What is the outcome of the seduction of Leda by Swan?
Leda and the Swan is a notable literary work by William Butler Yeats. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Leda and the Swan.
Answer
What is the outcome of the seduction of Leda by Swan?
W.B. Yeats’s (1865-1939) “Leda and the Swan” (1924) retells the Greek myth of Zeus and Leda. The god Zeus takes the form of a swan and seduces the mortal woman Leda. From this divine act, new life and significant historical events arise.
Birth of Helen and Other Children: The union of Zeus and Leda produces powerful offspring. From this act, Leda gives birth to Helen, Clytemnestra, and the twin brothers Castor and Pollux. Each of these children plays a vital role in Greek mythology. Helen’s beauty later becomes the cause of the Trojan War. Clytemnestra’s actions bring tragedy to her husband Agamemnon.
Beginning of the Trojan War: The seduction leads directly to the famous Trojan War. Helen, the daughter of Leda, is taken away by Paris, the Prince of Troy. This causes a long and bloody war between the Greeks and the Trojans. Yeats writes,
“A shudder in the loins engenders there
The broken wall, the burning roof and tower.”
These lines illustrate how a single moment of passion can lead to the fall of Troy and countless deaths.
Rise of a New Civilization: Through this myth, Yeats shows his vision of history. He believes that every age begins with a violent act and ends with destruction. The seduction of Leda by Zeus not only causes tragedy but also begins the Greek Golden Age.
In short, the outcome of Leda’s seduction is both tragic and creative. It brings war, death, and destruction, but also renewal and the birth of a new age. Yeats shows how divine power changes the course of history.