William Butler Yeats (Leaving Cert English): Model Answers

'Yeats explores deep issues in an honest and sensitive way.'

Yeats, without a doubt, mindfully handles various complex issues. His poetry is saturated with descriptive and thought-provoking imagery that explores personal and public issues in an extremely raw and honest manner. Yeats' Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923 is a testament to his extraordinary writing style and proves the universal appeal of his art. Yeats is not just a literary figure but also a patriotic poet who loved his country and highlighted this through his political poems. The poems which best represent how he explored deep issues are The Lake Isle of Innisfree, Sailing to Byzantium, Easter 1916, September 1913, An Irish Airman Foresees His Death, and The Wild Swans at Coole.

In Yeats' 1888 poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree, he describes his idea of a pastoral utopia, an intimate insight into his psyche. Yeats claims he will "arise and go now and go to Innisfree," where his existence would be idyllic, sustained by the "nine bean-rows" and the "hive for the honeybee." At the time, the poet lived in London, surrounded by the "pavements grey," and longed to escape—a universal desire for people since the 19th century. Yeats further explores the theme of belonging by creating this lyrical poem with an almost musical effect, adding to the dreamlike ambience. Yeats employs hexameter to slow down the poem, encouraging readers to join him in his quest to escape London's dark and dreary streets for the soothing and serene island of Innisfree. The poet engages our senses with assonance and alliteration, such as in "lake water lapping," to provide every detail of this utopia, effectively exploring the theme of escapism.

In The Wild Swans at Coole, Yeats details his struggle with loneliness. Written in 1916, shortly after he proposed to the recently widowed Maud Gonne and was rejected, this personal experience likely inspired the poem. In the first stanza, he describes the beautiful autumn twilight at Coole Park, noting the "brimming water" that "mirrors a still sky." The poet reflects on how "the nineteenth autumn has come" upon him while the "nine and fifty swans" remain unchanged, unlike himself. Watching the swans "mount and scatter, wheeling in great broken rings," he becomes envious of them. The swans embody everything Yeats lacks: freedom, passion, and, most importantly, a lover. "Unwearied still, lover by lover," "Their hearts have not grown old," unlike Yeats. The contrast between the swans and Yeats highlights his heartache and solitude honestly.

Additionally, Yeats explores the emotional journey of ageing honestly. Sailing to Byzantium delves into Yeats' acceptance of old age and his appreciation of art. This poem contrasts with The Wild Swans at Coole, as Yeats finally embraces ageing and the inescapable life cycle. Like The Lake Isle of Innisfree, Yeats uses nature to depict the theme of growing old. "That is no country for old men. The young in one another's arms" expresses his envy of youth. "Flesh, fish, or fowl commend all summer long"—Yeats no longer sees himself as sexually attractive and regretfully looks back on his life, wondering why he never enjoyed it as the current youth does. Yeats' quest for immortality is a universal feeling in this poem. Once again, we see his honest insight into escapism and the longing to live forever. "An aged man is but a paltry thing, a tattered coat upon a stick," Yeats acknowledges his ageing, and, unlike in previous poems, he accepts it. "Be the singing-masters of my soul," he refers to a beautiful mosaic in Byzantium (modern-day Istanbul) of two sages. Yeats desires these sages to become the "masters" of his soul so he can live forever through the arts.

Yeats also delicately explores deeper issues of war, violence, and suffering in his political poems. In An Irish Airman Foresees His Death, Yeats tells the story of his dear friend's son, Robert Gregory, an Irishman enlisted in the RAF. Robert was 34, with three children, and heir to the Coole Park estate. In this poem, Yeats questions why an Irishman would want to be associated with the Royal Air Force, fighting for the Queen. Although Yeats was a proud Irishman, he did not believe violence was the solution, as is evident throughout the poem. "Those that I fight I do not hate, those that I guard I do not love"—Gregory didn't join the RAF out of loyalty to the English; he did it because he loved flying. With 19 air battle victories in World War I, Yeats understands why Gregory chose to continue flying. "Nor law, nor duty bade me fight, nor public men, nor cheering crowds," Gregory fought not out of obligation but for "a lonely impulse of delight." This oxymoron suggests the joy he derived from flying and the inevitable loneliness. The poem, an elegy written from Robert's perspective, gives insight into the mind of someone resigned to dying in war. "I balanced all, brought all to mind...In balance with this life, this death" is a poignant reflexion on the tragedy of war and its toll on brilliant, innocent lives.

Nuanced comments on class issues are seen in Yeats' poetry. In September 1913, Yeats criticised the greedy businessmen of Dublin. "Fumble in a greasy till... and prayer to shivering prayer, until you have dried the marrow from the bone" conveys how these businessmen exploit the traditions of Christianity, engaging in insincere praying and creating a facade of piety. Yeats mourns the loss of Ireland's true heroes, stating, "Romantic Ireland's dead and gone, it's with O'Leary in the grave." "For this that all that blood was shed"—he expresses frustration that the sacrifice of Ireland's heroes has been reduced to a nation of greed and disloyalty. In the final stanza, Yeats laments the loss of passion and goals for Ireland, romanticising the possibility of a united, passionate Ireland in the future—a sentiment shared by many Irish citizens, especially the rebels who would later instigate a rebellion.

The follow-up to September 1913 is Easter 1916. In contrast, this poem shows Yeats' surprise at the passion and devotion of the Irish people during the Rising, as they were willing to fight and die for their country. "I have passed with a nod of the head or polite meaningless words...a mocking tale or gibe to please a companion around the fire at the club" expresses Yeats' regret for once mocking these rebels, ordinary people who "wore motley" and then "changed utterly" when "a terrible beauty is born." Yeats mentions key figures from the Rising, including Constance Markievicz, Padraig Pearse, and John MacBride. Even in referring to MacBride as a "drunken, vainglorious lout," Yeats still respects the man for sacrificing himself for Ireland's cause. The stone metaphor, "Hearts with one purpose alone...seem enchanted to a stone," symbolises the rebels' unwavering determination for Ireland's freedom. When he asks, "O when may it suffice?" Yeats wonders if the violence of the rebellion was justified and questions if it was worth the sacrifice, a sentiment shared by many grieving Irish families. Was it needless death after all? For England may keep faith for all that is done and said." This sensitive poem reflects Yeats' emotional conflict as he oscillates between joy, sorrow, and respect for the rebels, making it one of his most nuanced and emotional works.

In conclusion, Yeats has demonstrated his ability to explore deep issues in a sensitive and honest manner. He conveys a wide range of universal emotions uniquely and personally, drawing readers into his world. His ability to explore themes such as escapism, regret, hopelessness, love, desire, and passion has resonated for over a century and still holds viable social commentary and relatable personal insights. The poems I have studied and mentioned above clearly show how Yeats can explore various issues authentically and delicately.