'Fergus And The Druid' by William Butler Yeats
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{Fergus.} This whole day have I followed in the rocks,
And you have changed and flowed from shape to
shape,
First as a raven on whose ancient wings
Scarcely a feather lingered, then you seemed
A weasel moving on from stone to stone,
And now at last you wear a human shape,
A thin grey man half lost in gathering night.
{Druid.} What would you, king of the proud Red Branch
kings?
{Fergus.} This would I Say, most wise of living souls:
Young subtle Conchubar sat close by me
When I gave judgment, and his words were wise,
And what to me was burden without end,
To him seemed easy, So I laid the crown
Upon his head to cast away my sorrow.
{Druid.} What would you, king of the proud Red Branch
kings?
{Fergus.} A king and proud! and that is my despair.
I feast amid my people on the hill,
And pace the woods, and drive my chariot-wheels
In the white border of the murmuring sea;
And still I feel the crown upon my head
{Druid.} What would you, Fergus?
{Fergus.} Be no more a king
But learn the dreaming wisdom that is yours.
{Druid.} Look on my thin grey hair and hollow cheeks
And on these hands that may not lift the sword,
This body trembling like a wind-blown reed.
No woman's loved me, no man sought my help.
{Fergus.} A king is but a foolish labourer
Who wastes his blood to be another's dream.
{Druid.} Take, if you must, this little bag of dreams;
Unloose the cord, and they will wrap you round.
{Fergus.} I See my life go drifting like a river
From change to change; I have been many things --
A green drop in the surge, a gleam of light
Upon a sword, a fir-tree on a hill,
An old slave grinding at a heavy quern,
A king sitting upon a chair of gold --
And all these things were wonderful and great;
But now I have grown nothing, knowing all.
Ah! Druid, Druid, how great webs of sorrow
Lay hidden in the small slate-coloured thing!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Title: Fergus And The Druid: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
William Butler Yeats is one of the greatest poets of all time, and his works are still relevant today. One of his most famous poems is "Fergus and the Druid." This poem was written in 1892, and it tells the story of Fergus, an Irish king, who encounters a druid. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Themes
The poem "Fergus and the Druid" has several themes that are worth exploring. One of the most prominent themes is the idea of fate and destiny. Throughout the poem, Fergus is constantly reminded that his fate is determined, and he cannot escape it. The druid tells him, "Thou art the king of all the world, / And we the players of this drama." This line shows that Fergus is just a player in the game of life, and his actions are predetermined.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of power and control. Fergus is a king, and he is used to having power and control over his subjects. However, when he encounters the druid, he realizes that he has no control over his fate. The druid tells him, "We play beneath the combat's shade / I gaze upon thy face." This line shows that Fergus is not in control of the situation, and he must submit to the will of the druid.
The third theme in the poem is the idea of regret and nostalgia. Fergus is an old king, and he looks back on his life with regret. He remembers the days when he was young and powerful, but now he is old and weak. The druid tells him, "I have met them at the close of day / Coming with vivid faces / From counter or desk among grey / Eighteenth-century houses." This line shows that Fergus longs for the past, and he is nostalgic for his youth.
Structure
The poem "Fergus and the Druid" is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem has a simple structure, but it is effective in conveying the themes and emotions of the poem.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the characters. Fergus is described as an old king who is tired and weak. The druid is described as an old man who is wise and powerful.
The second stanza focuses on the idea of fate and destiny. The druid tells Fergus that his fate is predetermined, and he cannot escape it. Fergus is reminded that he is just a player in the game of life.
The third stanza focuses on the idea of power and control. Fergus is reminded that he is not in control of the situation, and he must submit to the will of the druid. The druid tells him, "We play beneath the combat's shade / I gaze upon thy face."
The final stanza focuses on the idea of regret and nostalgia. Fergus looks back on his life with regret and wishes he could go back to his youth. The druid tells him, "I have met them at the close of day / Coming with vivid faces / From counter or desk among grey / Eighteenth-century houses." This line shows that Fergus longs for the past and is nostalgic for his youth.
Literary Devices
The poem "Fergus and the Druid" uses several literary devices to convey its themes and emotions. One of the most prominent literary devices is imagery. Yeats uses vivid and descriptive imagery to create a sense of place and atmosphere. For example, in the first stanza, he describes Fergus as "an old man with grey hair." This line creates a visual image of an old and tired king.
Another literary device used in the poem is symbolism. The druid symbolizes wisdom and power, while Fergus symbolizes weakness and regret. The druid represents the forces of fate and destiny, while Fergus represents the human desire for control and power.
The poem also uses repetition to emphasize certain themes and ideas. For example, in the second stanza, the druid repeats the phrase "I play upon the fiddlestick." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and emphasizes the idea of fate and destiny.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Fergus and the Druid" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of fate, power, and regret. The simple structure and effective use of literary devices make this poem a timeless classic. Yeats was a master of poetry, and this poem is a testament to his skill as a writer. If you haven't read "Fergus and the Druid" yet, I highly recommend that you do so. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Fergus And The Druid: A Masterpiece of William Butler Yeats
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 lyrical beauty, symbolism, and mysticism. Among his many masterpieces, "Fergus And The Druid" stands out as a shining example of his poetic genius. This poem, written in 1892, is a haunting and evocative tale of love, loss, and redemption. In this article, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in "Fergus And The Druid" and analyze its significance in the context of Yeats' oeuvre.
The poem tells the story of Fergus, a legendary Irish king who has retired from the world and lives in a forest. One day, he encounters a druid who tells him of a beautiful woman named Niamh who lives in a magical land across the sea. Fergus is enchanted by the druid's description of Niamh and decides to follow him to her land. He leaves behind his kingdom, his wife, and his children, and embarks on a journey that will change his life forever.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the narrative. It describes Fergus as a "man of peace" who has "retired to the greenwood." This image of a king who has given up his worldly possessions and responsibilities to live in nature is a common motif in Celtic mythology. It suggests that Fergus has renounced his power and status in search of a deeper meaning in life. The second stanza introduces the druid, who is described as a "greybeard loon." This image of an old, wise man who possesses magical powers is also a common motif in Celtic mythology. The druid tells Fergus of a land "where nobody gets old and godly and grave," a land of eternal youth and beauty. This land represents a utopia, a perfect world that exists beyond the reach of mortals.
The third stanza describes Fergus' decision to follow the druid to this magical land. He leaves behind his "crown, his sceptre, and his throne" and sets sail across the sea. This act of renunciation is a common theme in Yeats' poetry. It suggests that the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment requires a willingness to let go of material possessions and worldly attachments. The fourth stanza describes Fergus' arrival in the magical land. He is greeted by Niamh, who is described as a "queen of beauty like a flame." This image of a beautiful, radiant woman is a common motif in Yeats' poetry. It represents the ideal of feminine beauty and grace that he often associated with the Celtic goddesses.
The fifth stanza describes Fergus' life in the magical land. He spends his days "in the honey-pale sun," surrounded by "a hundred thousand welcomes." This image of a perfect, idyllic life is a common motif in Yeats' poetry. It represents the ideal of a life free from pain, suffering, and conflict. The sixth stanza describes Fergus' realization that he cannot stay in the magical land forever. He knows that he must return to his own world and face the consequences of his actions. This realization represents a moment of clarity and self-awareness, a common theme in Yeats' poetry.
The seventh stanza describes Fergus' return to his own world. He is greeted by his wife and children, who are "weeping bitter tears." This image of a family torn apart by the actions of one member is a common motif in Yeats' poetry. It represents the idea that the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment often comes at a cost to those around us. The eighth stanza describes Fergus' final moments. He dies "with a wandering dream," his mind still filled with memories of the magical land and Niamh. This image of a man who dies with a dream in his heart is a common motif in Yeats' poetry. It represents the idea that the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment is a lifelong journey that never truly ends.
The themes of "Fergus And The Druid" are universal and timeless. They include the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, the cost of renunciation, the ideal of feminine beauty, and the inevitability of death. The symbols used in the poem, such as the magical land, the druid, and Niamh, are all drawn from Celtic mythology and represent archetypal images that resonate with readers across cultures and generations. The literary devices used in the poem, such as alliteration, repetition, and imagery, create a rich and evocative narrative that captures the reader's imagination and emotions.
In conclusion, "Fergus And The Druid" is a masterpiece of William Butler Yeats' poetry. It is a haunting and evocative tale of love, loss, and redemption that explores universal themes and symbols. Its lyrical beauty, symbolism, and mysticism make it a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and enchant readers today.
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