'He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty' by William Butler Yeats
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O CLOUD-PALE eyelids, dream-dimmed eyes,
The poets labouring all their days
To build a perfect beauty in rhyme
Are overthrown by a woman's gaze
And by the unlabouring brood of the skies:
And therefore my heart will bow, when dew
Is dropping sleep, until God burn time,
Before the unlabouring stars and you.
Editor 1 Interpretation
He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty: A Masterpiece by William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats is an Irish poet, playwright, and writer who has left an indelible mark on the world of literature. His poems are a reflection of his own life experiences, the political and social upheavals of his time, and his deep understanding of human emotions. "He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty" is one such poem that showcases Yeats' mastery over the art of poetry.
Overview of the Poem
"He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty" is a poem that describes the beauty of a woman who is perfect in every way. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each comprising of four lines. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the physical beauty of the woman, while in the second stanza, he talks about her inner beauty. The third stanza is a culmination of the first two stanzas, where the speaker declares that the woman is perfect in every way.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the line "He tells of the perfect beauty, the great light," which immediately draws the reader's attention to the subject of the poem. The use of the word "perfect" in the very first line sets the tone for the entire poem. The speaker is enamored with the woman's beauty and is in awe of it.
In the first stanza, the speaker describes the woman's physical beauty. He talks about her "hair like a web of golden dew" and her eyes that are "as blue as the sky." The use of the metaphor "web of golden dew" to describe the woman's hair is striking. It not only adds to the imagery of the poem but also gives the reader a sense of the woman's delicate nature.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker talks about the woman's inner beauty. He describes her as having a "heart that is pure as a pearl." This line is significant as it shows that the speaker is not just interested in the woman's physical appearance but is also drawn to her character. The use of the simile "pure as a pearl" is a beautiful way to describe the woman's heart.
In the third stanza, the speaker declares that the woman is perfect in every way. He says that "all beauty that ever was or will be is in her." This line is a culmination of the first two stanzas and shows that the speaker is completely enamored with the woman. The use of the word "all" in this line is significant as it shows that the woman is not just beautiful physically and emotionally but is also perfect in every other way.
Interpretation of the Poem
"He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty" is a poem that celebrates the beauty of a woman. However, it is not just her physical appearance that the speaker is drawn to but also her inner beauty. The poem is a reflection of Yeats' own beliefs about beauty and perfection. Yeats believed that true beauty was not just skin deep but was also a reflection of a person's character.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the society of Yeats' time. During Yeats' time, women were often objectified and judged solely on their physical appearance. However, this poem shows that the speaker is drawn to the woman's inner beauty and not just her physical appearance. This can be seen as a criticism of the society of Yeats' time and its objectification of women.
The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection of Yeats' own personal life. Yeats was a man who was deeply interested in the occult and the supernatural. He believed in the existence of a perfect world that was beyond the realm of human experience. The woman in the poem can be seen as a representation of this perfect world. The fact that the speaker declares that "all beauty that ever was or will be is in her" can be seen as a reflection of Yeats' own beliefs about the existence of a perfect world.
Conclusion
"He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty" is a masterpiece by William Butler Yeats. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of a woman and showcases Yeats' mastery over the art of poetry. The poem is not just a reflection of Yeats' own beliefs about beauty and perfection but also a commentary on the society of his time. The poem is a testament to the fact that true beauty is not just skin deep but is also a reflection of a person's character. It is a poem that continues to inspire and captivate readers even today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty: 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 mystical and symbolic themes, and his poetry has been praised for its beauty and depth. One of his most famous poems, "He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Yeats' poetic style.
The poem is a sonnet, a form of poetry that consists of 14 lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme. Yeats' sonnet is divided into two parts, the octave (the first eight lines) and the sestet (the last six lines). The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a meter that consists of five stressed syllables followed by five unstressed syllables.
The octave of the poem describes the speaker's encounter with a beautiful woman. The speaker is struck by her beauty and is unable to speak. He describes her as "a thing of beauty," and compares her to a "rose in the wind." The speaker is overwhelmed by her beauty and is unable to express his feelings.
The sestet of the poem shifts the focus from the woman to the speaker's own feelings. He realizes that his own feelings of love and desire are just as beautiful as the woman herself. He describes his feelings as "a flame that burns in secret," and compares them to the "light that fills the rose." The speaker realizes that his own feelings are just as important as the woman's beauty, and that they are both part of the same divine beauty.
The poem is filled with rich imagery and symbolism. The rose, for example, is a symbol of beauty and love, and is often used in poetry to represent the feminine. The wind, on the other hand, is a symbol of change and transformation, and is often used to represent the masculine. The combination of the rose and the wind in the poem represents the union of the feminine and the masculine, and the beauty that arises from their union.
The poem also contains references to Greek mythology. The speaker compares the woman to "Helen," the most beautiful woman in Greek mythology, who was the cause of the Trojan War. The reference to Helen suggests that the woman's beauty is so powerful that it can cause conflict and turmoil.
The poem's title, "He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty," suggests that the speaker is trying to convey a message about the nature of beauty. The word "perfect" suggests that beauty is something that is unattainable, and that it exists only in the realm of the divine. The poem suggests that beauty is not just a physical attribute, but is also a spiritual quality that can be found in love and desire.
The poem's message is one of unity and harmony. The speaker realizes that his own feelings of love and desire are just as beautiful as the woman's physical beauty, and that they are both part of the same divine beauty. The poem suggests that beauty is not something that can be possessed or owned, but is something that can be experienced and shared.
In conclusion, "He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty" is a masterpiece of William Butler Yeats. The poem captures the essence of Yeats' poetic style, with its rich imagery and symbolism. The poem's message of unity and harmony is a timeless one, and its beauty and depth continue to inspire readers today.
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