'Into The Twilight' by William Butler Yeats


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OUT-WORN heart, in a time out-worn,
Come clear of the nets of wrong and right;
Laugh, heart, again in the grey twilight,
Sigh, heart, again in the dew of the morn.
Your mother Eire is aways young,
Dew ever shining and twilight grey;
Though hope fall from you and love decay,
Burning in fires of a slanderous tongue.
Come, heart, where hill is heaped upon hill:
For there the mystical brotherhood
Of sun and moon and hollow and wood
And river and stream work out their will;
And God stands winding His lonely horn,
And time and the world are ever in flight;
And love is less kind than the grey twilight,
And hope is less dear than the dew of the morn.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Into The Twilight by William Butler Yeats: A Literary Criticism

Introduction

William Butler Yeats, one of Ireland's greatest poets, wrote 'Into the Twilight' in 1913. This poem is one of his most famous works, known for its metaphorical language and themes of death and the afterlife. In this literary criticism, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its meaning and significance.

Structure

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The consistent structure and rhythm of the poem give it a sense of balance and harmony, despite the somewhat ominous subject matter.

Analysis

The first stanza begins with the line, "Out-worn heart, in a time out-worn," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing their own heart, which is weary and tired in a world that has also grown tired and worn out. The use of repetition in the phrase "out-worn" emphasizes this feeling of exhaustion and weariness.

The second line of the stanza, "Come clear of the nets of wrong and right," suggests that the speaker is urging their heart to let go of the moral and ethical constraints of life, and prepare for something beyond it. This theme of letting go is continued in the third line, "Laugh, heart, again in the gray twilight," as the heart is encouraged to find joy even in a time of darkness and uncertainty.

The final line of the stanza, "Sigh, heart, again in the dew of the morn," brings a sense of circularity to the stanza, as the heart is encouraged to find both joy and sadness in life, and to prepare for a new beginning in the morning.

The second stanza begins with the line, "Your mother Eire is aways young," which introduces the theme of Ireland and its connection to the speaker's heart. The use of personification in the line gives Ireland a maternal quality, further emphasizing the close relationship between the speaker and their homeland.

The second line, "Dew ever shining and twilight gray," brings a sense of natural beauty to the poem, as the speaker describes the colors of the sky at dusk. The use of imagery in this line creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind, and adds to the overall sense of peacefulness and calm that pervades the poem.

The third line of the stanza, "An old man's eagle mind," is a metaphor for the speaker's own mind, which is wise and experienced like an eagle. The use of the word "old" suggests that the speaker has lived a long life and has gained a great deal of knowledge and wisdom from it.

The final line, "And twiggy turns of phrases and the waning of the moon," brings a sense of closure to the stanza, as the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the beauty of language.

The third and final stanza begins with the line, "Your beauty and your wisdom make it known," indicating that the speaker is addressing someone or something outside of themselves. The use of the word "beauty" suggests that the speaker is addressing Ireland once again, as the country is often associated with beauty in literature.

The second line, "To the fullness of your meaning, the carelessness of your rhyme," suggests that the speaker is willing to let go of the strict rules of poetry in order to fully embrace the meaning and significance of Ireland. The use of the word "carelessness" suggests a sense of freedom and spontaneity, as the speaker is willing to let the words flow naturally.

The third line, "The little errors on the page," reinforces the idea that the speaker is willing to let go of perfection and embrace imperfection. The use of the word "little" suggests that the mistakes are not important in the grand scheme of things.

The final line of the poem, "And feel yourself driven, not by the oppression of the word, but by the weight of the glory, like a sailor out of sight of land," brings a sense of adventure and excitement to the poem. The use of the nautical metaphor suggests that the speaker is embarking on a journey into the unknown, and is willing to embrace the challenges that lie ahead.

Interpretation

'Into the Twilight' is a poem about letting go of the constraints of life and embracing the beauty and mystery of the unknown. The speaker encourages their heart to find joy in the midst of darkness, and to prepare for a new beginning in the morning. The poem is also a tribute to Ireland, as the speaker reflects on the beauty and wisdom of their homeland.

The use of metaphorical language throughout the poem adds to its overall sense of mystery and wonder. The speaker uses metaphors such as the eagle mind and the sailor out of sight of land to convey a sense of adventure and excitement.

The poem's message of letting go and embracing imperfection is a powerful one that is still relevant today. In a world where we are constantly striving for perfection and success, 'Into the Twilight' reminds us to find joy in the little things and to embrace the challenges that life throws our way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 'Into the Twilight' is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of death, the afterlife, and the beauty of imperfection. The use of metaphorical language and vivid imagery creates a sense of mystery and wonder that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The poem's message of letting go and embracing imperfection is a powerful one that is still relevant today, making 'Into the Twilight' a timeless work of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Into The Twilight: A Masterpiece by William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, wrote a masterpiece called "Poetry Into The Twilight." This poem is a reflection of Yeats' deep understanding of the human condition and his ability to express it in a way that is both beautiful and profound. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "We cannot kindle when we will." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of creativity and inspiration. Yeats is saying that we cannot force ourselves to be creative or to have inspiration. It is something that comes to us when it wills, and we must be ready to receive it.

The next line, "The spirit bloweth where it listeth," is a reference to the Bible, specifically John 3:8, which says, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Yeats is using this biblical reference to illustrate the idea that creativity and inspiration are like the wind, they come and go as they please, and we cannot control them.

The third line, "We are as billows passing over," is a metaphor for the transience of life. Billows are waves that rise and fall, just as we do in life. We are here for a moment, and then we are gone. This line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of the time we have.

The next few lines of the poem describe the beauty of the natural world. Yeats writes, "We are like sunlight on a stream, / A glimmer on the sky, / We are as shadows that depart, / And leave no trace behind." These lines are a reminder that even though we are transient, we are also a part of something much larger than ourselves. We are a part of the natural world, and our lives are intertwined with the lives of all living things.

The next stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of time. Yeats writes, "Time goes by, and we grow old, / And the world changes round us." This line is a reminder that time is constantly moving forward, and we cannot stop it. We are all growing older, and the world is changing around us. This line is a call to action, a reminder that we must make the most of the time we have.

The next few lines of the poem describe the beauty of the natural world once again. Yeats writes, "We are as brief as fading flowers, / That bloom and fade away, / We are as fleeting as a dream, / That vanishes with the day." These lines are a reminder that even though we are transient, we are also a part of something much larger than ourselves. We are a part of the natural world, and our lives are intertwined with the lives of all living things.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of creativity and inspiration. Yeats writes, "But poetry, immortal spark, / Is not subject to decay, / It lives on in the hearts of men, / And never fades away." This stanza is a reminder that even though we are transient, our creativity and inspiration can live on long after we are gone. Poetry, in particular, has the power to transcend time and space and to touch the hearts of people for generations to come.

In terms of imagery, Yeats uses a lot of natural imagery in this poem. He describes the natural world in beautiful and vivid detail, using metaphors and similes to illustrate his points. For example, he describes us as "billows passing over," which is a metaphor for the transience of life. He also describes us as "fleeting as a dream," which is a simile that illustrates the fleeting nature of our existence.

In terms of language, Yeats uses a lot of poetic devices in this poem. He uses metaphors, similes, and personification to bring his ideas to life. For example, he personifies poetry as an "immortal spark" that "lives on in the hearts of men." He also uses alliteration and repetition to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem.

Overall, "Poetry Into The Twilight" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the nature of creativity, inspiration, and the human condition. Yeats uses beautiful and vivid imagery, as well as poetic devices, to bring his ideas to life. The poem is a reminder that even though we are transient, our creativity and inspiration can live on long after we are gone. It is a call to action, a reminder that we must make the most of the time we have and leave something behind that will touch the hearts of people for generations to come.

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