'He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge' by William Butler Yeats
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I WANDER by the edge
Of this desolate lake
Where wind cries in the sedge:
i{Until the axle break
That keeps the stars in their round,
And hands hurl in the deep
The banners of East and West,
And the girdle of light is unhound,
Your breast will not lie by the breast
Of your beloved in sleep.}
Editor 1 Interpretation
He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge: A Literary Masterpiece of William Butler Yeats
Are you a fan of poetry? If so, you must have come across the works of William Butler Yeats. He is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his contribution to the world of literature is unmatched. In this literary criticism, we will explore one of his classic works, He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge.
Background and Context
To appreciate the beauty of this poem, it is essential to understand its background and context. He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge was written in 1899 and was published in Yeats' collection of poems, The Wind Among the Reeds. The poem is a part of the collection that focuses on Yeats' love for Maud Gonne, an Irish revolutionary whom he met in 1889. In this poem, Yeats reflects on the idea of love and the power that it holds over him.
Literary Analysis
The poem opens with the speaker describing a sedge that cries out to him. The sedge is a type of grass that grows in wetlands, and its cry is a metaphor for the speaker's emotional turmoil. The speaker hears the sedge's cry, and it reminds him of the pain of love. The sedge's cry is also a symbol of the speaker's desire for his lover. The use of the sedge as a metaphor is a recurring theme in Yeats' poetry, and it represents the speaker's longing for something he cannot have.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's pain becomes more apparent. He describes himself as being "broken-hearted," and his "mind is troubled." The use of the term "broken-hearted" is significant, as it is a common expression used to describe the pain of love. The speaker's mind is "troubled" because he cannot escape his thoughts of his lover. He is consumed by his emotions, and they are affecting his mental state.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus from the speaker to his lover. The speaker describes his lover as being "proud and young and ignorant of sin." This description is significant, as it shows the speaker's admiration for his lover. He sees her as pure and innocent, and he is drawn to her because of this. The use of the term "ignorant of sin" is also important, as it suggests that the speaker sees his lover as being above the petty concerns of the world.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker's emotions come to a head. He declares that he would "live alone in the bee-loud glade." This statement is significant, as it shows the lengths that the speaker is willing to go to be with his lover. He is willing to leave society and live alone in a glade just to be close to her. This desire is further emphasized in the following lines, where the speaker declares that he would "have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow." The use of the term "peace" is significant, as it shows that the speaker sees his lover as a source of comfort and tranquility. He believes that he can find peace only when he is with her.
The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to a realization. He declares that "love has pitched his mansion in the place of excrement." This statement is significant, as it shows the speaker's understanding of the nature of love. Love is not always beautiful and pure; it can be messy and difficult. The use of the term "excrement" is significant, as it represents the more unpleasant aspects of love. The speaker acknowledges that love is not always easy, but he is still willing to endure its hardships.
Interpretation
He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge is a poem about love and the pain that it can bring. The speaker is consumed by his emotions and cannot escape his thoughts of his lover. He sees her as pure and innocent, and he is drawn to her because of this. The speaker is willing to go to great lengths to be with his lover, even if it means leaving society and living alone in a glade. However, he also understands the messy and difficult nature of love and is willing to endure its hardships.
The poem can be interpreted in many ways, but it is most often seen as a reflection of Yeats' own experiences with love. Yeats was deeply in love with Maud Gonne, and his feelings for her inspired much of his poetry. He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge is a testament to the power of love and the pain that it can bring. It is a reminder that love is not always easy, but it is worth enduring its hardships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the complexities of love. Yeats' use of metaphor and symbolism creates a powerful image of the speaker's emotional turmoil. The poem is a reflection of Yeats' own experiences with love, and it is a testament to the power of this emotion. If you have not read this poem, I highly recommend that you do so. It is one of Yeats' most beautiful works and is sure to leave an impression on you.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge: A Masterpiece of William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats, the Irish poet, playwright, and politician, is considered one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century. His works are known for their lyrical beauty, spiritual depth, and political commentary. Among his many poems, "He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge" stands out as a masterpiece that showcases Yeats' poetic genius.
The poem was first published in 1899 in Yeats' collection "The Wind Among the Reeds." It is a short, four-stanza poem that captures the essence of Irish folklore and mythology. The poem's title refers to the sedge, a type of grass that grows in wetlands and is often associated with the supernatural in Irish folklore.
The poem's first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It describes the sedge's cry, which the speaker hears as he walks by the wetlands. The cry is described as "lonely" and "wild," suggesting that it is not a natural sound but rather a supernatural one. The speaker is drawn to the sedge's cry, and he stops to listen to it.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes what he sees as he listens to the sedge's cry. He sees a "heron-priest" standing on one leg, which is a common image in Irish folklore. The heron-priest is a symbol of the supernatural, and his presence suggests that the sedge's cry is a call to the otherworld.
The third stanza is the most enigmatic of the poem. It describes a "shadowy" figure that the speaker sees in the water. The figure is described as having "eyes that love" and a "heart that mourns." This figure is likely a reference to the Irish myth of the banshee, a supernatural being that is said to appear before someone's death. The banshee is often depicted as a woman with long hair and a mournful cry.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close. The speaker says that he is "haunted" by the sedge's cry and that he cannot forget it. He suggests that the cry is a reminder of the "lonely" and "wild" nature of the world and that it is a call to embrace the supernatural.
The poem's beauty lies in its ability to capture the essence of Irish folklore and mythology in just four stanzas. Yeats' use of imagery and symbolism creates a haunting and mystical atmosphere that draws the reader into the world of the supernatural. The sedge's cry is a metaphor for the call of the otherworld, and the heron-priest and shadowy figure are symbols of the supernatural beings that inhabit that world.
The poem's themes are also deeply rooted in Irish culture. The idea of the supernatural and the otherworld is a common theme in Irish folklore, and Yeats' poem captures that theme perfectly. The poem also suggests that the natural world is not just a physical reality but also a spiritual one. The sedge's cry is a reminder that there is more to the world than what we can see and touch.
In addition to its cultural and spiritual themes, the poem also has political undertones. Yeats was a staunch supporter of Irish nationalism, and his poetry often reflected that support. The sedge's cry can be seen as a call to embrace Irish culture and traditions, which were often suppressed by British rule.
Overall, "He Hears The Cry Of The Sedge" is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Yeats' poetic genius. Its use of imagery, symbolism, and themes creates a haunting and mystical atmosphere that draws the reader into the world of Irish folklore and mythology. The poem's cultural, spiritual, and political themes make it a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.
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