowledges that art is a fragile and ephemeral thing that can never be fully grasped or controlled.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful affirmation of the redemptive power of art. Yeats writes:
"A sudden blow: the great wings beating still Above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill, He holds her helpless breast upon his breast."
Here, Yeats is describing a scene from a medieval legend in which a falcon swoops down and captures a young girl. The falcon represents the power of art, which can lift us out of the mundane world and transport us to a higher realm of beauty and meaning. The girl represents the human soul, which is vulnerable and helpless in the face of the mysteries of existence. The falcon's embrace represents the transformative power of art, which can heal and uplift the human spirit.
In conclusion, Lapis Lazuli is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the deepest questions of human existence. Through its vivid imagery, powerful symbols, and lyrical language, it invites us to contemplate the nature of reality, the role of art, and the eternal quest for meaning and purpose in life. Yeats' vision of the human journey as a noble quest for transcendence, his affirmation of the redemptive power of art, and his celebration of the beauty and mystery of the natural world continue to inspire and uplift readers today. Lapis Lazuli is a timeless work of art that speaks to the human heart and soul.
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