'The Gyres' by William Butler Yeats


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THE GYRES! the gyres! Old Rocky Face, look forth;
Things thought too long can be no longer thought,
For beauty dies of beauty, worth of worth,
And ancient lineaments are blotted out.
Irrational streams of blood are staining earth;
Empedocles has thrown all things about;
Hector is dead and there's a light in Troy;
We that look on but laugh in tragic joy.
What matter though numb nightmare ride on top,
And blood and mire the sensitive body stain?
What matter? Heave no sigh, let no tear drop,
A-greater, a more gracious time has gone;
For painted forms or boxes of make-up
In ancient tombs I sighed, but not again;
What matter? Out of cavern comes a voice,
And all it knows is that one word "Rejoice!'
Conduct and work grow coarse, and coarse the soul,
What matter? Those that Rocky Face holds dear,
Lovers of horses and of women, shall,
From marble of a broken sepulchre,
Or dark betwixt the polecat and the owl,
Or any rich, dark nothing disinter
The workman, noble and saint, and all things run
On that unfashionable gyre again.


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Gyres by William Butler Yeats

Are you looking for a poem that will transport you to another realm, filled with mystical imagery and profound symbolism? Look no further than "The Gyres" by William Butler Yeats. This classic piece of poetry has been analyzed and interpreted countless times, but I am here to add my own perspective to the conversation.

The Gyres: A Brief Overview

Before diving into the deeper meanings of "The Gyres," let's take a moment to examine the poem's structure. It is divided into two stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which creates a sense of continuity and stability. However, this stability is contrasted by the poem's subject matter.

The word "gyre" refers to a circular or spiral motion, and Yeats uses this term to describe the cyclical nature of history and human existence. The first stanza describes the movement of the gyres in general terms, while the second stanza focuses on the specific gyre that Yeats sees as dominant in his own time.

A Symbolic Journey Through Time

"The Gyres" can be seen as a journey through time, from the beginning of civilization to Yeats' present day. The first stanza describes the movement of the gyres in a sweeping, cosmic sense:

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.

The opening line creates an image of a falcon flying in ever-widening circles, until it is so far away from the falconer that it can no longer hear his commands. This can be seen as a metaphor for the distance between humanity and its divine origins. As civilization progresses and becomes more complex, we lose touch with the spiritual realm that once guided us.

The second line refers to the breakdown of communication and connection between different parts of society. This can be seen as a commentary on the fragmentation and isolation that Yeats observed in his own time.

The third and fourth lines are perhaps the most famous in the entire poem, and they encapsulate the idea of the gyres in a nutshell. "Things fall apart" suggests the disintegration of structure and order, while "the centre cannot hold" implies a loss of balance and stability. The final line, "mere anarchy is loosed upon the world," is a powerful statement on the chaos and disorder that can result from the breakdown of society.

In the second stanza, Yeats focuses on the specific gyre that he sees as dominant in his own time:

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Here, Yeats describes a world in which violence and darkness have taken over. The phrase "blood-dimmed tide" conjures up images of war and destruction, while the "ceremony of innocence" suggests a loss of purity and goodness. The final two lines are particularly powerful, as they describe a world in which the most virtuous and wise among us lack conviction and passion, while those who are consumed by their own passions and desires hold all the power.

Interpretation and Analysis

So, what does it all mean? "The Gyres" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's perspective and beliefs. Here are a few possible readings:

A Commentary on the Decline of Western Civilization

Many readers see "The Gyres" as a commentary on the decline of Western civilization. Yeats lived through two world wars, the rise of totalitarianism, and the collapse of traditional values in the early 20th century. The poem can be seen as a lament for the loss of order and stability that characterized earlier periods of history.

A Critique of Modernity and Technology

Some scholars argue that "The Gyres" is a critique of modernity and technology. The falcon and falconer can be seen as symbols of the natural world and humanity's attempts to control it. As technology advances and humans become more disconnected from nature, they lose touch with the spiritual realm that once guided them.

A Reflection on the Cycles of History and Time

Finally, "The Gyres" can be interpreted as a reflection on the cyclical nature of history and time. The movement of the gyres suggests that history repeats itself in predictable patterns, with periods of order and stability followed by periods of chaos and destruction. Yeats may be suggesting that this is an inevitable part of human existence, and that we must learn to accept and navigate these cycles if we are to survive.

Conclusion

"The Gyres" is a poem that rewards careful reading and interpretation. Through its evocative imagery and powerful symbolism, it offers a commentary on the human condition that is both timeless and timely. Whether you see it as a critique of modernity or a reflection on the cycles of history, "The Gyres" is a work of art that continues to captivate and inspire readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Gyres: A Poetic Exploration of the Cycles of History

William Butler Yeats, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was known for his deep interest in mysticism, mythology, and the occult. His poem "The Gyres" is a prime example of his fascination with these themes, as it explores the cyclical nature of history and the human condition.

The poem begins with the lines "Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it introduces the idea of a falcon and its falconer being disconnected from each other. This metaphor can be interpreted in many ways, but one possible interpretation is that it represents the disconnect between humanity and its guiding principles.

Yeats believed that history moved in cycles, with each cycle representing a different phase of human development. The gyres, which are spiraling cones that intersect at a point, represent these cycles. The widening gyre in the first line of the poem represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.

The second stanza of the poem describes the chaos and confusion that occurs during this transition period. "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; / Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world." This imagery is reminiscent of the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, where humanity's attempt to build a tower to reach the heavens resulted in the confusion of languages and the scattering of people across the earth.

Yeats believed that the chaos and confusion of this transition period were necessary for the birth of a new cycle. In the third stanza, he writes, "The best lack all conviction, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity." This line suggests that during this period of transition, those who are most passionate and driven are often the ones who rise to power, while those who are more moderate and thoughtful are left behind.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the birth of a new cycle. "Surely some revelation is at hand; / Surely the Second Coming is at hand." This line refers to the Christian belief in the second coming of Christ, but Yeats uses it to represent the birth of a new cycle of history. He believed that during this period, a new set of guiding principles would emerge to replace the old ones.

The final stanza of the poem describes the new cycle of history. "And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, / Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?" This line refers to a beast that is coming to be born in Bethlehem, which is the birthplace of Christ. Yeats uses this imagery to suggest that the new cycle of history will be characterized by a new set of values and beliefs that are different from the old ones.

Overall, "The Gyres" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the cyclical nature of history and the human condition. Yeats believed that history moved in cycles, with each cycle representing a different phase of human development. The gyres, which are spiraling cones that intersect at a point, represent these cycles. The widening gyre in the first line of the poem represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.

The chaos and confusion that occur during this transition period are necessary for the birth of a new cycle. Yeats believed that during this period, a new set of guiding principles would emerge to replace the old ones. The final stanza of the poem describes the new cycle of history, which will be characterized by a new set of values and beliefs that are different from the old ones.

In conclusion, "The Gyres" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the cyclical nature of history and the human condition. Yeats' use of metaphor and imagery creates a vivid and evocative picture of the transition from one cycle of history to another. The poem's message is both timeless and relevant, as it reminds us that history is constantly in motion and that we must be prepared to adapt to the changes that come with each new cycle.

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