What is Yeats’ attitude to history and civilization?
The Second Coming 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 The Second Coming.
Answer
What is Yeats’ attitude to history and civilization? [2020] Or, What does Yeats say about the rise and fall of civilizations?
W.B. Yeats (1865-1939) frequently reflects on the cyclical nature of history in his poems. He believes that every civilization rises, grows, and then falls. It happens only to be replaced by another. This continuous cycle of creation and destruction shows his deep vision of life, time, and human progress.
The Cyclic Nature of History: Yeats views history as a cyclical process that never stops. Every civilization is born, matures, and finally decays. When one age ends, another begins. In his view, this cycle of rise and fall is natural and eternal. The poet writes,
“All things fall and are built again,
And those that build them again are gay.”
These lines express his belief that destruction is never final. It always leads to a new creation and hope.
The Destruction of Old Civilizations: Yeats describes the fall of great empires through vivid images. He says that invading hordes come by “ships, camels, horses, and mules” to destroy the old order. Yet, these invaders and their wisdom also vanish in time. Even the perfect creations of artists like Callimachus fade away. This reflects the truth that human greatness is always temporary.
The Joy of Rebuilding: Although destruction is painful, Yeats finds beauty in renewal. He believes that every fall gives birth to a new beginning. The artist, though aware of life’s shortness, continues to create with joy and hope. For Yeats, the act of rebuilding itself is meaningful. This is the spirit that keeps humanity alive through every tragedy.
Yeats teaches that history moves in endless cycles of rise and fall. No civilization lasts forever. But from every ruin, a new age is born. In this rhythm of change lies the eternal beauty of life.