Discuss W. B. Yeats As a Poet of Irish Nationalism

Answer

Show W.B. Yeats as a patriotic poet. 

Or, what attitude to politics does Yeats show in the poems you have read?

Or, discuss W. B. Yeats as a poet of Irish nationalism.

B. Yeats (1865 – 1939) was first and foremost an Irish poet with a great love for his country. He was basically a patriotic poet rather than a nationalist movement aimed at freeing Ireland from English rule. The poet consciously revives Irish myth, folklore, saga, and legends in his poetry to show the rich cultural heritage of Ireland.

The Theme of Irish Nationalism: In some of his poems, Yeats introduces the theme of Irish nationalism and the events related to it. His sense of nationalism and patriotic zeal is evident in “Easter 1916”. The poet here shows his veneration to the Irish nationalists who laid out their lives for the sake of their country. On Easter morning of 1916, Irish nationalists launched a revolt against the British government. The revolt was unsuccessful, and several nationalists were executed. Yeats knew some rebels personally. In this poem, he mentions their names – Conolly, Gore-booth, Patrick Pearse, Thomas MacBride, and Major John MacBride. It may be that those persons had led a comic and ordinary life earlier. But their sacrifice has given meaning to their lives, and as a result, a terrible beauty is born. These people are like stone. A stone in-stream is not subject to the change. In the same way, these people embody the eternal human quality – sacrificing one’s life for the sake of others. Their permanent stone-like quality can trouble the lives of other people. This way, the poet says,

Heart with one purpose alone

Through summer and winter seem enchanted to a stone

To trouble the living stream.

Such praise to the nationalists reveals Yeats’ patriotic zeal. Yeats’ poems “September 1913”, “To a Friend whose Work Has Come to Nothing,” “To a Shade,” and many other poems are written with patriotic passion for his country.

Misrule/Anarchy of Imperialism: Yeats’ poem “The