'Before The World Was Made' by William Butler Yeats
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If I make the lashes dark
And the eyes more bright
And the lips more scarlet,
Or ask if all be right
From mirror after mirror,
No vanity's displayed:
I'm looking for the face I had
Before the world was made.
What if I look upon a man
As though on my beloved,
And my blood be cold the while
And my heart unmoved?
Why should he think me cruel
Or that he is betrayed?
I'd have him love the thing that was
Before the world was made.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Before The World Was Made: A Journey into the Mystical World of Yeats
William Butler Yeats, a Nobel prize-winning poet, is known for his rich and mystical poetry that has captivated readers for generations. His poem "Before The World Was Made" is no exception. In this poem, Yeats takes the reader on a journey into the mystical world of creation myths and the beauty of love.
The Beauty of Love
From the very first line of the poem, Yeats captivates the reader with the beauty of love. He writes, "If I make the lashes dark/ And the eyes more bright/ And the lips more scarlet/ Or ask if all be right/ From mirror after mirror/ No vanity's displayed." These lines suggest that the speaker is trying to make themselves more attractive, but not out of vanity. Rather, it seems that they are doing it out of love. Yeats emphasizes this idea later in the poem when he writes, "And when the folk there spy me/ They will all come up to me/ With 'Here is the fiddler of Dooney!'/ And dance like a wave of the sea."
This idea of love as a transformative force is a common theme in Yeats' poetry. He believed that love had the power to change people and the world around them. In "Before The World Was Made," he explores this idea through the creation myth that he presents.
The Creation Myth
Yeats' creation myth is based on the idea that before the world was created, there was chaos. He writes, "Before the world was made, / Or the stars lit up the sky, / The gods in council laid / A plan to make a world." This idea of chaos before creation is a common theme in creation myths from around the world. It suggests that creation is not just a physical act, but also a spiritual one.
The gods in Yeats' myth are not the traditional gods of Greek or Roman mythology. Instead, they are more like the Celtic gods that Yeats was fascinated with. He writes, "The gods, that were old and strong, / They toiled and wrought and made / The world that lives in song." This idea of the gods as creators is a common theme in Celtic mythology. It suggests that creation is not just a physical act, but also a spiritual one.
The Role of the Fiddler
Throughout the poem, the fiddler is a central figure. He is the one who brings music to the world and creates order out of chaos. Yeats writes, "When the fiddler plays all through the night / Till the dawn of day and the world is right." This idea of music as a transformative force is also a common theme in Yeats' poetry.
The fiddler is not just a musician, he is also a symbol of the creative force. He is the one who brings order to the chaos of the world. Yeats writes, "And the world's a hornbook, / Lost, leafless mind: / Then when men would build their homes / In the leafy shelter, / All things pass / Save the fiddler stood / On the leafless lawn alone." This idea of the fiddler as a solitary figure is also a common theme in Yeats' poetry.
The Importance of Mythology
One of the most important themes in Yeats' poetry is the importance of mythology. In "Before The World Was Made," he uses mythology to explore the themes of love, creation, and transformation. By using myths and legends from around the world, Yeats is able to create a rich tapestry of ideas that resonate with readers.
Yeats believed that mythology was not just a collection of stories from the past, but also a living force that could transform the present. He writes, "For the gods are dead, / And the faithful gone, / And the words of the wise / And the dreams of the strong / Are one in the wind's song." This idea of mythology as a living force is also a common theme in Yeats' poetry.
Conclusion
"Before The World Was Made" is a mystical and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of love, creation, and transformation. By using mythology and symbolism, Yeats is able to create a rich tapestry of ideas that resonate with readers. The fiddler is a central figure in the poem, symbolizing the creative force that brings order to the chaos of the world. Yeats believed that mythology was not just a collection of stories from the past, but also a living force that could transform the present. Through this poem, he invites us to explore the mysteries of creation and the power of love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Before The World Was Made: An Analysis of William Butler Yeats' Masterpiece
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry Before The World Was Made stands out as a hauntingly beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of existence, love, and mortality. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and analyze its themes, imagery, and symbolism to gain a deeper understanding of Yeats' vision.
The poem begins with a striking image of the speaker and his lover standing on a hill, looking out at the world before it was created. The speaker declares that they were "the first of all our kind" and that they existed "before the first of stars were made." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of existence and the human condition.
One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of pre-existence. The speaker and his lover are portrayed as existing before the world was created, which suggests that they are somehow outside of time and space. This idea is reinforced by the image of the "uncreated moon" and the "unseen sun," which suggest that there are other things that exist beyond our understanding of the world. The speaker also declares that they "were the lovers of each other's soul," which suggests a deep spiritual connection that transcends the physical world.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of love. The speaker and his lover are portrayed as being deeply in love, and their love is described in terms of a spiritual connection that transcends the physical world. The speaker declares that they "loved in the old high way of love," which suggests that their love is timeless and eternal. This idea is reinforced by the image of the "uncreated moon," which suggests that their love existed before the world was created and will continue to exist long after it is gone.
The poem also explores the theme of mortality. The speaker declares that they "shall never die," which suggests that they are somehow immortal. However, this immortality is not physical but spiritual, as the speaker declares that they will "live on in the minds of men." This idea is reinforced by the image of the "unseen sun," which suggests that there are other things that exist beyond our understanding of the world and that our existence is not limited to the physical realm.
The imagery in the poem is rich and evocative, and it reinforces the themes of the poem. The image of the "uncreated moon" and the "unseen sun" suggest that there are other things that exist beyond our understanding of the world, while the image of the "old high way of love" suggests that love is timeless and eternal. The image of the "hill" suggests a place of spiritual significance, while the image of the "first of stars" suggests the beginning of time and space.
The poem also makes use of symbolism to reinforce its themes. The speaker and his lover are portrayed as being outside of time and space, which suggests that they are somehow transcendent. This idea is reinforced by the image of the "uncreated moon" and the "unseen sun," which suggest that there are other things that exist beyond our understanding of the world. The image of the "old high way of love" suggests that love is timeless and eternal, while the image of the "hill" suggests a place of spiritual significance.
In conclusion, Poetry Before The World Was Made is a hauntingly beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of existence, love, and mortality. The poem's themes of pre-existence, love, and mortality are reinforced by its rich imagery and symbolism, which suggest that there are other things that exist beyond our understanding of the world and that our existence is not limited to the physical realm. Yeats' vision is both profound and inspiring, and his words continue to resonate with readers to this day.
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