'Solomon And The Witch' by William Butler Yeats


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And thus declared that Arab lady:
'Last night, where under the wild moon
On grassy mattress I had laid me,
Within my arms great Solomon,
I suddenly cried out in a strange tongue
Not his, not mine.'
Who understood
Whatever has been said, sighed, sung,
Howled, miau-d, barked, brayed, belled, yelled, cried, crowed,
Thereon replied: 'A cockerel
Crew from a blossoming apple bough
Three hundred years before the Fall,
And never crew again till now,
And would not now but that he thought,
Chance being at one with Choice at last,
All that the brigand apple brought
And this foul world were dead at last.
He that crowed out eternity
Thought to have crowed it in again.
For though love has a spider's eye
To find out some appropriate pain -
Aye, though all passion's in the glance -
For every nerve, and tests a lover
With cruelties of Choice and Chance;
And when at last that murder's over
Maybe the bride-bed brings despair,
For each an imagined image brings
And finds a real image there;
Yet the world ends when these two things,
Though several, are a single light,
When oil and wick are burned in one;
Therefore a blessed moon last night
Gave Sheba to her Solomon.'
'Yet the world stays.'
'If that be so,
Your cockerel found us in the wrong
Although he thought it. worth a crow.
Maybe an image is too strong
Or maybe is not strong enough.'

'The night has fallen; not a sound
In the forbidden sacred grove
Unless a petal hit the ground,
Nor any human sight within it
But the crushed grass where we have lain!
And the moon is wilder every minute.
O! Solomon! let us try again.'

Editor 1 Interpretation

Solomon and The Witch: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you ready to dive into the enchanting world of William Butler Yeats? Get ready to be taken away by his captivating poem, Solomon and The Witch. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and language used by Yeats in this classic poem.

Introduction

Solomon and The Witch is a poem written by William Butler Yeats, an Irish poet, and playwright. The poem is part of Yeats' early work, and it was written in 1886 when he was only 21 years old. The poem tells the story of King Solomon, who, with the help of a witch, builds his temple in Jerusalem.

Background

To fully understand the poem, we need to have some background information about King Solomon. In the Bible, King Solomon is known for his wisdom, wealth, and building of the first temple in Jerusalem. According to the Bible, Solomon was visited by a witch who helped him build the temple by providing him with a magical stone that he used to mark the building blocks.

Themes

One of the themes explored in the poem is the power of knowledge. King Solomon is known for his wisdom, and in the poem, he uses this wisdom to build the temple. The witch, on the other hand, provides Solomon with the tools he needs to build the temple. This theme is significant in Yeats' work, as he believed that knowledge was the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe.

Another theme explored in the poem is the power of magic. The witch provides Solomon with a magical stone that he uses to build the temple. This theme is significant in Yeats' work, as he was interested in the occult and mysticism.

Symbols

The poem is filled with symbols that add depth to the story. One of the symbols used in the poem is the magical stone. The stone represents the power of magic and how it can be used to create something great. The stone is also a symbol of the knowledge that the witch possesses.

Another symbol used in the poem is the temple. The temple represents the culmination of Solomon's wisdom and the power of knowledge. The temple is a symbol of the greatness that can be achieved with knowledge and magic.

Language

Yeats' use of language in the poem is crucial in conveying the themes and symbols in the poem. One example of this is the use of imagery. Yeats uses vivid imagery to describe the witch and her magical stone. The use of imagery adds depth to the story and helps the reader visualize the scene.

Another example of Yeats' use of language is his use of repetition. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "the witch's hair" and "the magical stone," adds emphasis to these symbols and helps the reader understand their significance.

Interpretation

Solomon and The Witch is a poem that explores the power of knowledge and magic. King Solomon is known for his wisdom, and in the poem, he uses this wisdom to build the temple. The witch provides Solomon with the tools he needs to build the temple, representing the power of magic. The poem is filled with symbols, such as the magical stone and the temple, that add depth to the story.

Yeats' use of language in the poem is crucial in conveying the themes and symbols in the poem. The use of imagery and repetition adds depth to the story and helps the reader understand the significance of the symbols.

Overall, Solomon and The Witch is a captivating poem that explores themes and symbols that are significant in Yeats' work. It is a testament to his interest in the occult and mysticism and his belief in the power of knowledge and magic.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Solomon And The Witch: A Tale of Magic and Wisdom

William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, was known for his profound understanding of Irish mythology and folklore. His poem, "Solomon And The Witch," is a classic example of his ability to weave together ancient tales with modern themes. This poem is a fascinating exploration of the power of magic, the importance of wisdom, and the dangers of temptation.

The poem begins with the story of King Solomon, the wise ruler of Israel, who is visited by a witch seeking his help. The witch has been cursed by her own magic and is unable to break the spell. She begs Solomon to use his wisdom to free her from the curse. Solomon agrees to help her, but only if she promises to never use her magic for evil again.

The witch agrees to Solomon's terms and he sets about breaking the curse. He uses his own magic to summon the spirits of the air, the earth, and the sea. Together, they create a powerful spell that breaks the curse and frees the witch from her own magic.

However, as soon as the curse is broken, the witch is overcome with temptation. She immediately uses her magic to create a beautiful garden filled with exotic flowers and fruits. She invites Solomon to join her in the garden, but he refuses, knowing that the witch's magic is not to be trusted.

The poem then takes a dark turn as the witch's magic begins to consume her. She becomes obsessed with her own power and begins to use it for evil. She creates storms and tempests, causing destruction and chaos wherever she goes. Solomon realizes that he must act quickly to stop her before she destroys everything he has worked so hard to build.

In a dramatic climax, Solomon confronts the witch and uses his wisdom to outsmart her. He tricks her into revealing the source of her power, a magical ring that she wears on her finger. Solomon quickly removes the ring from her finger, breaking the witch's power and freeing her from her own magic once and for all.

The poem ends with Solomon reflecting on the power of magic and the importance of wisdom. He realizes that magic can be a dangerous tool, but with wisdom and restraint, it can also be a force for good. He also recognizes the importance of using one's power for the greater good, rather than for personal gain.

"Solomon And The Witch" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of magic, wisdom, and temptation. Yeats masterfully weaves together ancient folklore with modern themes, creating a timeless tale that is still relevant today. The poem is a warning against the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of using one's gifts for the greater good.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the character of Solomon himself. He is portrayed as a wise and powerful ruler, but also as a compassionate and empathetic human being. He is willing to help the witch, despite her past misdeeds, and he recognizes the importance of giving people a second chance. He also understands the dangers of temptation and is able to resist the witch's charms, even when they are at their strongest.

The witch, on the other hand, is a tragic figure. She is consumed by her own power and is unable to control her own magic. She is a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of using one's gifts responsibly.

The poem also explores the idea of magic as a force for good or evil. Yeats recognizes that magic can be a powerful tool, but it can also be dangerous if used for the wrong reasons. He encourages his readers to use their own gifts wisely and to always consider the consequences of their actions.

In conclusion, "Solomon And The Witch" is a timeless poem that explores the themes of magic, wisdom, and temptation. Yeats masterfully weaves together ancient folklore with modern themes, creating a powerful tale that is still relevant today. The poem is a warning against the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of using one's gifts for the greater good. It is a testament to Yeats' skill as a poet and his profound understanding of Irish mythology and folklore.

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