Or, “Sailing to Byzantium” deals with Yeats' journey from the sensual to the spiritual world. – Discuss. [NU: 2020]
W. B. Yeats (1865-1939) is one of the greatest poets in English literature. He loved beauty, art, and deep thoughts. He believed that the soul is more important than the body. In his old age, he wrote many poems about growing old and searching for spiritual peace. One of his greatest poems is “Sailing to Byzantium” (1928). This poem shows his journey from the world of the body to the world of the soul. This poem is connected with other poems like:
- “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” – about peace in nature.
- “The Second Coming” – about chaos in the modern world.
- “Among School Children” – about aging and the soul.
But “Sailing to Byzantium” is different. Here, Yeats wants to leave the world of youth and go to a place of art and soul – Byzantium.
Central Idea of the Poem: The main idea of the poem is the journey from the physical world to the spiritual world. Yeats is now old. He feels ignored in a world full of young people. He says:
“That is no country for old men.”
He means young people only love fun, love, and nature. They don’t care about the soul. But Yeats wants something more. He wants to leave this world and go to Byzantium. Byzantium is an old city full of holy art and wisdom. So he says,
“And therefore I have sailed the seas and come
To the holy city of Byzantium.”
In Byzantium, he will be free from the pain of aging. He will not be trapped in a dying body. Instead, his soul will live forever through art. He says:
“Once out of nature I shall never take
My bodily form from any natural thing.”
He wants to become like a golden bird, made by artists. That bird will never die. It will sing songs of soul and wisdom in the king’s palace.
Form, Meter, Rhyme Scheme: The poem has 4 stanzas, each with 8 lines. The lines are in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is ABABABCC in each stanza. This gives the poem a musical and serious tone. This is perfect for its deep message.
Symbols & Imagery: Yeats uses many symbols in the poem. Each symbol has a special meaning.
- Byzantium: A holy city of art, soul, and peace.
- Golden Bird: A symbol of immortal art and spirit.
- Holy fire: A symbol of purification of the soul.
- Salmon and birds: They show the natural cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
These images help us understand the poet’s desire to leave the world of the body and enter the world of the soul.
Language and Tone: The language is rich and poetic, but also full of emotion. Yeats uses big ideas in simple words. His tone is:
- Sad – because of aging and weakness.
- Hopeful – for a better world of soul and art.
- Serious and respectful – for the wise men of Byzantium.
He says shows respect to the wise in such a way,
“O sages standing in God’s holy fire
As in the gold mosaic of a wall.”
This line shows his great respect for the wise and spiritual men of the past.
“Sailing to Byzantium” is a very deep and beautiful poem. It shows Yeats’ search for immortality, not in the body, but in the soul and in art. He wants peace, wisdom, and eternal life beyond the world of nature and time. The poem teaches us that life is short, but art and soul are forever.
Continue Reading
Subscribe to access the full content
Upgrade to Premium