Easter 1916
Poetry
|
William Butler Yeats
Easter 1916 Full Poem
I have met them at close of day
Coming with vivid faces
From counter or desk among grey
Eighteenth-century houses.
I have passed with a nod of the head
Or polite meaningless words,
Or have lingered awhile and said
Polite meaningless words,
And thought before I had done
Of a mocking tale or a gibe
To please a companion
Around the fire at the club,
Being certain that they and I
But lived where m...
Read Easter 1916 Full Poem
Easter 1916 Key Facts
Key Facts
Full Title: Easter, 1916
Author: William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
Title of the Author: The Last Romantic Poet & Irish National Poet
Prize: Nobel Prize (1923)
Source: Inspired by the Easter Rising of April 1916, a rebellion against British rule in Ireland
Written Time: September 1916 (a few months after the rebellion and executions)
First Published: It was first publish...
Expand Easter 1916 Key Facts
Easter 1916 Summary
Summary
Stanza 1: Ordinary People but Extraordinary Outcome: In this stanza, the poet says that he used to see some people every day—people he knew, ordinary city folk. Among them were teachers, politicians, and social workers. They worked together, talked, and laughed. The poet says he did not give them much importance. Even though he spoke with them, he did not have much respect for them in his...
Expand Easter 1916 Summary
Easter, 1916 Themes
Themes
Change and Transformation: The poem shows how normal people became heroes. Their simple lives changed after they died for their country. Everything feels different now. The poet says, "All changed, changed utterly."
Sacrifice and Heroism: The people in the poem gave their lives in the Easter Rising. Their sacrifice was painful but brave. The poet honors their courage. He calls it a "te...
Expand Easter, 1916 Themes
Easter 1916 Literary Devices
Symbols
Terrible Beauty: This means something both scary and beautiful. The rising caused pain but also a new hope for Ireland.
Green: Green is the color of Ireland. When Yeats says “wherever green is worn,” he means all Irish people.
Hearts with One Purpose: This shows the rebels had only one goal—to free Ireland. Their hearts were focused and strong.
Sacrifice: The act of giving life fo...
Expand Easter 1916 Literary Devices
Easter 1916 Quotations
Quotes
“All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.”
Explanation: The poet says everything has changed completely. A new, strange but powerful thing has started because of the sacrifice.
“Too long a sacrifice
Can make a stone of the heart.”
Explanation: The poet says that sacrificing too much can make a person hard and cold inside. It shows the pain of a long struggle.
“Hearts w...
Expand Easter 1916 Quotations
Easter 1916 Character
Characters
The Speaker (Poetic Persona): He is the voice of the poem. He thinks deeply about the people and their sacrifice.
Countess Markievicz: She was once a rich lady. She joined the rebels and became brave.
Patrick Pearse: He was a teacher and poet. He became a leader of the rising.
Thomas MacDonagh: He was also a teacher and writer. He joined the fight for freedom.
John MacBride:...
Expand Easter 1916 Character
Notes
Explore 5 detailed notes related to Easter 1916. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.