William Butler Yeats wrote “The Second Coming” in 1919, soon after the end of World
War I
, known at the time as “The Great War” because it was the biggest war yet fought and “The War to End All Wars” because it was so horrific that its participants dearly hoped it would be the last war.
What inspired The Second Coming?
Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming” describes complete anarchy, inspired by
the breakdown of society in a post-Russian Revolution and post-World War I world
.
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 is the purpose of The Second Coming by Yeats?
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 is the main theme of 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 does the rough beast symbolize in The Second Coming?
What does the rough beast symbolize in the Second Coming? The poem is alluding to the Book of Revelation. The “rough beast” is
the Anti-Christ
. … “Turning and turning in the widening gyre” also alludes to the view of a cyclical nature of history expressed elsewhere by the poet.
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 happens when the speaker mentions The Second Coming?
Immediately after the speaker mentions it,
he sees a beast emerging from the desert
. The beast is emerging from “Spiritus Mundi” which is Latin for “the spirit of the world.” So the beast is emerging from the way we people are today. So this new vision is a horrible one.
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 does The Second Coming end with a question?
The poem ends with a question
because we cannot know this monster or the punishments it will inflict upon us
.
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.
What is the meaning of the Second Coming?
Second Coming, also called Second Advent or Parousia, in Christianity,
the future return of Christ in glory, when it is understood that he will set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful, living and dead
.
How is the second coming ironic?
Irony: A sphinx isn’t a Christian symbol. Seems to be pitiless and malevolent , the
Second coming is supposed to be benevolent
! Desert Landscape: signifies that new era is one that is lifeless and dry.
What literary devices has Yeats used in the Second Coming?
repetition
: While the poem doesn’t use a conventional rhyme scheme, Yeats builds a sense of rhythm, especially in the beginning of the poem, by repeating words such as “turning,” “surely,” and “Second Coming.” simile: Simile is a comparison using like or as.
What is the best and the worst in the poem The Second Coming?
Yeats is referring to sides in the Irish political conflict, complaining that “the best” won’t commit to a full-out rebellion against the English, while
the worst are loud and boisterous
, but ineffective in their actual actions.
