‘The Second Coming’ by William Butler Yeats: Significance of the title

‘The Second Coming’ by William Butler Yeats | (Significance of the title)

Q. Bring out the significance of the title of Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming”.

Answer: William Butler Yeats' poem "The Second Coming" is one of the most famous and widely studied poems in modern literature. The title of the poem is significant in several ways and contributes to our understanding of the poem's themes and ideas.

Firstly, the title "The Second Coming" refers to the idea of the second coming of Christ, which is a central concept in Christian theology. However, Yeats uses the title ironically, as the poem does not express hope or faith in a second coming of Christ, but rather a sense of despair and foreboding about the future of humanity.

Secondly, the title alludes to the historical and cultural context in which the poem was written. The poem was written in 1919, shortly after the end of World War I, a time of great upheaval and social change. The title "The Second Coming" can be interpreted as a reference to the end of an old order and the beginning of a new era, marked by uncertainty and chaos.

Thirdly, the title refers to the poem's central image of a "rough beast" slouching towards Bethlehem to be born. This image is a powerful symbol of the forces of darkness and chaos that threaten to overwhelm the world. The beast represents the destructive forces of history, while Bethlehem represents the birthplace of Christ and the hope of salvation. The title of the poem thus emphasizes the poem's themes of historical cycles, destruction, and the search for meaning in a chaotic and uncertain world.

Additionally, the title "The Second Coming" can be seen as a reference to Yeats' own belief in the cyclical nature of history. Yeats believed that history moved in cycles, with periods of order and stability followed by periods of chaos and destruction. The title of the poem reflects this belief, as it suggests that the world is once again on the brink of a period of upheaval and chaos, similar to the fall of the Roman Empire or the French Revolution.

Moreover, the title's significance can also be related to Yeats' interest in the occult and mysticism. Yeats was deeply interested in the ideas of spiritualism, astrology, and theosophy, and believed that the end of the world was imminent. The title of the poem can be seen as a reference to the idea of the apocalypse, or the end of the world as we know it, which was a central concept in many of Yeats' mystical beliefs.

Furthermore, the title "The Second Coming" also emphasizes the poem's themes of the search for meaning and the struggle for redemption. The poem suggests that in a world that seems to be descending into chaos and darkness, the only hope lies in the power of the human spirit to find meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, the title of Yeats' poem "The Second Coming" is significant in several ways. It alludes to the concept of the second coming of Christ, but uses the title ironically to express a sense of despair and foreboding about the future of humanity. The title also alludes to the historical context in which the poem was written, and emphasizes the poem's themes of historical cycles, destruction, and the search for meaning in a chaotic and uncertain world.

*****

👉 Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh: Significance of the arrival of the train

👉 The Shadow Lines by Amitav Ghosh: Portrayal of the newly formed nation-states

👉 Manto's 'Toba Tek Sing'is an instance of keeping the Legacy of Communal Harmony

👉 Alam’s Own House by Dibyendu Palit - A memoir of nostalgia.

👉 Our Non-veg Cow by Mahasweta Devi reveals the whimsical and funny children stories of reality

👉 Mahesh by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay S.A.Q. (5 Marks)

👉 Leda and the Swan - Questions and answers (5 Marks)