The butt-end of a steering-oar,
And saw wherever I could turn
A crowd upon a shore.
And though I would have hushed the crowd,
There was no mother’s son but said,
‘What is the figure in a shroud
Upon a gaudy bed?’
And after running at the brim
Cried out upon that thing beneath
— It had such dignity of limb —
By the sweet name of Death.
Though I’d my finger on my lip,
What could I but take up the song?
And running crowd and gaudy ship
Cried out the whole night long,
Crying amid the glittering sea,
Naming it with ecstatic breath,
Because it had such dignity,
By the sweet name of Death.
Poem Analysis:
"His Dream" by William Butler Yeats is a thought-provoking poem that explores the speaker's encounter with a mysterious and dignified figure, symbolizing death. Through vivid imagery and contemplative language, the poem delves into themes of mortality, human curiosity, and the inherent dignity of the final moments of life. This analysis will delve into the structure, themes, and literary devices employed in the poem to uncover its deeper meaning.
Themes:
- Mortality and Death: The central theme of the poem is the inevitability of death and the acceptance of its presence in the human experience. The figure in the shroud represents death, which is portrayed as both mysterious and dignified.
- Curiosity and Fear: The poem highlights human curiosity about death and the fear that often accompanies discussions of mortality. The crowd's reaction to the figure in the shroud reflects this mix of fascination and trepidation.
- Dignity in Death: The poem suggests that death can possess a certain dignity, especially in its appearance and demeanor. This idea challenges the conventional fear associated with death and presents it as a natural and noble part of life.
Structure:
"His Dream" consists of 5 quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a simple rhyme scheme (ABAB). This straightforward structure allows the poem's themes and imagery to take center stage without distraction.
Analysis:
- "I swayed upon the gaudy stern / The butt-end of a steering-oar, / And saw wherever I could turn / A crowd upon a shore.": The poem begins with the speaker positioned on a ship's stern, observing a crowd on the shore. The choice of words like "gaudy" and "crowd" implies a lively and colorful scene.
- "And though I would have hushed the crowd, / There was no mother’s son but said, / ‘What is the figure in a shroud / Upon a gaudy bed?’": The speaker attempts to quiet the crowd's curiosity, but everyone is fixated on the mysterious figure wrapped in a shroud on a bed, emphasizing their collective fascination with death.
- "And after running at the brim / Cried out upon that thing beneath / — It had such dignity of limb — / By the sweet name of Death.": As the crowd approaches the figure, they express awe and admiration for the dignity and grace of the shrouded form, naming it "Death" with reverence.
- "Though I’d my finger on my lip, / What could I but take up the song? / And running crowd and gaudy ship / Cried out the whole night long.": Despite the speaker's initial desire to remain silent, they join the crowd in celebrating and acknowledging the dignified presence of Death.
- "Crying amid the glittering sea, / Naming it with ecstatic breath, / Because it had such dignity, / By the sweet name of Death.": The poem concludes with the crowd and the ship's passengers collectively embracing the concept of death. Their voices rise above the glittering sea as they name it with reverence and ecstatic breath, emphasizing the newfound acceptance and celebration of death.
"His Dream" by W.B. Yeats presents a profound meditation on death, emphasizing its inevitability, the human fascination with it, and its potential dignity. The poem challenges the conventional fear associated with death, suggesting that it can be viewed with a sense of reverence and awe. Ultimately, the poem encourages readers to contemplate the mysteries of life's final chapter and find acceptance in its presence.