'Blood And The Moon' by William Butler Yeats

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BLESSED be this place,
More blessed still this tower;
A bloody, arrogant power
Rose out of the race
Uttering, mastering it,
Rose like these walls from these
Storm-beaten cottages --
In mockery I have set
A powerful emblem up,
And sing it rhyme upon rhyme
In mockery of a time
HaIf dead at the top.
Alexandria's was a beacon tower, and Babylon's
An image of the moving heavens, a log-book of the
sun's journey and the moon's;
And Shelley had his towers, thought's crowned powers
he called them once.
I declare this tower is my symbol; I declare
This winding, gyring, spiring treadmill of a stair is my
ancestral stair;
That Goldsmith and the Dean, Berkeley and Burke
have travelled there.
Swift beating on his breast in sibylline frenzy blind
Because the heart in his blood-sodden breast had
dragged him down into mankind,
Goldsmith deliberately sipping at the honey-pot of his
mind,
And haughtier-headed Burke that proved the State a
tree,
That this unconquerable labyrinth of the birds, cen-
tury after century,
Cast but dead leaves to mathematical equality;
And God-appointed Berkeley that proved all things a
dream,
That this pragmatical, preposterous pig of a world, its
farrow that so solid seem,
Must vanish on the instant if the mind but change its
theme;
i{Saeva Indignatio} and the labourer's hire,
The strength that gives our blood and state magnani-
mity of its own desire;
Everything that is not God consumed with intellectual
fire.
III
The purity of the unclouded moon
Has flung its atrowy shaft upon the floor.
Seven centuries have passed and it is pure,
The blood of innocence has left no stain.
There, on blood-saturated ground, have stood
Soldier, assassin, executioner.
Whether for daily pittance or in blind fear
Or out of abstract hatred, and shed blood,
But could not cast a single jet thereon.
Odour of blood on the ancestral stair!
And we that have shed none must gather there
And clamour in drunken frenzy for the moon.

IV
Upon the dusty, glittering windows cling,
And seem to cling upon the moonlit skies,
Tortoiseshell butterflies, peacock butterflies,
A couple of night-moths are on the wing.
Is every modern nation like the tower,
Half dead at the top? No matter what I said,
For wisdom is the property of the dead,
A something incompatible with life; and power,
Like everything that has the stain of blood,
A property of the living; but no stain
Can come upon the visage of the moon
When it has looked in glory from a cloud.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Blood And The Moon by William Butler Yeats

Introduction

William Butler Yeats, an Irish poet, is considered to be one of the finest poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their complex and mystical themes, and his use of symbolism and mythology. One of his notable works is the poem "Blood And The Moon," which was first published in 1921 in the collection "Michael Robartes and the Dancer."

"Blood And The Moon" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores Yeats' fascination with the Irish mythological figure Cuchulain, and his love for Ireland. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbolism, and use of language in the poem, and uncover Yeats' intentions in writing it.

Themes

The poem "Blood And The Moon" is rich in themes, including the cycles of life and death, the search for identity, and the relationship between the individual and the community. One of the most prominent themes is Yeats' love for his homeland and his belief in its rich cultural heritage.

Yeats uses the character of Cuchulain to symbolize Ireland, and the poem is a reflection of his fear that Ireland is losing its cultural identity. The imagery of the "old men driven mad with the injustice of the new" reflects Yeats' belief that the traditional ways of life are being swept away by modernization and industrialization.

Another central theme in the poem is the struggle between the individual and the community. Yeats uses the image of the "great moon" to symbolize the collective consciousness of society, while the "blood-dimmed tide" represents the individual's struggle to find their own identity amidst the chaos of society.

Symbolism

Yeats' use of symbolism in "Blood And The Moon" is masterful and adds depth and complexity to the poem. The character of Cuchulain represents Ireland, and his journey through the poem symbolizes the journey of the Irish people. The "great moon" represents society, while the "blood-dimmed tide" represents the individual's struggle to find meaning in their own life.

The imagery of the "old men driven mad with the injustice of the new" represents the conflict between tradition and modernity, while the "wolves" and "hounds" represent the forces of chaos and destruction that threaten the stability of society.

The imagery of the "dissolving phantoms" and "foul rag-and-bone shop of the heart" represent the decay of moral values in society. Yeats uses the image of the "wandering herd of cattle" to symbolize the loss of direction and purpose in society.

Use of Language

Yeats' use of language in "Blood And The Moon" is poetic and evocative. His use of a repetitive, rhythmic structure creates an almost hypnotic effect, drawing the reader into the poem's themes and symbolism.

He uses vivid imagery, such as "the great moon hung up in the air like a mystery," to create a sense of wonder and awe. His use of metaphor and personification is also powerful, such as the image of the "old men driven mad with the injustice of the new," which creates a sense of anger and frustration.

Yeats also employs alliteration, such as "blood-dimmed tide," to create a musical quality in the poem. The use of archaic language, such as "foul rag-and-bone shop of the heart," adds a sense of timelessness and universality to the poem.

Interpretation

"Blood And The Moon" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many ways. At its core, the poem is about Yeats' love for Ireland and his fear that it is losing its cultural identity.

The character of Cuchulain represents Ireland, and his journey through the poem symbolizes the journey of the Irish people. The "great moon" represents society, while the "blood-dimmed tide" represents the individual's struggle to find meaning in their own life.

Overall, "Blood And The Moon" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of identity, community, and cultural heritage. Yeats' use of symbolism and language creates a sense of wonder and awe, drawing the reader into the poem's themes and imagery. It is a testament to Yeats' skill as a poet and his love for his homeland.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Blood and the Moon: A Poetic Masterpiece by William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their deep symbolism, mysticism, and romanticism. Among his many masterpieces, "Blood and the Moon" stands out as a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Yeats' poetic vision.

The poem was written in 1928 and was published in Yeats' collection "The Tower" in 1929. It is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of history, myth, and the cyclical nature of life. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which presents a different aspect of the central theme.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and introduces the central image of the blood and the moon. The opening lines, "Blessed be this place, / More blessed still this tower," suggest a sense of reverence and awe for the location where the poem is set. The tower is a symbol of strength and stability, and it represents the continuity of human history. The use of the word "blessed" also suggests a religious or spiritual dimension to the poem.

The second line, "A bloody, arrogant power rose out of the race," introduces the theme of history and the cyclical nature of human civilization. The "bloody, arrogant power" refers to the rise of the British Empire, which Yeats saw as a manifestation of the destructive forces of history. The phrase "out of the race" suggests that this power emerged from the collective consciousness of the British people, and that it was a product of their cultural and historical identity.

The image of the blood and the moon is introduced in the third line, "The ghost of beauty walked the tower." This line is rich in symbolism, as it suggests that the tower is haunted by the memory of a lost beauty. The "ghost of beauty" represents the ideal of human civilization, which has been corrupted and destroyed by the forces of history. The blood and the moon are also symbolic, as they represent the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of death and rebirth.

The second stanza of the poem explores the theme of myth and the power of the imagination. The opening lines, "We still, for pride, / Debate where the sly / Winkers have gone," suggest that the speaker is reflecting on the myths and legends of the past. The phrase "for pride" suggests that the speaker takes pride in his cultural heritage and that he sees the myths and legends of his people as a source of strength and inspiration.

The image of the moon is developed further in the second stanza, as the speaker describes how the moon "has nothing now to spend / But beauty and the moon." This line suggests that the moon has lost its power and that it is now only capable of reflecting the beauty of the world around it. The moon is also symbolic of the imagination, which has the power to create beauty and to transcend the limitations of the physical world.

The third stanza of the poem brings together the themes of history, myth, and the cyclical nature of life. The opening lines, "May God be praised for woman / That gives up all her mind," suggest that the speaker is reflecting on the role of women in human history. The phrase "gives up all her mind" suggests that women have traditionally been marginalized and oppressed by the forces of history, but that they have also played a vital role in shaping the course of human civilization.

The final lines of the poem, "And man, and soldier, / The heron-footed sacred lover," suggest that the speaker sees the cyclical nature of life as a source of hope and renewal. The heron-footed sacred lover is a reference to the ancient Greek god Hermes, who was associated with fertility, rebirth, and the cycle of life. The image of the heron-footed lover suggests that the speaker sees the cycle of life as a sacred and mystical process, and that he believes in the possibility of renewal and regeneration.

In conclusion, "Blood and the Moon" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Yeats' poetic vision. The poem explores themes of history, myth, and the cyclical nature of life, and it uses rich symbolism and imagery to convey its message. The poem is a testament to Yeats' mastery of language and his ability to evoke deep emotions and ideas through his poetry.

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