How Does W.B. Yeats Handle Myth and History in His Poems?

Answer

How does W.B. Yeats handle myth and history in his poems? 

In classical Greek, “mythos” signified any story or plot, whether true or invented. According to modern commentary, a myth is a system of hereditary stories of ancient origin that a particular cultural group once believed to be true. On the other hand, history is a fact. Myth and history form an integral part of W.B. Yeats’s poetry. 

Yeats’ handling of myth: The myth that Yeats (1865-1939) used extensively in his poems is directly derived from the source of the legend of Irish heroism. He has wholly absorbed this mythology and made it a part of his imagination. He believes that literature is not only imbued with passion and ancient beliefs but is always in danger of degeneration, which he calls the Chronicle of Situation or Emotional Imagination.

“Easter 1916”: The poem “Easter 1916” is based on Irish mythology and Irish politics. In this poem, we see Yeats’s myth-making imagination at work. He transforms and modifies old myths to suit his purpose; he even creates new myths. The poem’s opening lines convey an impression that some legendary figures are coming out of the dead past to participate in the preset activity. 

Maud Gonne related to myth: Many of Yeats’s poems show his love for Maud Gonne. In his poems, we also find the theme of intellectual hatred. According to the poet, Maud Gonne had intellectual hatred because of which she acted foolishly and ruined her happiness by marrying John Mac Bride, a worthless vainglorious lout. So, the poet symbolically wishes that his daughter should avoid the fault of Maud Gonne- intellectual hatred. 

Yeats’ handling of history:  Yeats’ handling of history is philosophic and far-reaching. Among the poems that express Yeats’s sense of history are poems like “The Second Coming, September 1913, Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen and Eater 1916. 

Focusing on the cycles of civilization: The poem “The Second Coming” is a good illustration of Yeats’s theory of the rise and fall of civilization. This poem