A Stick of Incense
By William Butler Yeats
Whence did all that fury come?
From empty tomb or Virgin womb?
Saint Joseph thought the world would melt
But liked the way his finger smelt.
Poem Analysis:
William Butler Yeats' poem A Stick of Incense is a brief but poignant exploration of complex themes such as religion, human nature, and the ambiguity of faith. Through enigmatic language and striking imagery, Yeats blends religious symbolism with personal reflection, ultimately creating a work that contemplates the paradoxes of existence, belief, and human understanding.
Context and Background
Yeats, a Nobel laureate and one of the foremost poets of the 20th century, often explored themes related to mysticism, spirituality, and the tensions between the physical and the spiritual realms. His works are known for their rich symbolism and multi-layered meanings. A Stick of Incense is no exception; it is a short, cryptic poem that invites interpretation from both a religious and existential standpoint. It may not be one of Yeats' more well-known poems, but it is representative of his ability to distill complex ideas into seemingly simple verse.
Structure and Tone
The poem is composed of just four lines, and the brevity of its form adds to the air of mystery surrounding it. Despite its short length, the poem is densely packed with layers of meaning. The tone is playful and irreverent, yet tinged with solemnity. Yeats’ use of humor and casual language contrasts with the serious themes he touches upon, creating an almost paradoxical effect that forces readers to grapple with the contradictions present in both the poem and in life itself.
"Whence did all that fury come?"
The opening line introduces a sense of turmoil or anger ("fury"), but it leaves the source of this emotion unclear, prompting readers to ask where it originated. The word "whence" is an old-fashioned way of asking "where from," and it evokes a sense of mystery. The use of the word "fury" suggests intense emotional upheaval, but its cause remains unknown, setting the tone for the rest of the poem, which will explore origins, both physical and spiritual.
"From empty tomb or Virgin womb?"
This line introduces two potent religious symbols: the "empty tomb" and the "Virgin womb." The "empty tomb" refers to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing death and rebirth, and it can be seen as a metaphor for the idea of renewal or spiritual awakening. The "Virgin womb," on the other hand, refers to the immaculate conception of Mary, symbolizing purity, divine intervention, and the beginning of life. By juxtaposing these two religious symbols, Yeats is highlighting the paradoxes inherent in human existence—the tensions between death and rebirth, purity and sin, the divine and the earthly.
The question posed in this line suggests that the "fury" (the emotional or spiritual upheaval) may have arisen from either the profound sacred origins of Christianity (the Virgin womb) or from something more nihilistic and empty (the empty tomb). Yeats thus sets up a metaphysical dilemma between two opposing forces: one filled with divine significance and the other marked by emptiness and loss.
"Saint Joseph thought the world would melt"
Saint Joseph, traditionally known as the earthly father of Jesus, is depicted here as having an apocalyptic vision ("thought the world would melt"). This image evokes the end of the world, a biblical motif often associated with divine judgment and the destruction of earthly life. The line suggests that Joseph, in his wisdom and understanding of the sacred, anticipated a cataclysmic change. It implies that even figures of religious reverence can be struck by doubts or fears about the world's fate, reinforcing the poem’s themes of uncertainty and paradox.
"But liked the way his finger smelt."
This line takes a surprising turn. After all the solemn and mystical language of the previous lines, Yeats introduces a moment of humor and the mundane. Saint Joseph, far from remaining aloof or divine, is presented as a human figure with sensory experiences—he “liked the way his finger smelt.” This juxtaposition of sacred themes with a sensory, almost trivial observation is jarring but also deeply humanizing. It highlights the tension between the spiritual and the earthly, suggesting that even the most exalted figures are not exempt from human foibles and pleasures.
The phrase could be read as an attempt to show that human beings, even in their most sacred or pious moments, are often distracted by sensory or earthly experiences. In the midst of religious contemplation or crisis, there remains the presence of the physical, the sensual, and the trivial.
Themes and Interpretation
- The Tension Between the Divine and the Earthly: A central theme of the poem is the tension between the spiritual or divine world and the earthly, physical realm. Yeats presents this tension through religious imagery and symbols—such as the Virgin womb and the empty tomb—but also through the surprising, humanizing detail of Saint Joseph’s sensory experience. The poem suggests that religious figures, far from being solely divine, are also human and flawed. This blending of the sacred and the mundane invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human nature and belief.
- Paradoxes of Faith and Existence: The poem is filled with contradictions and paradoxes, such as the juxtaposition of the "empty tomb" and the "Virgin womb." These two symbols represent opposing concepts—death and rebirth, emptiness and divine creation—and their pairing suggests that faith itself is rife with paradox. The question of where "fury" comes from—whether from divine sources or emptiness—suggests that faith and existence are inherently ambiguous and uncertain. This ambiguity is further compounded by the image of Saint Joseph, who contemplates the end of the world but also enjoys a simple sensory pleasure.
- Humor as a Reflection of Human Experience: Yeats’ use of humor in the final line serves as a reminder of the human experience even amidst profound or serious themes. The image of Saint Joseph finding enjoyment in the smell of his finger is almost absurd, yet it is deeply human. This blend of humor with spirituality suggests that life, for all its sacred and lofty ideals, is also grounded in the sensory and the trivial. In this way, Yeats points out the tension between the sublime and the mundane, acknowledging that both play a role in the human experience.
- The Ambiguity of Origins and Creation: The question of "whence" the fury originates speaks to the mystery of creation itself. Is the "fury" born from a divine, sacred origin (the Virgin womb) or from an empty, nihilistic place (the empty tomb)? This ambiguity mirrors the mysteries of existence—where did we come from, and where are we headed? Yeats does not offer definitive answers but instead presents the question, inviting readers to reflect on the complex and often contradictory nature of life, faith, and creation.
A Stick of Incense by William Butler Yeats is a brief but thought-provoking poem that blends religious imagery, paradox, humor, and human experience. Through its enigmatic language and rich symbolism, the poem reflects on the tension between the divine and the earthly, the sacred and the mundane, while also exploring the mysteries of faith and existence. Yeats’ ability to juxtapose serious themes with moments of levity creates a work that invites reflection on the complexity and ambiguity of the human condition. By invoking religious figures and symbols, he encourages readers to grapple with the mysteries of creation, existence, and the nature of belief, all while acknowledging the inevitable contradictions inherent in our experiences of the world.