How can we, as an audience, understand shared life experiences without the knowledge obtained through reading. The notion that through reading, we are made more aware of our shared life experiences is one that is present in the modern day society. Audiences choose to read texts that are appealing thematically, stylistically and conceptually in order to relate to and understand universal themes. Additionally, Yeats, “The Wild swans at Coole” embodies the human condition of aging integrated through the universal experience of change, allowing the audience to reflect upon themselves. Yeats’ “Sailing to Byzantium” develops the audience's understanding of immortality and transformation through the persona’s introspection of his temporary state within
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Yeats reflects on the changing world juxtaposing the human condition, with unbearing beauty of the natural world, a characteristic of the romantic movement. Yeats realizes that change is inevitable by juxtaposing the mortality of humanity against the immortality of nature where he is in his “Autumn beauty” and his “Woodland Path” is dry. This reiterates his temporal state, prompting the responder to reflect upon their own transience. This relates back to the human condition of aging as older audiences often engage in introspection and self reflection, as Yeats has, recognising he has reached the Autumn stage in his life. Moreover, Yeats further emphasises the human experience of aging with reflection on the permanency of swans as he “looks upon those brilliant creatures.” The swans not only a symbol of beauty, but also of energy and permanence. They don't seem to age the way the yeats does, and they aren't conscious of pain and weariness as Yeats is, as he states, “now my heart is sore.” Yeats suggests that as we get older we begin to feel sadder, feel more ‘sore’ emotionally and physically. The comparison of Yeats to the swans embodies human experiences as it is suggested that as you grow older, you become emotionally and physically weaker, as Yeats has. Furthermore, Yeats embodies the shared …show more content…
Have you ever wanted to be immortal? I know I have. Yeats reflects on the human condition, as he explores the desire for immortality with the use of realism, a characteristic of the modernist movement. The poem begins with the persona protesting, “that is no country for old men,” recognising a central dichotomy in the world, one between the old and the young. This distinction between the worlds results in the persona feeling detached from their society. The young are “Caught in that sensual music all neglect Monuments of unageing intellect.” whilst the old are “monuments of unageing intellect.” Yeats metaphorically compares the young to music, present in the moment and the elderly to monuments, indicating their intellect and prudence. This relates back to universal experiences as the elderly is often neglected within society whilst the young are living in the moment. Furthermore, Yeats explores immortality as he is seen to criticise the body, describing it as “a paltry thing, A tattered coat upon a stick.” Yeats describes the aged body as a tattered coat to metaphorically convey the uselessness of the body. The body, hiding the personas true being, as immortality is not about the body but rather preserving the soul. Through Yeats self reflection, the audience is given an insight that body is rather just a
Yeats reflects on the changing world juxtaposing the human condition, with unbearing beauty of the natural world, a characteristic of the romantic movement. Yeats realizes that change is inevitable by juxtaposing the mortality of humanity against the immortality of nature where he is in his “Autumn beauty” and his “Woodland Path” is dry. This reiterates his temporal state, prompting the responder to reflect upon their own transience. This relates back to the human condition of aging as older audiences often engage in introspection and self reflection, as Yeats has, recognising he has reached the Autumn stage in his life. Moreover, Yeats further emphasises the human experience of aging with reflection on the permanency of swans as he “looks upon those brilliant creatures.” The swans not only a symbol of beauty, but also of energy and permanence. They don't seem to age the way the yeats does, and they aren't conscious of pain and weariness as Yeats is, as he states, “now my heart is sore.” Yeats suggests that as we get older we begin to feel sadder, feel more ‘sore’ emotionally and physically. The comparison of Yeats to the swans embodies human experiences as it is suggested that as you grow older, you become emotionally and physically weaker, as Yeats has. Furthermore, Yeats embodies the shared …show more content…
Have you ever wanted to be immortal? I know I have. Yeats reflects on the human condition, as he explores the desire for immortality with the use of realism, a characteristic of the modernist movement. The poem begins with the persona protesting, “that is no country for old men,” recognising a central dichotomy in the world, one between the old and the young. This distinction between the worlds results in the persona feeling detached from their society. The young are “Caught in that sensual music all neglect Monuments of unageing intellect.” whilst the old are “monuments of unageing intellect.” Yeats metaphorically compares the young to music, present in the moment and the elderly to monuments, indicating their intellect and prudence. This relates back to universal experiences as the elderly is often neglected within society whilst the young are living in the moment. Furthermore, Yeats explores immortality as he is seen to criticise the body, describing it as “a paltry thing, A tattered coat upon a stick.” Yeats describes the aged body as a tattered coat to metaphorically convey the uselessness of the body. The body, hiding the personas true being, as immortality is not about the body but rather preserving the soul. Through Yeats self reflection, the audience is given an insight that body is rather just a