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    The Second Coming

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    Antony Wu
    The poem The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats reflects on the chaos and uncertainty of the post-World War 1 world and the cyclical nature of history, describing a malevolent force emerging through apocalyptic and surreal imagery to bring havoc to the world.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    The Second Coming

    Uploaded by

    Antony Wu
    74 views2 pages
    The poem The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats reflects on the chaos and uncertainty of the post-World War 1 world and the cyclical nature of history, describing a malevolent force emerging through apocalyptic and surreal imagery to bring havoc to the world.

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    The second coming

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    The poem The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats reflects on the chaos and uncertainty of the post-World War 1 world and the cyclical nature of history, describing a malevolent force emerging through apocalyptic and surreal imagery to bring havoc to the world.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    74 views2 pages

    The Second Coming

    Uploaded by

    Antony Wu
    The poem The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats reflects on the chaos and uncertainty of the post-World War 1 world and the cyclical nature of history, describing a malevolent force emerging through apocalyptic and surreal imagery to bring havoc to the world.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    "The Second Coming" is a poem by William Butler Yeats, written in 1919 in the

    aftermath of World War I. It is one of Yeats's most famous works and is widely regarded as a

    masterpiece of modernist poetry. The poem is complex and open to multiple interpretations,

    but it is often seen as a reflection on the chaos and uncertainty of the post-war world and a

    meditation on the cyclical nature of history.

    Here is a brief analysis of the poem's major themes and imagery:

    1. **Historical Context**: Written in the aftermath of World War I, a time of great

    upheaval and disillusionment, the poem reflects the sense of disorientation and anxiety that

    pervaded the period. The phrase "the center cannot hold" suggests a world in chaos, where

    traditional values and institutions are breaking down.

    2. **Apocalyptic Imagery**: The poem is filled with imagery of destruction and

    chaos, evoking the biblical idea of the apocalypse. Yeats describes a "rough beast" slouching

    towards Bethlehem to be born, a chilling image of some malevolent force or figure emerging

    to wreak havoc on the world.

    3. **Symbolism**: The "rough beast" has been interpreted in various ways, but it is

    often seen as a symbol of evil or tyranny, representing the dark forces that threaten to engulf

    humanity. The phrase "a second coming" suggests a new era or epoch, but one characterized

    by turmoil and upheaval rather than renewal and redemption.


    4. **Cyclical History**: Yeats believed in the cyclical nature of history, with patterns

    repeating themselves over time. The poem reflects this belief, suggesting that the chaos and

    destruction of the present era are merely a recurrence of similar events from the past.

    5. **Spiritual Crisis**: The poem grapples with questions of faith and spirituality in

    the face of overwhelming chaos and uncertainty. The "falcon" and the "blood-dimmed tide"

    symbolize the loss of innocence and the descent into violence and barbarism.

    6. **Language and Imagery**: Yeats's use of vivid, evocative imagery and powerful

    language contributes to the poem's impact. The imagery is often surreal and dreamlike,

    heightening the sense of unease and disorientation.

    Overall, "The Second Coming" is a powerful and haunting meditation on the state of

    the world and the human condition. It explores themes of chaos, violence, and spiritual crisis,

    while also suggesting the possibility of redemption and renewal amidst the darkness.

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