The Second Coming
(by William Butler Yeats)
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
“The Second Coming”
by William Butler Yeats is indeed a profound and haunting poem. The imagery and
themes it explores are both vivid and unsettling. Yeats captures a world in
turmoil, where traditional structures and beliefs are breaking down, leading to
chaos and uncertainty.
The poem’s central
themes:
Chaos and Disorder: The falcon’s
inability to hear the falconer symbolizes the breakdown of order and control.
Apocalyptic Vision: The “blood-dimmed
tide” and “ceremony of innocence is drowned” evoke a sense of widespread
destruction and loss of innocence.
Moral Ambiguity: The best lacking
conviction and the worst being full of passionate intensity reflect a world
where moral clarity is lost.
The poem’s reference
to the “Second Coming” suggests a momentous event, but instead of a hopeful
revelation, Yeats envisions a “rough beast” slouching towards Bethlehem,
symbolizing a new and possibly terrifying era.
Summary of the poem “The Second Coming” by
William Butler Yeats is a poem that explores themes of chaos, disintegration,
and the anticipation of a transformative event. Written in the aftermath of
World War I, it reflects the sense of upheaval and uncertainty of the time.
Summary:
Opening Imagery: The
poem begins with the image of a falcon spiralling out of control, unable to
hear the falconer, symbolizing the breakdown of order and communication.
Chaos and Anarchy:
Yeats describes a world where “things fall apart” and “mere anarchy is loosed
upon the world,” indicating a collapse of societal structures and widespread
chaos.
Moral Decay: The
poem highlights the moral confusion of the era, where “the best lack all
conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”
Apocalyptic Vision:
Yeats envisions the “Second Coming,” traditionally a hopeful event, but instead
sees a disturbing vision from the collective unconscious (“Spiritus Mundi”). He
describes a monstrous figure with a lion’s body and a man’s head, symbolizing a
new, ominous era.
Conclusion: The poem
ends with the image of this “rough beast” slouching towards Bethlehem to be
born, suggesting the birth of a new, potentially terrifying age.
Yeats uses powerful
and unsettling imagery to convey a sense of impending doom and transformation,
reflecting the anxieties of his time.
Stanza wise summary of the poem.
Stanza 1: Lines 1-8: The poem opens with
the image of a falcon flying in ever-widening circles, unable to hear the
falconer. This symbolizes the loss of control and the breakdown of order. Yeats
describes a world where “things fall apart” and “the centre cannot hold,” indicating
a collapse of societal structures. Anarchy and chaos are unleashed, and
innocence is overwhelmed by violence and disorder. The best people lack
conviction, while the worst are filled with passionate intensity.
Stanza 2: Lines
9-22: Yeats shifts to a prophetic tone, suggesting that a revelation or
significant event is imminent. He refers to the “Second Coming,” traditionally
associated with the return of Christ, but instead envisions a disturbing vision
from the collective unconscious (“Spiritus Mundi”). He describes a monstrous
figure with a lion’s body and a man’s head, with a gaze as pitiless as the sun.
This creature moves slowly through the desert, surrounded by the shadows of
indignant birds. The darkness falls again, and Yeats realizes that the world
has been disturbed from its long sleep by a rocking cradle. The poem concludes
with the ominous image of this “rough beast” slouching towards Bethlehem to be
born, symbolizing the birth of a new, potentially terrifying era.
Yeats uses vivid and
unsettling imagery to convey a sense of impending doom and transformation,
reflecting the anxieties of his time.
What do you think about the imagery and themes Yeats uses in this
poem?
Yeats’ use of
imagery and themes in “The Second Coming” is both powerful and evocative,
creating a vivid sense of chaos and transformation. Here are some key aspects:
Imagery:
Falcon and Falconer:
The image of the falcon spiralling out of control, unable to hear the falconer,
symbolizes the breakdown of order and communication. It sets the tone for the
poem’s exploration of chaos.
Blood-Dimmed Tide: This phrase evokes
a sense of overwhelming violence and destruction, suggesting that the world is
being engulfed by turmoil.
Lion Body and Man’s
Head: The monstrous figure with a lion’s body and a man’s head is a
striking and unsettling image. It represents a new, ominous force emerging from
the chaos.
Indignant Desert
Birds: The shadows of the birds circling the beast add to the sense of
foreboding and desolation.
Themes:
Chaos and Disorder: The poem captures a
world where traditional structures and beliefs are collapsing, leading to
widespread anarchy and confusion.
Moral Ambiguity: Yeats highlights
the moral confusion of the time, where the best people lack conviction, and the
worst are filled with passionate intensity. This reflects a loss of moral
clarity and direction.
Apocalyptic Vision: The reference to
the “Second Coming” traditionally suggests a hopeful event, but Yeats envisions
it as a disturbing and transformative moment, heralding the birth of a new,
potentially terrifying era.
Overall, Yeats’
imagery and themes create a sense of impending doom and transformation,
reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of the post-World War I era. The
poem’s vivid and unsettling images leave a lasting impression, making it a
powerful exploration of societal collapse and the anticipation of a new age.
What aspects of the poem resonate most with you?
“The Second Coming”
by Yeats is rich with imagery and themes that evoke a strong response.
Imagery:
Falcon and Falconer: This image of the
falcon spiraling out of control is a powerful metaphor for the loss of control
and the breakdown of societal order. It vividly captures the chaos and
disintegration of the world.
Rough Beast: The description of
the rough beast with a lion’s body and a man’s head, slouching towards
Bethlehem, is both haunting and memorable. It symbolizes the emergence of a
new, potentially terrifying force, adding to the poem’s apocalyptic tone.
Themes:
Chaos and Disorder: The poem’s
depiction of a world where “things fall apart” and “the centre cannot hold”
resonates deeply, reflecting the sense of instability and uncertainty that can
be felt during times of great upheaval.
Moral Ambiguity: The idea that “the
best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity”
highlights the moral confusion and the inversion of values that can occur in
such times. This theme is particularly thought-provoking and relevant.
Apocalyptic Vision: The anticipation of
a transformative event, the “Second Coming,” but with a dark and unsettling
twist, adds a layer of complexity to the poem. It challenges traditional
notions of renewal and rebirth, suggesting that what is to come may not be
hopeful or positive.
What message the poet wants to convey through the poem?
“The Second Coming”
by William Butler Yeats conveys several profound messages, reflecting the
poet’s response to the chaos and disillusionment of the post-World War I era.
Here are some key messages:
Breakdown of Order:
Loss of Control: The
image of the falcon unable to hear the falconer symbolizes the breakdown of
traditional structures and the loss of control. This suggests that the
established order is disintegrating, leading to chaos and confusion.
Moral and Social
Decay:
Moral Ambiguity: The
poem highlights the moral confusion of the time, where “the best lack all
conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” This reflects a
world where moral clarity is lost, and those with harmful intentions gain power
and influence.
Apocalyptic Vision:
Transformation and
Uncertainty: The reference to the “Second Coming” traditionally suggests a
hopeful event, but Yeats envisions it as a disturbing and transformative
moment. The emergence of the “rough beast” symbolizes the birth of a new,
potentially terrifying era, indicating that the future is uncertain and may
bring further turmoil.
Cyclical Nature of
History:
Historical Cycles:
Yeats believed in the cyclical nature of history, where periods of order and
chaos alternate. The poem suggests that the world is entering a new cycle of
chaos and transformation, driven by the collapse of the old order.
Reflection of
Contemporary Anxieties:
Post-War
Disillusionment: Written in the aftermath of World War I, the poem captures the
sense of disillusionment and anxiety that characterized the period. It reflects
the widespread feeling that the world was irrevocably changed and that a new,
uncertain era was beginning.
“The Second Coming”
conveys a message of profound change and upheaval, reflecting Yeats’ perception
of a world in crisis and the anticipation of a transformative, yet potentially
ominous, future.
MCQ based Questions and answers from the poem.
Questions:
What does the falcon
symbolize in the poem?
A) Freedom
B) Control
C) Chaos
D) Nature
What phrase
indicates the breakdown of societal order?
A) “Turning and
turning in the widening gyre”
B) “The falcon
cannot hear the falconer”
C) “Things fall
apart; the centre cannot hold”
D) “Mere anarchy is
loosed upon the world”
What does the
“blood-dimmed tide” symbolize?
A) Peace
B) Violence and
destruction
C) Innocence
D) Nature’s beauty
What is the “Second
Coming” traditionally associated with?
A) The return of
Christ
B) The end of the
world
C) The rise of a new
empire
D) The fall of a
civilization
What is the “rough
beast” described as having?
A) A lion’s body and
a man’s head
B) A dragon’s body
and a human’s head
C) A bird’s body and
a lion’s head
D) A serpent’s body
and a man’s head
What does the
“rocking cradle” symbolize?
A) Birth of a new
era
B) Death of
innocence
C) The end of time
D) The rise of a new
leader
What is the tone of
the poem?
A) Hopeful
B) Joyful
C) Ominous and
foreboding
D) Indifferent
What does Yeats mean
by “Spiritus Mundi”?
A) The spirit of the
world
B) The spirit of
mankind
C) The spirit of
nature
D) The spirit of the
universe
Answers:
C) Chaos
C) “Things fall
apart; the centre cannot hold”
B) Violence and
destruction
A) The return of
Christ
A) A lion’s body and
a man’s head
A) Birth of a new
era
C) Ominous and
foreboding
A) The spirit of the
world
Questions:
What does Yeats
suggest about the state of the world in the opening lines?
A) It is improving
B) It is stable
C) It is falling
apart
D) It is peaceful
What does the phrase
“the ceremony of innocence is drowned” imply?
A) Innocence is
celebrated
B) Innocence is lost
C) Innocence is
protected
D) Innocence is
ignored
What does Yeats mean
by “the best lack all conviction”?
A) The best people
are confident
B) The best people
are indifferent
C) The best people
are passionate
D) The best people
are powerful
What is the
significance of the “twenty centuries of stony sleep”?
A) It refers to a
period of peace
B) It refers to a
period of ignorance
C) It refers to a
period of stability
D) It refers to a
period of dormancy and inaction
What does the “vast
image out of Spiritus Mundi” represent?
A) A hopeful vision
B) A personal dream
C) A collective
vision from the world’s spirit
D) A historical
event
What is the mood
created by the description of the “rough beast”?
A) Calm and serene
B) Joyful and
celebratory
C) Ominous and
threatening
D) Indifferent and
detached
What does the phrase
“slouches towards Bethlehem to be born” suggest?
A) A new beginning
B) A reluctant
journey
C) A triumphant
arrival
D) A threatening
emergence
How does Yeats view
the future in the poem?
A) With optimism
B) With indifference
C) With fear and
uncertainty
D) With excitement
Answers:
C) It is falling
apart
B) Innocence is lost
B) The best people
are indifferent
D) It refers to a
period of dormancy and inaction
C) A collective
vision from the world’s spirit
C) Ominous and
threatening
D) A threatening
emergence
C) With fear and
uncertainty
Questions:
What literary device
is used in the phrase “Turning and turning in the widening gyre”?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Alliteration
D) Hyperbole
What does the
“rocking cradle” symbolize in the context of the poem?
A) The birth of a
new hope
B) The disturbance
of a long period of peace
C) The end of
childhood
D) The beginning of
a new war
What is the
significance of the “indignant desert birds” in the poem?
A) They symbolize
freedom
B) They represent
the natural world
C) They signify
foreboding and doom
D) They indicate
peace and tranquility
What does Yeats mean
by “the darkness drops again”?
A) The return of
night
B) The onset of
ignorance
C) The re-emergence
of chaos
D) The end of the
world
What is the tone of
the poem’s conclusion?
A) Hopeful and
uplifting
B) Calm and serene
C) Ominous and
foreboding
D) Joyful and
celebratory
What does the “shape
with lion body and the head of a man” represent?
A) A mythical
creature
B) A symbol of
strength and wisdom
C) A new, terrifying
force
D) A guardian of the
desert
What does Yeats
suggest about the future with the phrase “slouches towards Bethlehem to be
born”?
A) A bright and
promising future
B) A reluctant and
uncertain future
C) A peaceful and
harmonious future
D) A threatening and
ominous future
What does the phrase
“twenty centuries of stony sleep” refer to?
A) The period of
peace after Christ’s birth
B) The period of
ignorance before the Renaissance
C) The period of
dormancy before a new era
D) The period of
enlightenment in history
Answers:
B) Metaphor
B) The disturbance
of a long period of peace
C) They signify
foreboding and doom
C) The re-emergence
of chaos
C) Ominous and
foreboding
C) A new, terrifying
force
D) A threatening and
ominous future
C) The period of
dormancy before a new era
Questions:
What does the phrase
“the centre cannot hold” imply?
A) The centre of the
earth is collapsing
B) Central authority
is losing control
C) The universe is
expanding
D) The centre of a
circle is shifting
What is the
significance of the “vast image out of Spiritus Mundi”?
A) It represents a
personal vision
B) It symbolizes a
collective unconscious vision
C) It depicts a
historical event
D) It illustrates a
natural phenomenon
What does Yeats mean
by “the best lack all conviction”?
A) The best people
are uncertain and passive
B) The best people
are confident and assertive
C) The best people
are indifferent and detached
D) The best people
are passionate and intense
What does the “rough
beast” symbolize in the poem?
A) A new era of
peace
B) A new,
threatening force
C) A mythical
creature
D) A guardian of the
desert
What does the phrase
“slouches towards Bethlehem to be born” suggest about the future?
A) A bright and
promising future
B) A reluctant and
uncertain future
C) A peaceful and
harmonious future
D) A threatening and
ominous future
What is the tone of
the poem’s conclusion?
A) Hopeful and
uplifting
B) Calm and serene
C) Ominous and
foreboding
D) Joyful and
celebratory
What does the
“rocking cradle” symbolize in the context of the poem?
A) The birth of a
new hope
B) The disturbance
of a long period of peace
C) The end of
childhood
D) The beginning of
a new war
What does Yeats
suggest about the state of the world in the opening lines?
A) It is improving
B) It is stable
C) It is falling
apart
D) It is peaceful
Answers:
B) Central authority
is losing control
B) It symbolizes a
collective unconscious vision
A) The best people
are uncertain and passive
B) A new,
threatening force
D) A threatening and
ominous future
C) Ominous and
foreboding
B) The disturbance
of a long period of peace
C) It is falling
apart
Questions:
The poem “The Second
Coming” was written by William Butler Yeats.
A) True
B) False
The falcon in the
poem symbolizes freedom and control.
A) True
B) False
The phrase “Things
fall apart; the centre cannot hold” suggests stability and order.
A) True
B) False
The “blood-dimmed
tide” symbolizes peace and tranquility.
A) True
B) False
Yeats envisions the
“Second Coming” as a hopeful and positive event.
A) True
B) False
The “rough beast”
described in the poem has a lion’s body and a man’s head.
A) True
B) False
The poem reflects
the sense of chaos and disillusionment after World War I.
A) True
B) False
The “rocking cradle”
symbolizes the birth of a new era.
A) True
B) False
The tone of the poem
is joyful and celebratory.
A) True
B) False
“Spiritus Mundi”
refers to the collective spirit or soul of the world.
A) True
B) False
Answers:
A) True
B) False (The falcon
symbolizes chaos and loss of control)
B) False (It
suggests instability and disorder)
B) False (It
symbolizes violence and destruction)
B) False (Yeats
envisions it as a disturbing and ominous event)
A) True
A) True
A) True
B) False (The tone
is ominous and foreboding)
A) True
Questions:
The poem begins with
the image of a falcon flying in widening circles.
A) True
B) False
The phrase “the best
lack all conviction” suggests that the best people are confident and assertive.
A) True
B) False
The “Second Coming”
in the poem is associated with a positive and hopeful event.
A) True
B) False
The “rough beast” in
the poem is described as having a dragon’s body and a man’s head.
A) True
B) False
The poem reflects
Yeats’ belief in the cyclical nature of history.
A) True
B) False
The “indignant
desert birds” symbolize peace and tranquility.
A) True
B) False
The poem was written
in response to the events of World War I.
A) True
B) False
The tone of the poem
is calm and serene.
A) True
B) False
Yeats uses the term
“Spiritus Mundi” to refer to the collective unconscious.
A) True
B) False
The poem ends with
the image of a “rough beast” slouching towards Bethlehem to be born.
A) True
B) False
Answers:
A) True
B) False (It
suggests that the best people are uncertain and passive)
B) False (It is
associated with a disturbing and ominous event)
B) False (It is
described as having a lion’s body and a man’s head)
A) True
B) False (They
symbolize foreboding and doom)
A) True
B) False (The tone
is ominous and foreboding)
A) True
A) True
Questions:
The poem “The Second
Coming” was written in 1919.
A) True
B) False
The phrase “Mere
anarchy is loosed upon the world” suggests a sense of order and stability.
A) True
B) False
The “ceremony of
innocence” being drowned implies that innocence is being celebrated.
A) True
B) False
Yeats uses the term
“Spiritus Mundi” to refer to a personal vision.
A) True
B) False
The “rough beast”
slouching towards Bethlehem is a symbol of hope and renewal.
A) True
B) False
The poem reflects a
sense of optimism about the future.
A) True
B) False
The “twenty
centuries of stony sleep” refers to a period of dormancy and inaction.
A) True
B) False
The poem’s imagery
includes a shape with a lion’s body and a man’s head.
A) True
B) False
The tone of the poem
is ominous and foreboding.
A) True
B) False
The poem suggests
that the world is entering a new cycle of chaos and transformation.
A) True
B) False
Answers:
A) True
B) False (It
suggests chaos and instability)
B) False (It implies
that innocence is being overwhelmed and lost)
B) False (It refers
to a collective vision from the world’s spirit)
B) False (It
symbolizes a new, potentially terrifying force)
B) False (The poem
reflects a sense of fear and uncertainty about the future)
A) True
A) True
A) True
A) True
Comments
Post a Comment