'A Bronze Head' by William Butler Yeats


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HERE at right of the entrance this bronze head,
Human, superhuman, a bird's round eye,
Everything else withered and mummy-dead.
What great tomb-haunter sweeps the distant sky
(Something may linger there though all else die;)
And finds there nothing to make its tetror less
i{Hysterica passio} of its own emptiness?

No dark tomb-haunter once; her form all full
As though with magnanimity of light,
Yet a most gentle woman; who can tell
Which of her forms has shown her substance right?
Or maybe substance can be composite,
profound McTaggart thought so, and in a breath
A mouthful held the extreme of life and death.

But even at the starting-post, all sleek and new,
I saw the wildness in her and I thought
A vision of terror that it must live through
Had shattered her soul.Propinquity had brought
Imagiation to that pitch where it casts out
All that is not itself:I had grown wild
And wandered murmuring everywhere, "My child, my
child! '

Or else I thought her supernatural;
As though a sterner eye looked through her eye
On this foul world in its decline and fall;
On gangling stocks grown great, great stocks run dry,
Ancestral pearls all pitched into a sty,
Heroic reverie mocked by clown and knave,
And wondered what was left for massacre to save.



Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, A Bronze Head by William Butler Yeats

"Poetry, A Bronze Head" is a poem written by William Butler Yeats, a renowned poet, and Nobel laureate in Literature. This masterpiece was published in 1939 and has since then been recognized as one of Yeats' most powerful works.

The poem is a lyrical meditation on the nature of art, myth, and the creative imagination. As the title suggests, it is centered on a bronze head, which is a symbol of the creative muse, and the inspiration that drives the poet to create.

Yeats was deeply interested in the role of the artist in society and in exploring the relationship between art, myth, and the human experience. "Poetry, A Bronze Head" is a reflection of these interests and explores them in depth.

The Structure of the Poem

The poem opens with a declaration of the power of the bronze head, which serves as a symbol of artistic inspiration. Yeats' use of the phrase "immortal powers" in the opening line sets the tone for the poem and suggests that the creative forces at work here are not of this world.

The structure of the poem is divided into two parts, with the first part consisting of three stanzas and the second part consisting of two stanzas. The first part sets the scene and introduces the idea of the bronze head, while the second part delves deeper into the mythic and creative aspects of the poem.

The Bronze Head as a Symbol of Creativity

The bronze head is a central symbol in the poem and serves as a metaphor for the creative imagination. It is described as having "immortal powers" and is said to be able to "sing of human unsuccess" and "breathe upon a bronze the certain/ Wandering of that ancient hair."

This description suggests that the bronze head is not merely a physical object, but a conduit for the imaginative and creative forces of the universe. It is a symbol of the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience and to communicate that experience across time and space.

The Relationship Between Art and Myth

Yeats was deeply interested in the relationship between art and myth, and this theme is explored in "Poetry, A Bronze Head." The poem references several mythological figures, including Danae, who was impregnated by Zeus in the form of golden rain, and Leda, who was seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan.

These references serve to connect the creative imagination with the ancient myths and legends that have shaped human culture throughout history. Yeats suggests that the power of art lies in its ability to tap into these ancient myths and to use them to communicate the most profound human experiences.

The Power of the Creative Imagination

Throughout the poem, Yeats emphasizes the power of the creative imagination to transcend the limitations of the physical world. This is reflected in the opening line of the poem, which describes the bronze head as having "immortal powers."

Yeats suggests that the creative imagination is capable of transforming the physical world into something transcendent and eternal. He also suggests that the true power of art lies in its ability to capture the essence of human experience and to communicate that experience across time and space.

Interpretation of the Poem

"Poetry, A Bronze Head" is a deeply philosophical and symbolic poem that explores the relationship between art, myth, and the creative imagination. It suggests that the power of art lies in its ability to tap into the ancient myths and legends that have shaped human culture throughout history, and to use them to communicate the most profound human experiences.

The bronze head serves as a symbol of the creative muse and the inspiration that drives the poet to create. It is a conduit for the imaginative and creative forces of the universe and is described as having "immortal powers."

Yeats also emphasizes the power of the creative imagination to transcend the limitations of the physical world and to transform it into something transcendent and eternal. He suggests that the true power of art lies in its ability to capture the essence of human experience and to communicate that experience across time and space.

Conclusion

"Poetry, A Bronze Head" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of art, myth, and the creative imagination. It is a reflection of Yeats' deep interest in these subjects and his belief in the transformative power of poetry.

The poem serves as a reminder of the enduring power of art to capture the essence of the human experience and to communicate it across time and space. It is a testament to the ability of the creative imagination to transform the physical world into something transcendent and eternal, and to touch the hearts and minds of people across generations.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "A Bronze Head" by William Butler Yeats. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of art and the human desire for immortality.

The poem begins with the description of a bronze head that has been lying in a ditch for centuries. The head is described as having a "beautiful calm" and "immortalized" features. The head is a representation of the artist's desire to create something that will last forever. The artist has poured his soul into the creation of this head, and it has become a symbol of his immortality.

The poem then takes a philosophical turn as the speaker contemplates the nature of art and its relationship with mortality. The speaker wonders if the artist's desire for immortality is a futile one, as everything in this world is bound to decay and perish. The speaker questions whether the bronze head will survive the test of time or whether it too will eventually crumble and turn to dust.

The poem then takes a mystical turn as the speaker imagines the bronze head coming to life and speaking to him. The head tells the speaker that it has been waiting for centuries for someone to come and awaken it. The head then goes on to reveal that it was created by a great artist who poured his soul into it. The head tells the speaker that it is a representation of the artist's desire for immortality and that it will survive long after the artist has passed away.

The poem ends with the speaker contemplating the nature of art and its relationship with mortality. The speaker realizes that art is a way for humans to transcend their mortality and leave a lasting legacy. The bronze head is a symbol of this desire for immortality, and it serves as a reminder that even though everything in this world is bound to decay and perish, art has the power to endure.

In "A Bronze Head," Yeats explores the relationship between art and mortality. The poem is a meditation on the human desire for immortality and the role that art plays in fulfilling that desire. The bronze head is a symbol of the artist's desire to create something that will last forever, and it serves as a reminder that even though everything in this world is bound to decay and perish, art has the power to endure.

The poem is also a reflection on the nature of art itself. Yeats suggests that art is a way for humans to transcend their mortality and leave a lasting legacy. The bronze head is a representation of this desire for immortality, and it serves as a reminder that even though everything in this world is bound to decay and perish, art has the power to endure.

The poem is also a commentary on the human condition. Yeats suggests that humans are driven by a desire for immortality, and that this desire is reflected in our art. The bronze head is a symbol of this desire, and it serves as a reminder that even though everything in this world is bound to decay and perish, art has the power to endure.

In conclusion, "A Bronze Head" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of art and the human desire for immortality. The poem is a meditation on the relationship between art and mortality, and it serves as a reminder that even though everything in this world is bound to decay and perish, art has the power to endure. Yeats' use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem is a testament to his skill as a poet. "A Bronze Head" is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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