blow the great wings beating still Above the staggering girl her thighs caressed Focus on the Individual Yeats's work often investigates themes of individuality and self-expression hallmarks of Romanticism However his approach is distinctly modern It highlights the complexities and contradictions of the self His poems often feature fragmented and shifting perspectives It reveals the instability of modern identity Form Another way Yeats combines Romanticism with Modernism is through his poetic form His poetry often employs traditional poetic forms such as the sonnet and ballad He also pushes the boundaries of these forms by using unconventional rhyme schemes and meter He also created his own poetic forms such as the Byzantium which reflect his interest in mythology and the supernatural Political Engagement Yeats was deeply engaged with the political and social issues of his time This engagement is reflected in his poetry Romantic poets often use personal or abstract themes Yeats uses romantic elements to comment on the political issues of his time such as the Irish struggle for independence At the same time he does so in a poetic language that is rich with imagery and symbolism It reflects his Romantic sensibilities In his poem The Second Coming he uses imagery to depict the uncertainty of the modern world Things fall apart the centre cannot hold Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world The Supernatural Yeats believed in the supernatural and often explored occult themes in his work This is another aspect of his writing that reflects Romanticism Romantics were interested in the supernatural and the mysterious However Yeats also uses these themes with a modern sensibility He uses them to explore the uncertainties and anxieties of the modern world Conclusion Yeats's poetry is a rich and complex blend of Romantic and Modernist elements He draws on the traditions of the past He also innovates and experiments with the form and language he creates in his poetry It is deeply personal and highly relevant to the concerns of his time