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 beside the glowin...
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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
Genre: Love poem or a lyric poem.
Rhyme Scheme: ABBA, CDDC, EFFE
Total Lines: 12 lines
Stanza: 3 stanzas
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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 Youth: Yeats wants her to dream of her younger days. He asks he...
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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 opportunities in love. The poem suggests that physical beauty and human life are temporary. One may regret...
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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 emotional tone of the poem....
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When You Are Old Quotes
Quote
“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 nodding by the fire, take down this book.”
“And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.”
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Notes
Explore 2 detailed notes related to When You Are Old. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.