'The Apparitions' by William Butler Yeats
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Because there is safety in derision
I talked about an apparition,
I took no trouble to convince,
Or seem plausible to a man of sense.
Distrustful of thar popular eye
Whether it be bold or sly.
Fifteen apparitions have I seen;
The worst a coat upon a coat-hanger.
I have found nothing half so good
As my long-planned half solitude,
Where I can sit up half the night
With some friend that has the wit
Not to allow his looks to tell
When I am unintelligible.
Fifteen apparitions have I seen;
The worst a coat upon a coat-hanger.
When a man grows old his joy
Grows more deep day after day,
His empty heart is full at length,
But he has need of all that strength
Because of the increasing Night
That opens her mystery and fright.
Fifteen apparitions have I seen;
The worst a coat upon a coat-hanger.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "The Apparitions" by W.B. Yeats
Oh, what a delight it is to delve into the world of William Butler Yeats and his poetic masterpieces! His poems are like a treasure trove of hidden meanings and symbolism, waiting to be unearthed and savored by avid readers and literary critics alike. One such poem that stands out for its cryptic imagery and eerie atmosphere is "The Apparitions," first published in 1917. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the poem's themes, symbols, and language, and try to unravel its hidden meanings and messages.
About the Poem
"The Apparitions" is a poem of twelve stanzas, each consisting of four lines, and written in the form of a ballad. The poem tells the story of a man who witnesses three apparitions, one after the other, in the dead of the night. The first apparition is that of a hag, who appears with a "cloak covered head to foot," and beckons the man to follow her. The second apparition is that of a young girl, who appears with "apple-blossom in her hair," and sings a song that speaks of love and longing. The third and final apparition is that of a soldier, who appears with a "redcoat and a battered hat," and warns the man of an impending war.
The Themes
One of the central themes of "The Apparitions" is that of death and the afterlife. The three apparitions can be seen as representations of different stages of life and death. The hag, with her cloak-covered head, can be seen as a symbol of old age and impending death. The young girl, with her apple-blossom hair, can be seen as a symbol of youth and life. The soldier, with his redcoat and battered hat, can be seen as a symbol of war and violence, which often leads to death.
Another theme that runs through the poem is that of fate and destiny. The man in the poem is helpless in the face of the apparitions, as if he is fated to witness them. This is evident in the lines, "I could not choose but follow / Wherever the hag might go." The man is also warned of an impending war, which he cannot prevent or change, as if he is destined to witness it.
Love and loss are also recurring themes in the poem. The young girl's song speaks of love and longing, and her appearance can be seen as a reminder of the man's lost love. The soldier's warning of war can also be seen as a reminder of the loss and destruction that war brings.
The Symbols
Yeats is known for his use of symbolism, and "The Apparitions" is no exception. The hag, with her cloak-covered head, can be seen as a symbol of death and decay. Her appearance is a reminder of the inevitable end that awaits us all. The young girl, with her apple-blossom hair, can be seen as a symbol of life and youth. Her appearance is a reminder of what the man has lost and what he longs for. The soldier, with his redcoat and battered hat, can be seen as a symbol of war and violence. His appearance is a warning of the destruction and loss that war brings.
The apple blossom is another important symbol in the poem. It is a symbol of love and innocence, and its appearance in the young girl's hair is a reminder of what the man has lost. The fact that the girl sings a song about love and longing while wearing the apple blossom in her hair only reinforces its symbolic significance.
The Language
Yeats's use of language in "The Apparitions" is masterful. The poem is written in a simple, ballad form, which adds to its eerie atmosphere. The repetition of the phrase "followed her" in the first stanza reinforces the idea of fate and destiny, as if the man has no choice but to follow the hag. The use of alliteration in the line "And apple-blossom in her hair" adds a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes the symbolic significance of the apple blossom.
The use of rhyme in the poem is also noteworthy. The rhyme scheme of abab adds to the poem's simplicity and ballad-like quality, while also providing a sense of closure at the end of each stanza. The last stanza, in particular, stands out for its use of rhyme and repetition: "And thereon the cock crew / And we rose up to go; / And at her lifting finger / We hurried in the dawn."
Conclusion
William Butler Yeats's "The Apparitions" is a haunting and enigmatic poem that explores themes of death, fate, love, and loss through its symbolic imagery and masterful use of language. The three apparitions can be seen as representations of different stages of life and death, while the apple blossom is a symbol of love and innocence. The rhyme scheme and repetition throughout the poem add to its eerie atmosphere and emphasize the central themes and symbols. Overall, "The Apparitions" is a masterful example of Yeats's poetic genius and a testament to the enduring power of his work.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Apparitions: A Haunting Poem by William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their depth, complexity, and haunting beauty. Among his many great poems, The Apparitions stands out as a masterpiece of supernatural imagery and psychological insight.
The Apparitions is a poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. It is a haunting and eerie work that draws the reader into a world of ghosts, spirits, and otherworldly beings. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which presents a different vision of the afterlife.
The first stanza of the poem describes a world of darkness and despair. The speaker describes a place where the dead are trapped in a state of eternal suffering. The imagery in this stanza is vivid and disturbing, with references to "the worm that flies in the night" and "the bat that flits at close of eve." The speaker also describes the dead as "shadows that cling to the cold" and "phantoms that haunt the dim void."
The second stanza of the poem presents a different vision of the afterlife. Here, the speaker describes a world of light and beauty. The dead are no longer trapped in darkness, but are free to roam the earth as spirits. The imagery in this stanza is much more positive, with references to "the silver apples of the moon" and "the golden apples of the sun." The speaker also describes the spirits as "bright shadows" and "fairies of the wood."
The third and final stanza of the poem brings the two previous visions of the afterlife together. The speaker describes a world where the dead are caught between darkness and light, between despair and hope. The imagery in this stanza is both beautiful and haunting, with references to "the dim twilight" and "the pale stars." The speaker also describes the dead as "wandering spirits" and "ghosts of the dead."
The Apparitions is a poem that is rich in symbolism and metaphor. The darkness and despair of the first stanza can be seen as a metaphor for the fear of death and the unknown. The light and beauty of the second stanza can be seen as a metaphor for the hope of an afterlife and the possibility of transcendence. The third stanza, with its mixture of darkness and light, can be seen as a metaphor for the ambiguity and uncertainty of the afterlife.
One of the most striking aspects of The Apparitions is its use of language. Yeats was a master of language, and his poetry is known for its musicality and rhythm. The Apparitions is no exception, with its use of alliteration, assonance, and other poetic devices. The poem is also notable for its use of repetition, with certain phrases and images repeated throughout the three stanzas. This repetition gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence, and helps to reinforce its themes and motifs.
Another important aspect of The Apparitions is its use of imagery. Yeats was a poet who was deeply influenced by the occult and the supernatural, and his poetry is full of images of ghosts, spirits, and otherworldly beings. The Apparitions is no exception, with its vivid descriptions of the afterlife and the spirits that inhabit it. The imagery in the poem is both beautiful and haunting, and helps to create a sense of mystery and wonder.
In conclusion, The Apparitions is a haunting and beautiful poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. It is a work that is rich in symbolism, metaphor, and imagery, and that showcases Yeats' mastery of language and poetic form. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke deep emotions and to explore the mysteries of the human experience.
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