William Butler Yeats's poem 'Sailing to Byzantium' delves into the themes of ageing, the quest for immortality, and the permanence of art. At 62, Yeats reflects on his own life, using rich literary devices to contrast the vitality of youth with the wisdom of age. The poem's journey to Byzantium symbolizes the search for eternal wisdom and the transformative power of art to achieve immortality.
Show More
Yeats uses the poem to reflect on his own ageing process at the age of 62
Ottava rima structure
The use of ottava rima creates a contrast between the grandiosity of historical epics and the personal journey of an individual grappling with ageing
Vivid imagery
The vivid imagery in the poem highlights the tension between the decline of old age and the vibrancy of youth
The poem explores the speaker's longing to transcend the physical limitations of old age and attain a form of immortality through the soul and art
The poem reflects Yeats' deep interest in spiritual matters through its exploration of the quest for higher understanding and artistic achievement
Symbolism of Byzantium
Byzantium symbolizes the fusion of the spiritual and the artistic, representing the speaker's desire to join a legacy that surpasses mortal existence
Golden artifacts as a symbol
The golden artifacts in the poem represent the speaker's ambition to achieve an enduring and exalted form through art
The poem suggests that art can offer a means of transcending the fleeting nature of human life and securing a place in the continuum of culture and thought
00
In 1928, the Irish poet ______ wrote 'Sailing to Byzantium,' which delves into the themes of ______ and the quest for ______.
William Butler Yeats
ageing
immortality
01
The poem 'Sailing to Byzantium' is organized into four ______ and follows the ______ rhyme scheme, reflecting the structure of ______ narratives.
octets
abababcc
epic
02
Poem's structure in 'Sailing to Byzantium'
Ottava rima with iambic pentameter; melds lyrical flow with narrative progression.
