"By the dark webs, her napes caught his bill"
Yeats' poem 'Leda and the Swan' was supposedly written in 1923 during the period of Irish Civil War although it was published in 1928, it was a time of confusion and division in Ireland. 'Leda and the Swan' symbolises the conflicting relationship between Ireland and Britain during the early 20th century, this conflict is shown through Yeats' use of violence and godly image through the swan and the loss of innocence through Leda. 'Leda and the Swan' is based off Greek mythology when Zeus disguises himself as a swan and rapes Leda, resulting in the birth of two demi-gods, Helen and Pollux and two mortal children, Castor and Clytemnestra. The swan also metaphorically represents the power of Britain while Leda represents the vulnerability of Ireland.
Throughout the entire poem Yeats conveys this image of godly power and imagery through the act of rape carried out by the swan. The "great wings" of the swan describe the sheer size creating this image of immense strength which overpowers Leda. This line could also suggest that this swan is larger than average size, this depicts the image of godly power because Zeus is a more impressive and powerful being than a human. This imagery of godly power is further portrayed when the swan is described as a "feathered glory", this shows the swan as a majestic and glorified creature, however the act in which the swan partakes is far from glorious because it is sinful. This godly image perceived by the swan is further depicted when Leda takes on his "knowledge with his power" which shows the swan as omniscient, much like that of a god, this quote also shows how Leda has accepted the fact that she is unable to do anything in this situation as he is a god who is much more powerful than herself. This godly imagery is also presented in 'The Cold Heaven' where Yeats describes his heartbroken feelings as "injustice of the skies", showing that, like Leda, what has happened is at fault of the gods and not themselves. Yeats metaphorically uses the swan to symbolise the immense power of Britain and its exploitation and control over Ireland- which is shown through the rape. Yeats also relates the poem to Greek mythology of the relationship between Zeus and Leda which was one of power and control. Yeats uses this godly imagery of power and control to make the reader fearful of Zeus through his dominance of Leda. This use of godly imagery allows the swan to use violence and destruction to control and force Leda into submission.
The octave of the poem shows the struggle and violence of the joining of the swan and Leda through the rape and the control the swan possesses. Yeats continuously uses the theme of violence throughout the poem through the act of the swan. The caesura of "blow" emphasises the impact and surprise felt by Leda, that is reiterated by the use of "sudden" which shows that the presence of the swan was unexpected and forceful as it knocks Leda down. This shock that Leda experiences is further shown when she is "staggering" which shows the force that the swan hit Leda with as it was able to knock her off balance, showing the swan as immensely strong. This image of violence is further shown when the swan "holds her helpless breast upon his breast" which shows that the strength of the swan has left Leda unable to do anything and vulnerable to the violence and strength of the swan. Yeats' use of alliteration in "brute blood" shows how merciless and destructive the swan is in its brutal nature and approach to Leda, the swan has "mastered" this act of violence which shows the power of the swan. The swan installs many feelings in a "terrified" Leda which shows that the violence inflicted by the swan has rendered Leda helpless and in complete fear. Similar feelings are also shown in the poem 'The Cold Heaven' where Yeats describes said that he "cried and trembled". In the sestet of the poem, Leda "being so caught up" has been left helpless and vulnerable by the swan after its violent attacks, the line itself is isolated which could depict how the control of the swan has left Leda feeling and that is too late for her to do anything now, the isolation of the line could also suggest that Leda is showing acceptance that she can't do anything, which is why it is in the sestet of the poem as she as overcome the violence of the swan and the struggle and is accepting what is happening to her. The last line "before the indifferent beak could let her drop?" shows the uncaring and brutal nature of swan as it has become "indifferent" as to say that it has got what is wanted and that Leda is of no use or importance anymore. This line also shows the release of Ireland from Britain as an independent country. The words "indifferent beak" shows that it was destined to be chaotic and violent. Therefore ‘Leda and the Swan’ can be seen simply as England’s ‘rape’ of Ireland. This violence displayed by the swan towards Leda makes the reader sympathise for Leda under the circumstances but also extremely fearful of the brute violence of the swan. The brutality and the ferocity of the swan forces the loss of innocence and entrapment upon Leda through his violent act of rape.
Yeats consistently uses Leda's loss of innocence and entrapment to show the control that the swan obtains over her. Leda's loss of innocence leaves her vulnerable and susceptible to the swan's attacks. "The broken wall, the burning roof and tower" symbolises the breaking of the hymen when the swan rapes her, it also symbolises the Trojan War in Greek mythology when Helen was captured by the Trojans, the war lasted ten years. "Broken" and "burning" show the destruction and corruption that the swan has caused Leda and well has her loss of purity and innocence through the sinful act. A similar situation can be found in 'The Stolen Child" when the child's loss of innocence is shown through the "reddest stolen cherries" which has connotations of rape and corruption like 'Leda and the Swan'. The entrapment of Leda is shown when the swan traps her "by the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill". "Dark webs" has connotations of danger and evil showing that Leda is trapped and can't escape from the swan. "Caught" tells us how Leda is trapped but also shows the immense strength of swan as he has caught her with his beak rendering her helpless and vulnerable. Leda's loss of innocence and entrapment is symbolic of the conflicting relationship between Britain and Ireland when it was part of United Kingdom and was being exploited through Britain with potato farming. Leda's vulnerability through her loss of virginity and entrapment makes the reader continue to feel sympathetic towards her as it was acted out through force in which she could not stop from happening because she was weaker than the swan.
In conclusion, control is continuously depicted throughout 'Leda and the Swan' through the violence inflicted upon Leda and the sinful act of rape, the loss of innocence and entrapment forced upon Leda through the brute strength of the swan, and the godly imagery and power depicted through the swan who is Zeus. Leda is left powerless, corrupted and vulnerable at the end of the poem but accepts that what has happened to her was out of her control. Therefore control is represented through the lack of it that Leda has and the large amount that the swan obtains over her.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Man’s supposed dominion over animals is far from absolute. In 2013, John Bradford, who had been the elephant manager at Dickerson Park Zoo for 25 years, was killed by one of the female elephants he had raised since 1990 while guiding her to a barnyard stall [1]. In the light of stories like this, one must question the extent of our control over animals and our own place as living creatures on this planet. Dominion is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as, “supreme authority,” or, “absolute ownership [2].” It seems that the use of this term in Genesis [3] to describe man’s relationship with animals is either outdated or inappropriate. The true relationship between human and non-human animals is one much more complex and undefined, hinging…
- 1129 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
In the poem, there is one line that suggests Leda acquired the knowledge that Zeus holds, “Did she put on his knowledge with his power” (Yeats, 92). The knowledge that Leda now holds could be seen as a gift. Some think that…
- 686 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
William Butler Yeats' poem "The Wild Swans at Coole" tells of a man who, in the autumn, would visit this pool of water that was a resting place for a flock of swans. He visits them one autumn but does not return for 19 years, "The nineteenth autumn has come upon me since I first made my count." Yeats uses simple diction so he does not distract from the empasis on the swans themselves. Words like; "Clamorous" (line 12) and "Bell-beat" (line 17) describe the nature of the swan's wings, the sounds they make and the effect the sound has on him. The details that Yeats gives about the swans, help the reader to visualize what the speaker is seeing. "The trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry." tells us the season that the poem is set and gives us a picture of the speakers surroundings. "I have looked upon these creature and now my heart is sore." The speaker is very fond of these swans, that is why he visits them and watches their continuing cycle of coming and going.…
- 1251 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
The overall metaphor of the speaker as a sparrow, however, serves a different purpose and is used to accentuate her femininity. It is very obvious that, at least in the speakers eyes, her parents would have loved her much more if she were male: ?If only I were a son [?] / I would see the light in my mother?s / eyes, or the golden pride reflected / in my father?s dream / of my wide, male hands [?]? (10-14). So, throughout the poem the speaker expresses her perceived weakness as a woman by comparing herself to a sparrow, a small and delicate bird. An example of this can be seen in lines thirty six through forty: ?It is snowing steadily / surely not good weather / for flying ? this sparrow / sillied and dizzied by the wind / on the edge.? These lines create a strong image of the frail bird being…
- 965 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Each section begins with a bold phrase that summarizes the event. A sudden blow' initiates the octave and a shudder in the loins' the sestet. The octave is written in the present tense. The first three lines of the sestet look to the future, Agamemnon dead'. The last three lines look back on the violent encounter. The two-part structure is repeated again in the grammatical construction. Each half contains two sentences, each a complete stanza. The first and third sentences are declarations, the second and fourth are interrogations. Yeats uses the alternating statements and questions to lead the reader to alternate identifying with the swan during the affirmative sentences and Leda in the interrogative ones.…
- 497 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
During the seventh stanza, a raven presents itself as a symbol of the narrators’ subconscious by perching itself on a bust of the Greek God Pallas, whom was the God of Wisdom, which articulates the birds’ significance. As the poem progresses the narrator commences the progression of the five stages of grief. He begins to bargain in stanza nine, which almost slips to anger in stanza twelve, yet he maintains composure long enough to hit that stage in stanza fifteen. However, the narrator begins to reach a point of acceptance in stanza nineteen when they state the raven is sitting above their chamber door, yet further states their soul shall continue floating on the floor as if their mind has not fully let go. This means the narrator may slip back into a depressive state, which further shows how the mind copes with loss, through the five stages of grief, in a non-linear fashion.…
- 980 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
“Never had he yet managed to grasp a peak, Nor lift even once his towering forehead. He sank deeper in the dark and the mist” (Hugo) This quote from the poem says to me in a way that the writing is that of a struggle. The words “never had he yet managed to grasp a peak” show me that the main character is in a constant struggle with something. He is in a battle where he has yet to gain ground and hold himself up on his journey. This being only in the beginning of the work, I have not yet found what he is struggling for. Moving on further into the poem, it speaks of “his feathered wing” behind him. This use of the imagery of a wing on the main character has lead me to believe that the main character is an angel, and the struggle that he is facing is that he is trying to stray away from satan, and having a very difficult time in trying to complete this difficult task.…
- 735 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
William Butler Yeats’s “The Cap and Bells” depicts the behavior of love through an account of actions between a jester and a queen. Through the use of many symbolic references, the characters accurately reflect a lover’s actions towards his loved one. For example when Referring to jester-like men throughout many of his works (“A Coat”, “The Fool by the Roadside”, “Two Songs of a Fool”, etc.), Yeats is continually portraying the actions of humans towards love as foolish. Furthermore, "Cap and Bells came to Yeats in a dream most likely steaming from his obsessive infatuation he had for Maud Gonne. Being an acclaimed actress, Yeats most likely perceived Gonne as exceeding him in status; her queen and him the jester. Like many of Yeats poems, “The Cap and Bells” develops a lyrical tone full of emotion and images. Through this song-like piece, the reader strongly feels both the growing despondency of the jester and the eventual affection in the queen. Through his strong use of symbolism and imagery, Yeats suggests that love makes a fool of every man. From forfeiting the soul, the heart, and finally physical life, Yeats emphasizes mans’ willingness to sacrifice all the elements of his existence to feel the complete and irresistible passions of love. Throughout “The Cap and Bells” Yeats constantly uses symbolism to express various elements of love. With the whole poem existing as a subtle analogy. As Yeats opens with “The jester walked into the garden” he immediately establishes the idea of the garden of Eden as it is the first place of affection and romance between man and woman. As the garden “falls still”, Yeats also depicts the balance between nature and love. Continuing, we read how the jester “bade his soul rise upward.” Here, the man is offering his soul to rise to the queen who is above him both physically and in social status. It rises in a “straight blue garment” until it…
- 1375 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Example: “ A shudder in the loins engenders there The broken wall, the burning roof and tower And Agamemnon dead.” and basically the whole sonnet.…
- 459 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Great Depression The early 1920’s was first known as the roaring twenties. Everything in America seemed to be going great. There was new inventions, more factories and industrialization! People were using credit, stock prices were rising it seemed as if nothing could go wrong. That was until the late 1920’s and everything started to slowly fall apart and then the economy all fell all at once.…
- 477 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
He was an Irish poet and playwright who possessed a passionate feeling of Irish Nationalism. This Irish identity constantly shaped his role as a writer in society. He wrote about subjects pertaining to Irish Heritage and remembered the men that helped and served that country. Through the poems “September 1913”, “Easter 1916”, and “Under Ben Bulben” we gain a sense of what Yeats’ Irish identity meant to him. He wrote about subjects that deeply affected the Irish people, motivating them to take action and make changes. There were times when he felt disappointed in the Irishmen, but all that was cast off after the 1916 rebellion. He saw light at the end of the tunnel, one that kept growing brighter and brighter, until he witnessed Ireland’s freedom from Britain in 1922. Yeats’ Irish identity shaped his whole life and he surrounded himself with people who also shared the same sense of identity. It is this identity, his Irish identity, which shaped the majority of his…
- 1951 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
When we look at Leda and the Swan throughout history we see the theme of love and sensuality. It seems that through history it has become more acceptable to show these themes with an animal rather than with another human being. In art history there are few depictions of men and women together the same way Leda and the Swan are. Today we have seen a change in this attitude. In art and especially on T.V we see more of love and sensuality between women and men. Although it may be acceptable to portray women and men in a way such as Leda and the Swan on T.V it is still frowned upon in public. Most people do not like public displays of affection. If we look at the way we treats our pets in public smothering them with affection we can see times…
- 204 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
The birds take on a comedic role in which their eager, yet blind, submission to Pithetaerus only contradicts his clumsy overstressed actions. The birds describe Pithetaerus as a man who is “all successful more than tongue can tell” (line 1) and his new robes “outshine all the golden lights, that beam from heaven” (lines 24-25). These repetitive uses of hyperboles only evoke laughter once the subject of their amazement prances onto stage. After observing Pithetaerus’ behavior, it is obvious that he is not worthy to obtain the power of Zeus. The rhyming scheme adds an even greater affect to the idea. The birds carefully speak with beautiful poetic language. Such diction, however, only introduces a man who cannot even hold a lightening bolt. After attempting to proclaim his moment as king he “gingerly tosses the thunderbolt away” (lines 39-40). This is the same man who is being presented as a God who can “shake the Earth with his almighty powers” (lines 43-44). In reality, the “the lightning’s angry flashes of fire” frighten Pithetaerus (line 30). The description of the thunderbolt is one of the most powerful images presented by the birds. So powerful that it gives the thunderbolt more strength than Pithetaerus himself. The birds honor their king as “the only man—who never fails” (line 16). This hyperbole once again, contradicts the final image of Pithetaerus ineptly tossing the…
- 356 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Figure of speech, rhyme, and irony is used to show how the elder sister is the first to bloom and receive a greater reaction than her younger sister. The figure of speech, simile, is used when the speaker is comparing the growth of hers and her sister 's body. The speaker says, “I look at her / body and think how her breasts were the first to / rise, slowly, like swans on a pond” (11-13). The simile in this quote is the elder sister 's breast being compared to swans. The speaker is explaining her sister 's transformation from childhood to womanhood as beautiful, because swans are symbolic for beauty and transformation. However, she continues to say, "By the time mine came along, they were just / two more birds on the flock,” (14-15) revealing that the growth of her own breasts is not as special to, most likely, her parents, since they already witnessed her elder sister 's growth first and know what to expect. The poem 's rhyme scheme helps demonstrate this theme. In line 14, the speaker mentions entering puberty and uses the words “time” and “mine” as near rhymes, which suggest that her breasts forming isn 't exactly astonishing, but the exact rhyme words “mound” and “ground” in lines 16-17 are perfect, matching sounds, which represents the elder sister 's exciting transformation. Line 13 includes some internal rhymes, such as the alliteration of the “s” in “slowly” and “swans,” and the consonance of the letter “n” inside them,…
- 878 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Swan Lake is a globally well-known ballet choreographed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. He composed the ballet in the late 1880s. Even though it failed miserably initially, Swan Lake is now considered the renowned classical ballet piece among the many others. I personally grew up watching numerous Swan Lake plays.…
- 477 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays