The basic theme of the poem is
the death of the old world, to be followed by the rebirth of a new one
. It draws upon Biblical symbolism of the apocalypse and the second coming of Christ to make its point.
What is the Second Coming based on?
Historical context. The poem was written in 1919 in the aftermath of
the First World War
and the beginning of the Irish War of Independence in January 1919, that followed the Easter Rising in April 1916, at a time before the British Government decided to send in the Black and Tans to Ireland.
What does the second coming symbolize?
Yet for all its metaphorical complexity, “The Second Coming” actually has a relatively simple message: it basically
predicts that time is up for humanity, and that civilization as we know it is about to be undone
. Yeats wrote this poem right after World War I, a global catastrophe that killed millions of people.
What does the falcon symbolize in The Second Coming?
The falcon described in “The Second Coming” is symbolic of
the human race
, specifically in modern times, as it has become disconnected from its roots. When Yeats writes, “[t]he falcon can't hear the falconer,” he means that humanity has lost touch with its original values.
What does Spiritus Mundi mean in The Second Coming?
The term “spiritus mundi” in the second stanza of W. B. Yeats's “The Second Coming” means “
spirit of the world
” and refers to the collective spirit or consciousness of humanity.
What does the rough beast symbolize in The Second Coming?
The work, although seemingly taken quite seriously by Yeats' scholars, is of little value in understanding either meaning in poetry or the meaning of the world, particularly in terms of historical events. … Of great significance in Yeats' poem is the “rough beast,”
apparently the Anti-Christ, who has not been born yet
.
What are the symbols of falcon and falconer in The Second Coming?
The falcon, separated from the falconer, is lost: without reason, without ruler, without larger cause. It is
a symbol for a lost humanity
, at the mercy of uncontrollable forces. The falcon, in short, is all of us, wandering around the earth, trying to find meaning.
Why is Spiritus Mundi important in The Second Coming?
The Second Coming. Yeats uses the term Spiritus Mundi in his poem ”The Second Coming. … Yeats wrote the poem after World War I, when many Europeans were reeling from
the devastating violence and effects of the war's destruction
. To some, it may have symbolized an apocalypse.
What is the rocking cradle in The Second Coming?
Although 2,000 years seems like a long time to us, Yeats compares it to a single night of an infant's sleep, which is suddenly “vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle.” The cradle
reinforces the image that something has recently been “born
,” and its motion also serves as a metaphor for social upheaval.
How does the repetition of the phrase The Second Coming?
PART A: How does the repetition of the phrase “The Second Coming” in lines 10-11 contribute to the tone of the poem? The repetition
emphasizes the speaker's worry and contributes to the fearful tone.
Which of the following best reflects the central message of The Second Coming?
the mind's eternal life. Which best reflects the central message of “The Second Coming”?
A dark future is foreshadowed by the violence of the present.
What are Falcons a symbol of?
Falcons are known for their formidable speed and strength, sharp eyesight, lethal nature, and deadly hunting skills. To us, falcons symbolize
ambition and aspiration, superiority and dominance, freedom and victory
. It represents the fight against our fears as well as a metaphor for clear vision.
What is the spiritual Mundi?
Filters. (sometimes capitalized) The spirit, outlook, point of view, or social and cultural values characteristic of an era of human history. noun.
What is the theme of the poem The Second Coming?
The basic theme of the poem is
the death of the old world, to be followed by the rebirth of a new one
. It draws upon Biblical symbolism of the apocalypse and the second coming of Christ to make its point. However, Yeats poses the question of what will be born out of this overwhelming chaos.
What beast slouches toward Bethlehem?
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
William Butler Yeats
, widely considered one of the greatest poets of the English language, received the 1923 Nobel Prize for Literature.
What is yeast claim about The Second Coming?
Yeats's claim about the Second Coming is that
it will not be a day of peace and salvation, but rather one of fear and reckoning
. According to Yeats, it will be a day when nature is disturbed, when good people are apathetic, and when evil comes home to roost.
