August 18, 2009: Difference between revisions
From Gerald R. Lucas
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A shudder in the loins engenders there | A shudder in the loins engenders there | ||
The broken wall,{{refn|Continuing the images of penetration and destruction—here, this alludes to Troy’s walls being breached by the Argives, but it also suggests that Leda was a virgin.}} the burning roof and tower{{refn|The destruction of Troy.}}{{ln|10}} | The broken wall,{{refn|Continuing the images of penetration and destruction—here, this alludes to Troy’s walls being breached by the Argives, but it also suggests that Leda was a virgin.}} the burning roof and tower{{refn|The destruction of Troy.}}{{ln|10}} | ||
And Agamemnon dead.{{refn|Agamemnon was murdered by Clytemnestra’s lover upon his return from Troy. He pretty much deserved it.}} | And Agamemnon dead.{{refn|Agamemnon was murdered by Clytemnestra’s lover upon his return from Troy. He pretty much deserved it. The fall of Troy and the death of Agamemnon signify the end of an era.}} | ||
{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}Being so caught up, | {{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}{{Sp}}Being so caught up, | ||
So mastered by the brute blood of the air, | So mastered by the brute blood of the air, | ||
Did she put on his knowledge with his power | Did she put on his knowledge with his power | ||
Before the indifferent beak could let her drop?{{refn|Compare this to the ending of “[[The Second Coming]]” where Yeats also asks | Before the indifferent beak could let her drop?{{refn|Compare this to the ending of “[[The Second Coming]]” where Yeats also asks an ambiguous and unanswerable question.}} | ||
</poem> | </poem> | ||
|}</div> | |}</div> | ||
{{Rlnk|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/LitWiki/comments/ | {{Rlnk|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/LitWiki/comments/tvak34/yeats_leda_and_the_swan/}} | ||
{{Notes}} | {{Notes}} | ||
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[[Category:08/2009]] | [[Category:08/2009]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:William Butler Yeats]] | ||
Latest revision as of 09:36, 29 May 2022
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A sudden blow: the great wings beating still |
notes
- ↑ In Greek mythology, Zeus appears to Leda in the form of a swan and rapes her. She gives birth to Helen and Clytemnestra. This act marks the beginning of Greek civilization for Yeats.
- ↑ Continuing the images of penetration and destruction—here, this alludes to Troy’s walls being breached by the Argives, but it also suggests that Leda was a virgin.
- ↑ The destruction of Troy.
- ↑ Agamemnon was murdered by Clytemnestra’s lover upon his return from Troy. He pretty much deserved it. The fall of Troy and the death of Agamemnon signify the end of an era.
- ↑ Compare this to the ending of “The Second Coming” where Yeats also asks an ambiguous and unanswerable question.
