Discuss Yeats’ Concept of History
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
Discuss Yeats’ concept of history. [NU: 2018]
History is the study of past events, especially about people, places, and changes in society. W.B. Yeats (1865–1939) was a poet and deep thinker. He saw history as a circle, where events repeat over time. He believed beauty and violence return again and again. His poems talk about politics, war, change, and spiritual growth. He had a unique view of history.
History Moves in a Circle – The Second Coming: Yeats believed that history moves in cycles, like a spinning wheel. He called these “gyres.” Every 2000 years, a new age begins. In “The Second Coming”, he writes:
“Turning and turning in the widening gyre…”
This means the world keeps spinning, and things change in a circle. Old systems break down, and new ones begin. But the change is not always good. Yeats saw the future as dark and dangerous. So he says,
“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.”
History Brings Change Through Sacrifice – Easter 1916: In this poem, Yeats talks about Irish people who died for their country’s freedom. At first, he did not support them. But later, he understood their importance. He writes:
“All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.”
This line shows how Ireland has changed forever. People who were once ordinary are now heroes. He praises their sacrifice. For Yeats, history brings change through bravery and suffering.
History and Escape – The Lake Isle of Innisfree: Sometimes, Yeats wanted to escape from modern history. In “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”, he dreams of peace and silence. This shows that he was tired of violence and politics. He wanted to return to a simple, peaceful time.
Yeats saw history as a circle of change. It is often full of pain and beauty. He believed that from destruction, new life is born. His idea of history was deep, emotional, and full of symbols.