When You Are Old
Poetry
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William Butler Yeats
When You Are Old Full Poem
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down bes...
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When You Are Old Key Facts
Key Facts
Full Title: When You Are Old
Writer: William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939)
Written Date: 1891
Published Date: 1893
Tone: Melancholy
Ge...
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When You Are Old Summary
Summary
Picture of Old Age: The poem begins with the image of an old woman sitting by the fire. She is tired, sleepy, and grey-haired. The poet asks her to take down a book and read it slowly. The book reminds her of her youth and her past beauty. It also makes her remember the time when her eyes were soft and full of life.
Memory of Y...
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When You are Old Themes
Themes
The Power of True Love: The poem contrasts superficial love for beauty with deep spiritual love. Yeats shows that true love values the soul, not appearance, and remains constant even when youth and beauty fade with time.
The Passage of Time and Regret: Yeats reflects on aging and lost opportuni...
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When You Are Old Literary Devices
In "When You Are Old" by W.B. Yeats, literary devices enrich the poem's meaning and impact. Some significant literary devices in the poem include:
Imagery: The poem is rich in visual imagery, mainly depicting the person in their old age, sitting by the fire and reading. There is also a vivid image of Love fleeing and hiding among the stars. It contributes to the overall emotion...
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When You Are Old Quotes
Quote
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“But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.”
“When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And...
Discuss Yeats As a Poet of Love with Reference to Some of His Poems.
Discuss Yeats as a poet of love with reference to some of his poems. [2020, 2017]
Or, Illustrate W.B. Yeats as a poet of love. [2015] ✪✪✪
Modern poets usually deal with the themes of alienation and fragmentation in their poetry. However, William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) is a little different. Love is the main force that moves most of his poem...
Expand Discuss Yeats As a Poet of Love with Reference to Some of His Poems.
What Romantic Elements Do You Find in the Poems of W.B. Yeats?
What romantic elements do you find in the poems of W.B. Yeats? [2018]
W.B. Yeats (1865-1939) is one of the greatest poets of modern English literature. Though he lived in the modern age, his heart was deeply romantic. His early poems are full of imagination, beauty, and dreams. He loved nature, mystery, and old Irish legends. His poems express emotions mo...
Expand What Romantic Elements Do You Find in the Poems of W.B. Yeats?