'A Man Young And Old' by William Butler Yeats


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



I
i{First Love}

THOUGH nurtured like the sailing moon
In beauty's murderous brood,
She walked awhile and blushed awhile
And on my pathway stood
Until I thought her body bore
A heart of flesh and blood.
But since I laid a hand thereon
And found a heart of stone
I have attempted many things
And not a thing is done,
For every hand is lunatic
That travels on the moon.
She smiled and that transfigured me
And left me but a lout,
Maundering here, and maundering there,
Emptier of thought
Than the heavenly circuit of its stars
When the moon sails out.

II
i{Human Dignity}
Like the moon her kindness is,
If kindness I may call
What has no comprehension in't,
But is the same for all
As though my sorrow were a scene
Upon a painted wall.
So like a bit of stone I lie
Under a broken tree.
I could recover if I shrieked
My heart's agony
To passing bird, but I am dumb
From human dignity.

III
i{The Mermaid }
A mermaid found a swimming lad,
Picked him for her own,
Pressed her body to his body,
Laughed; and plunging down
Forgot in cruel happiness
That even lovers drown.

IV
i{The Death of the Hare}
I have pointed out the yelling pack,
The hare leap to the wood,
And when I pass a compliment
Rejoice as lover should
At the drooping of an eye,
At the mantling of the blood.
Then' suddenly my heart is wrung
By her distracted air
And I remember wildness lost
And after, swept from there,
Am set down standing in the wood
At the death of the hare.

V
i{The Empty Cup}
A crazy man that found a cup,
When all but dead of thirst,
Hardly dared to wet his mouth
Imagining, moon-accursed,
That another mouthful
And his beating heart would burst.
October last I found it too
But found it dry as bone,
And for that reason am I crazed
And my sleep is gone.

VI
i{His Memories}
We should be hidden from their eyes,
Being but holy shows
And bodies broken like a thorn
Whereon the bleak north blows,
To think of buried Hector
And that none living knows.
The women take so little stock
In what I do or say
They'd sooner leave their cosseting
To hear a jackass bray;
My arms are like the twisted thorn
And yet there beauty lay;
The first of all the tribe lay there
And did such pleasure take --
She who had brought great Hector down
And put all Troy to wreck --
That she cried into this ear,
"Strike me if I shriek.'

VII
i{The Friends of his Youth}
Laughter not time destroyed my voice
And put that crack in it,
And when the moon's pot-bellied
I get a laughing fit,
For that old Madge comes down the lane,
A stone upon her breast,
And a cloak wrapped about the stone,
And she can get no rest
With singing hush and hush-a-bye;
She that has been wild
And barren as a breaking wave
Thinks that the stone's a child.
And Peter that had great affairs
And was a pushing man
Shrieks, "I am King of the Peacocks,'
And perches on a stone;
And then I laugh till tears run down
And the heart thumps at my side,
Remembering that her shriek was love
And that he shrieks from pride.

VIII
i{Summer and Spring}
We sat under an old thorn-tree
And talked away the night,
Told all that had been said or done
Since first we saw the light,
And when we talked of growing up
Knew that we'd halved a soul
And fell the one in t'other's arms
That we might make it whole;
Then peter had a murdering look,
For it seemed that he and she
Had spoken of their childish days
Under that very tree.
O what a bursting out there was,
And what a blossoming,
When we had all the summer-time
And she had all the spring!

IX
i{The Secrets of the Old}
I have old women's sectets now
That had those of the young;
Madge tells me what I dared not think
When my blood was strong,
And what had drowned a lover once
Sounds like an old song.
Though Margery is stricken dumb
If thrown in Madge's way,
We three make up a solitude;
For none alive to-day
Can know the stories that we know
Or say the things we say:
How such a man pleased women most
Of all that are gone,
How such a pair loved many years
And such a pair but one,
Stories of the bed of straw
Or the bed of down.

X
i{His Wildness}
O bid me mount and sail up there
Amid the cloudy wrack,
For peg and Meg and Paris' love
That had so straight a back,
Are gone away, and some that stay
Have changed their silk for sack.
Were I but there and none to hear
I'd have a peacock cry,
For that is natural to a man
That lives in memory,
Being all alone I'd nurse a stone
And sing it lullaby.

XI
i{From 'Oedipus at Colonus'}
Endure what life God gives and ask no longer span;
Cease to remember the delights of youth, travel-wearied aged man;
Delight becomes death-longing if all longing else be vain.
Even from that delight memory treasures so,
Death, despair, division of families, all entanglements of mankind grow,
As that old wandering beggar and these God-hated children know.
In the long echoing street the laughing dancers throng,
The bride is catried to the bridegroom's chamber
through torchlight and tumultuous song;
I celebrate the silent kiss that ends short life or long.
Never to have lived is best, ancient writers say;
Never to have drawn the breath of life, never to have
looked into the eye of day;
The second best's a gay goodnight and quickly turn away.


Editor 1 Interpretation

A Man Young And Old: A Masterpiece of Yeatsian Poetry

William Butler Yeats is undoubtedly one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. His literary works have captured the imagination of generations of readers, and his contributions to the world of literature continue to inspire writers to this day. Among his most famous works is "A Man Young and Old," which is a collection of poems that explore the complexities of human life and the mysteries of existence. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the world of Yeatsian poetry and explore the themes, motifs, and symbolism of this classic work.

A Closer Look at the Poems

"A Man Young and Old" is divided into two sections: "Youth and Age" and "Man and the Echo." The first section explores the journey of life from the perspective of a young man and an old man, while the second section delves into the inner struggles of a man as he confronts his own mortality. Each poem is a masterpiece in its own right, and together they create a powerful and moving portrait of the human condition.

Youth and Age

The first section of "A Man Young and Old" explores the themes of youth, love, and the passage of time. The opening poem, "When You Are Old," is one of Yeats' most famous works, and it sets the tone for the entire collection. The poem is addressed to Maud Gonne, the woman who was the love of Yeats' life, and it speaks of the transience of beauty and the inevitability of aging.

In "A Song," the second poem in the collection, Yeats explores the themes of love, longing, and loss. The poem is about a young man who is in love with a woman who is no longer interested in him. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions, and it is a testament to Yeats' skill as a poet.

"The Lover Tells of the Rose in His Heart" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the themes of love, beauty, and mortality. The poem is about a young man who loves a woman who is dying, and it speaks of the power of love to transcend death.

In "The Heart of the Woman," Yeats explores the themes of love and betrayal. The poem is about a woman who is betrayed by her lover, and it speaks of the pain and sorrow that comes with such a betrayal.

The final poem in the "Youth and Age" section is "The Collar-Bone of a Hare." This poem is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The poem is filled with powerful imagery and deep philosophical insights, and it serves as a fitting end to this section of the collection.

Man and the Echo

The second section of "A Man Young and Old" explores the themes of self-discovery, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. The opening poem, "Man and the Echo," is a haunting and powerful meditation on the human condition. The poem is about a man who is confronted by his own mortality, and it speaks of the struggle to come to terms with the limitations of human existence.

In "Her Praise," Yeats explores the themes of love and the search for spiritual fulfillment. The poem is about a man who is in love with a woman who is more than just a physical being, and it speaks of the power of love to transcend the limitations of the physical world.

"The Wild Swans at Coole" is one of Yeats' most famous poems, and it is a powerful meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The poem is about a man who is confronted by the reality of his own mortality, and it speaks of the beauty and transience of life.

In "The Tower," Yeats explores the themes of self-discovery and the search for meaning in life. The poem is about a man who is in search of a spiritual truth that will help him understand the nature of existence. The poem is filled with powerful imagery and deep philosophical insights, and it is a testament to Yeats' skill as a poet.

The final poem in the collection is "The Gyres." This poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of existence and the human condition. It speaks of the struggle to come to terms with the limitations of human existence, and it offers a glimmer of hope in the face of the inevitability of death.

Themes, Motifs, and Symbolism

"A Man Young and Old" is a complex work of literature that is filled with themes, motifs, and symbolism. At its core, the collection is a meditation on the human condition and the struggle to come to terms with the limitations of human existence. The themes of love, mortality, and the search for meaning in life are woven throughout the collection, and they give the poems a powerful emotional resonance that is both haunting and beautiful.

One of the key motifs in the collection is the passage of time. Throughout the poems, Yeats uses imagery that speaks to the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Whether it is the fading beauty of a woman in "When You Are Old" or the dying swans in "The Wild Swans at Coole," Yeats' poetry speaks to the fragility of life and the importance of living in the present moment.

Another key motif in the collection is the search for spiritual fulfillment. Throughout the poems, Yeats explores the themes of love and the search for a deeper truth that transcends the physical world. Whether it is the spiritual love in "Her Praise" or the search for a spiritual truth in "The Tower," Yeats' poetry speaks to the human need for something more than the material world can offer.

Finally, Yeats' use of symbolism is another key element of the collection. The gyres in "The Gyres" represent the cyclical nature of existence, while the wild swans in "The Wild Swans at Coole" represent the beauty and transience of life. The rose in "The Lover Tells of the Rose in His Heart" represents the power of love to transcend death, while the echo in "Man and the Echo" represents the struggle to come to terms with the limitations of human existence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A Man Young and Old" is a masterpiece of Yeatsian poetry. The collection is a powerful and moving meditation on the human condition, and it speaks to the themes of love, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. Through his use of powerful imagery, deep philosophical insights, and haunting emotions, Yeats has created a work of literature that is both beautiful and haunting. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply someone who appreciates great literature, "A Man Young and Old" is a must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium for expressing the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human mind. It is a form of art that has the power to transcend time and space, and connect people across generations. One such masterpiece of poetry is "A Man Young and Old" by William Butler Yeats. This poem is a reflection of the poet's own life and his journey from youth to old age. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.

The poem "A Man Young and Old" is divided into two parts, each consisting of six stanzas. The first part is titled "The Young Man's Song" and the second part is titled "The Old Man's Song". The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is the persona of the poet himself. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own life, and it is a journey from youth to old age.

The first part of the poem, "The Young Man's Song", is a celebration of youth and the joys of life. The speaker talks about the beauty of nature and the pleasures of love. The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem, with the speaker declaring that he is "but a paltry thing, / A tattered coat upon a stick". This line is a metaphor for the fragility of youth, and how it is fleeting like a tattered coat that can easily be blown away by the wind. The second stanza talks about the beauty of nature, with the speaker describing the "purple glow of twilight" and the "silver moon that mounts up to the sky". The third stanza talks about the pleasures of love, with the speaker declaring that "Love has pitched his mansion in / The place of excrement". This line is a metaphor for how love can transform even the most unpleasant things into something beautiful.

The second part of the poem, "The Old Man's Song", is a reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of old age. The speaker talks about the loss of youth and the regrets that come with it. The first stanza sets the tone for the entire part, with the speaker declaring that "My arms are like the twisted thorn, / And yet there beauty lay". This line is a metaphor for the physical decay that comes with old age, and how it can hide the beauty that once existed. The second stanza talks about the regrets of old age, with the speaker declaring that "I have forgot, and yet I see / That I have met with scoffers". This line is a reflection on the mistakes of youth, and how they can come back to haunt us in old age. The third stanza talks about the inevitability of death, with the speaker declaring that "I am content to follow to its source / Every event in action or in thought". This line is a reflection on the acceptance of death, and how it is a natural part of life.

The poem is filled with symbolism and literary devices that add depth and meaning to the words. One such device is the use of metaphor. The poem is filled with metaphors that help to convey the emotions and thoughts of the speaker. For example, in the first stanza of the first part, the speaker declares that he is "but a paltry thing, / A tattered coat upon a stick". This line is a metaphor for the fragility of youth, and how it is fleeting like a tattered coat that can easily be blown away by the wind. Another example of metaphor is in the first stanza of the second part, where the speaker declares that "My arms are like the twisted thorn, / And yet there beauty lay". This line is a metaphor for the physical decay that comes with old age, and how it can hide the beauty that once existed.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The poem is filled with vivid imagery that helps to create a picture in the mind of the reader. For example, in the second stanza of the first part, the speaker talks about the "purple glow of twilight" and the "silver moon that mounts up to the sky". This imagery helps to create a sense of beauty and wonder in the mind of the reader. Another example of imagery is in the first stanza of the second part, where the speaker talks about his "arms like the twisted thorn". This imagery helps to create a sense of physical decay and loss.

The poem is also filled with symbolism. One such symbol is the moon. The moon is a symbol of beauty and wonder, and it appears several times in the poem. In the second stanza of the first part, the speaker talks about the "silver moon that mounts up to the sky". In the third stanza of the first part, the speaker talks about how "Love has pitched his mansion in / The place of excrement", and how the moon "looks down on old crooked trees". This symbolizes how even in the most unpleasant places, beauty can still exist.

In conclusion, "A Man Young and Old" is a masterpiece of poetry that reflects the journey of life from youth to old age. The poem is filled with symbolism, imagery, and literary devices that add depth and meaning to the words. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own life, and it is a celebration of youth and a reflection on the passing of time. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should cherish every moment that we have.

Editor Recommended Sites

Neo4j App: Neo4j tutorials for graph app deployment
Switch Tears of the Kingdom fan page: Fan page for the sequal to breath of the wild 2
Machine Learning Events: Online events for machine learning engineers, AI engineers, large language model LLM engineers
Witcher 4: Speculation on projekt red's upcoming games
Play Songs by Ear: Learn to play songs by ear with trainear.com ear trainer and music theory software

Recommended Similar Analysis

The Garden Of Love by William Blake analysis
How To Write A Blackwood Article by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Publication-is the Auction by Emily Dickinson analysis
Milton : And did those feet in ancient time by William Blake analysis
Work And Contemplation by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
The World Below The Brine by Walt Whitman analysis
Pink-small-and punctual- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Astrophil And Stella - Sonnet CVIII by Sir Philip Sidney analysis
Drum -Taps by Walt Whitman analysis
The Murders In The Rue Morgue by Edgar Allen Poe analysis