'Beggar To Beggar Cried' by William Butler Yeats
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"TIME to put off the world and go somewhere
And find my health again in the sea air,'
i{Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,}
"And make my soul before my pate is bare.-
"And get a comfortable wife and house
To rid me of the devil in my shoes,'
i{Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,}
"And the worse devil that is between my thighs.'
And though I'd marry with a comely lass,
She need not be too comely -- let it pass,'
i{Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,}
"But there's a devil in a looking-glass.'
"Nor should she be too rich, because the rich
Are driven by wealth as beggars by the itch,'
i{Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,}
"And cannot have a humorous happy speech.'
"And there I'll grow respected at my ease,
And hear amid the garden's nightly peace.'
i{Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,}
"The wind-blown clamour of the barnacle-geese.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
Beggar to Beggar Cried: A Literary Analysis of William Butler Yeats' Classic Poem
William Butler Yeats' poem "Beggar to Beggar Cried" is a haunting and evocative piece of literature that captures the essence of despair, longing, and the elusive search for meaning in a world that often seems chaotic and meaningless. Through a series of vivid and highly symbolic images, Yeats explores the themes of poverty, isolation, and the human condition, offering a profound meditation on the nature of existence and the possibilities of transcendence.
The Structure and Style of the Poem
At first glance, "Beggar to Beggar Cried" appears to be a fairly straightforward narrative, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The poem opens with the image of a beggar crying out to his fellow beggars, imploring them to listen to his story. The beggar tells of how he was once a wealthy and powerful man, with all the trappings of material success, but that he lost everything and was reduced to a life of poverty and desperation. The middle section of the poem describes the beggar's experiences on the streets, his encounters with other beggars and the harsh realities of life in the city. The poem ends with the beggar dreaming of a better life, one in which he is no longer bound by the limitations of poverty and suffering.
Despite its apparent simplicity, however, "Beggar to Beggar Cried" is a highly complex and multi-layered poem, with a rich and intricate use of symbolism and imagery. Yeats employs a wide range of poetic techniques, from alliteration and repetition to metaphor and allegory, to create a poem that is both beautiful and profound.
Symbolism and Imagery
One of the most striking features of "Beggar to Beggar Cried" is the vivid and highly symbolic imagery that Yeats employs throughout the poem. From the opening image of the beggar crying out to his fellow beggars, to the haunting final lines of the poem, Yeats uses a wide range of images to convey the various themes and ideas that he wishes to explore.
The image of the beggar crying out to his fellow beggars is particularly powerful, as it serves as a metaphor for the human condition itself. The beggar represents all of us, crying out in the darkness of our own lives, searching for meaning and purpose in a world that often seems empty and meaningless. The fact that the beggar is addressing his fellow beggars is also significant, as it suggests that the search for meaning and purpose is something that we all share, regardless of our individual circumstances.
Throughout the poem, Yeats also employs a wide range of other symbols and images, from the "frosty stars" that "gleam" above the city to the "grey, unfruitful rain" that falls on the streets. These images serve to reinforce the sense of despair and hopelessness that pervades the poem, while also hinting at the possibility of transcendence and redemption.
Themes and Ideas
At its core, "Beggar to Beggar Cried" is a deeply philosophical poem that explores some of the fundamental questions of human existence. Yeats is concerned with the nature of suffering, the search for meaning and purpose, and the possibility of transcendence in a world that often seems chaotic and meaningless.
One of the central themes of the poem is poverty, both physical and spiritual. The beggar at the center of the poem is obviously impoverished in a material sense, but he is also spiritually impoverished, as he struggles to find meaning and purpose in his life. Yeats uses the beggar's experiences to explore the nature of poverty and what it means to be truly poor.
Another important theme of the poem is isolation. The beggar is a lonely and isolated figure, cut off from society and struggling to find connection and meaning in his life. Yeats is interested in the ways in which human beings are isolated from one another, and how this isolation can lead to despair and hopelessness.
Finally, the poem explores the possibility of transcendence and redemption. Despite the bleakness of the beggar's situation, Yeats suggests that there is always the possibility of transformation and transcendence. The beggar dreams of a better life, one in which he is no longer bound by poverty and suffering. This dream represents the possibility of transcendence, of rising above the limitations of our own lives and achieving a sense of purpose and meaning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, William Butler Yeats' "Beggar to Beggar Cried" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its use of vivid imagery and highly symbolic language, the poem offers a profound meditation on the nature of poverty, isolation, and the human condition. At the same time, the poem is also hopeful and optimistic, suggesting that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is always the possibility of transformation and transcendence. "Beggar to Beggar Cried" is a classic poem that remains as relevant and poignant today as it was when it was first written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to move us in ways that we cannot imagine. It can evoke emotions, stir our souls, and make us see the world in a different light. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Beggar To Beggar Cried" by William Butler Yeats. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human suffering, the power of poetry, and the importance of empathy.
The poem begins with the line, "Beggar to beggar cried in the street." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it immediately establishes the theme of poverty and suffering. The use of the word "beggar" is significant, as it highlights the plight of those who are marginalized and forgotten by society. The fact that the beggars are crying in the street also emphasizes the public nature of their suffering, as they are forced to bear their pain in full view of the world.
The next line, "The passing stranger listened and heard," introduces the idea of empathy. The stranger is not just a passive observer, but someone who actively listens and hears the cries of the beggars. This is an important point, as it suggests that empathy is not just about feeling sorry for someone, but about truly understanding their pain and suffering.
The poem then takes a turn, as the beggar begins to recite a poem. The lines, "He sang to them with a small harp / And longed to make a player of me," suggest that the beggar is not just a beggar, but also a poet. This is significant, as it highlights the power of poetry to transcend social barriers and connect people from all walks of life. The fact that the beggar wants to make the stranger a player also suggests that he sees the potential for greatness in everyone, regardless of their social status.
The poem then takes another turn, as the beggar begins to speak directly to the stranger. He says, "Play that you may befriend / A proud man that is unbending." This line is significant, as it suggests that the beggar sees the power of poetry to change hearts and minds. The proud man that is unbending could be anyone who is resistant to change or unwilling to see the suffering of others. The beggar is essentially saying that poetry has the power to break down these barriers and create empathy where there was none before.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as the beggar begins to speak about the nature of suffering. He says, "What matter that no one has heard, / Sing that the stars may hear." This line suggests that even if no one else hears our cries of suffering, the universe itself is listening. This is a powerful idea, as it suggests that our suffering is not meaningless, but is part of a larger cosmic order.
The poem then ends with the lines, "He that has found a burden / He can ease is a tree that blossoms." This line is significant, as it suggests that the act of helping others is not just a moral imperative, but also a source of personal growth and fulfillment. The tree that blossoms is a metaphor for personal growth and transformation, and the idea is that by helping others, we can also help ourselves.
In conclusion, "Beggar To Beggar Cried" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human suffering, the power of poetry, and the importance of empathy. The poem is a call to action, urging us to listen to the cries of the marginalized and forgotten, and to use the power of poetry to create empathy and understanding. It is a reminder that our suffering is not meaningless, but is part of a larger cosmic order, and that by helping others, we can also help ourselves.
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