'In The Seven Woods' by William Butler Yeats


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I HAVE heard the pigeons of the Seven Woods
Make their faint thunder, and the garden bees
Hum in the lime-tree flowers; and put away
The unavailing outcries and the old bitterness
That empty the heart.I have forgot awhile
Tara uprooted, and new commonness
Upon the throne and crying about the streets
And hanging its paper flowers from post to post,
Because it is alone of all things happy.
I am contented, for I know that Quiet
Wanders laughing and eating her wild heart
Among pigeons and bees, while that Great Archer,
Who but awaits His hour to shoot, still hangs
A cloudy quiver over Pairc-na-lee.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, In The Seven Woods: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Imagery

William Butler Yeats, the renowned Irish poet, wrote 'Poetry, In The Seven Woods' in 1903, which is considered one of his most famous works. This poem is an exploration of the power of poetry and the ability of the poet to transcend the mundane and enter into a realm of spiritual experience. The poem is filled with rich symbolism and imagery that is both haunting and beautiful.

The Seven Woods: A Symbolic Journey

The title of the poem itself is significant, as it refers to the Seven Woods of Coole, which was a park near Yeats' home in Ireland. This park was believed to be the dwelling place of the fairies and was a place of mystery and enchantment. In the poem, Yeats takes the reader on a symbolic journey through these woods, exploring the landscape of the imagination and the power of the poet to transform reality through language.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the poet's journey through the woods. In the first part, Yeats establishes the idea of the poet as a spiritual guide, leading the reader through the landscape of the imagination. He does this through a series of vivid images and metaphors that create a sense of wonder and mystery.

The Power of the Imagination

In the second part of the poem, Yeats explores the power of the imagination to transform reality. He uses the image of a girl weaving a tapestry to symbolize the act of creation, and describes the poet as weaving a tapestry of words that brings the world to life. He also explores the idea of the poet as a shaman, able to enter into a trance-like state and communicate with the spirits of the earth.

The final part of the poem is a meditation on the nature of time and the transience of life. Yeats uses the image of a beautiful woman dancing in the woods to symbolize the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the moment. He also explores the idea of death as a gateway to a higher realm of existence, and suggests that the poet has the power to transcend death and achieve immortality through his work.

The Power of Symbolism

Throughout the poem, Yeats uses rich symbolism and imagery to create a sense of depth and mystery. For example, he uses the image of a hawk to represent the poet's ability to see beyond the surface of things and perceive the hidden truths of the world. He also uses the image of a swan to symbolize the power of the imagination to transform reality, and the image of a tree to represent the wisdom and spirituality of the natural world.

Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Imagery

In conclusion, 'Poetry, In The Seven Woods' is a masterpiece of symbolism and imagery that explores the power of the poet to transcend reality and enter into a realm of spiritual experience. Through vivid images and metaphors, Yeats creates a sense of wonder and mystery that draws the reader into his mystical world. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to transform our perceptions of the world and elevate our spirits to new heights of understanding and appreciation.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry In The Seven Woods: A Masterpiece of William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats, the Irish poet, playwright, and politician, is considered one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century. His works are known for their lyrical beauty, mysticism, and symbolism. Among his many works, Poetry In The Seven Woods stands out as a masterpiece that showcases Yeats' poetic genius.

Poetry In The Seven Woods is a collection of poems that Yeats wrote in the early 1900s. The title of the collection is derived from an old Irish legend that speaks of seven woods, each with its unique character and atmosphere. Yeats uses this legend as a metaphor for the different stages of his poetic journey.

The collection is divided into three parts, each with its distinct themes and motifs. The first part, titled "In the Seven Woods," contains poems that explore the themes of love, nature, and the supernatural. The second part, titled "The Old Age of Queen Maeve," is a retelling of an old Irish legend about a powerful queen who seeks immortality. The third part, titled "Baile and Aillinn," is a series of poems that explore the themes of love, death, and the afterlife.

The first part of the collection, "In the Seven Woods," is perhaps the most famous. It contains some of Yeats' most beautiful and lyrical poems, such as "The Hosting of the Sidhe," "The Song of Wandering Aengus," and "The Folly of Being Comforted." These poems are characterized by their use of vivid imagery, musical language, and mystical themes.

"The Hosting of the Sidhe" is a poem that speaks of the supernatural beings that inhabit the Irish countryside. The poem is full of vivid descriptions of these beings, such as "the faeries' midnight revelry" and "the dancing horses of the sea." The poem is also notable for its use of musical language, with its repeated use of the phrase "the host is riding from Knocknarea."

"The Song of Wandering Aengus" is another poem that showcases Yeats' poetic genius. The poem tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a beautiful woman he sees in a dream. The young man spends his life searching for this woman, but he never finds her. The poem is full of beautiful imagery, such as "a silver trout leaps up to the moon" and "the silver apples of the moon, the golden apples of the sun."

"The Folly of Being Comforted" is a poem that explores the theme of love and loss. The poem speaks of a man who has lost his love and is trying to find comfort in the world around him. The poem is full of beautiful imagery, such as "the grey winds, the cold winds are blowing where I go" and "the white stars, the white stars are tumbling from the sky."

The second part of the collection, "The Old Age of Queen Maeve," is a retelling of an old Irish legend about a powerful queen who seeks immortality. The poem is full of vivid descriptions of the queen's journey, such as "she passed the flaming ramparts of the world" and "she saw the sun, the moon, and the stars." The poem is also notable for its use of symbolism, with the queen's journey representing the human quest for immortality.

The third part of the collection, "Baile and Aillinn," is a series of poems that explore the themes of love, death, and the afterlife. The poems are full of beautiful imagery, such as "the silver apples of the moon, the golden apples of the sun" and "the white birds, the white birds are flying." The poems also explore the theme of the afterlife, with the characters in the poems seeking to find their place in the world beyond.

In conclusion, Poetry In The Seven Woods is a masterpiece of William Butler Yeats. The collection showcases Yeats' poetic genius, with its use of vivid imagery, musical language, and mystical themes. The collection is a testament to Yeats' status as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century and a must-read for anyone interested in poetry or Irish literature.

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