Critical Appreciation The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats

Introduction

W.B. Yeats’ The Second Coming, written in 1919 and published in 1920, is one of the most powerful and influential poems of the 20th century. Composed during the aftermath of World War I and amid the political and social upheavals of the time, the poem captures a sense of chaos, dread, and the disintegration of order. Through the use of vivid, apocalyptic imagery and cryptic symbolism, Yeats presents a terrifying vision of a world on the brink of collapse, where the old structures of civilization are giving way to something dark and unknown. The poem’s title and its reference to the biblical “Second Coming” suggest a vision of a new era or epoch, but this new era is not one of redemption or hope—it is instead a harbinger of destruction and anarchy. With its haunting language, mythological references, and exploration of history’s cyclical nature, The Second Coming offers a profound meditation on the disintegration of moral and social order in the modern world.

Structure and Form

The Second Coming is written in free verse, consisting of 22 lines divided into two stanzas. The lack of a consistent rhyme scheme and the irregular meter contribute to the sense of instability and disorder that permeates the poem. The first stanza, composed of eight lines, introduces a chaotic world where traditional structures are breaking down. The second stanza, longer and more meditative, shifts to a prophetic vision of a new, terrifying figure emerging to dominate the future. The irregularity of the poem’s form mirrors the breakdown of order in the world it describes, reinforcing the theme of collapse and dissolution.

The poem opens with the striking image of a “widening gyre”:

“Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer;”

The image of the gyre, a spiral or vortex, is central to Yeats’ symbolic system. For Yeats, history moves in cycles or gyres, with each cycle eventually giving way to the next. The widening gyre suggests that the current cycle is spinning out of control, leading to fragmentation and chaos. The falcon’s inability to hear the falconer represents the breakdown of communication and control—the forces that once held society together are now disintegrating. The sense of dislocation is further emphasized by the subsequent lines:

“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; / Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”

These lines, among the most famous in modern poetry, capture the profound sense of disorder and dissolution that characterizes the early 20th century. The loss of the “center” symbolizes the collapse of traditional values, beliefs, and institutions, leaving a void in which anarchy and violence can thrive.

Imagery and Symbolism

One of the most distinctive features of The Second Coming is its use of apocalyptic imagery and symbolism. The first stanza presents a series of unsettling images that evoke chaos and destruction:

“The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere / The ceremony of innocence is drowned; / The best lack all conviction, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity.”

The “blood-dimmed tide” suggests a world overwhelmed by violence and brutality, where the forces of chaos have been unleashed. The drowning of “the ceremony of innocence” points to the destruction of purity, morality, and social cohesion. Yeats’ observation that “the best lack all conviction, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity” is a chilling reflection on the state of society, where those who might preserve order and justice are powerless, while those driven by destructive zeal dominate the world.

The second stanza introduces the central symbolic figure of the poem:

“Surely some revelation is at hand; / Surely the Second Coming is at hand. / The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out / When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi / Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert / A shape with lion body and the head of a man, / A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, / Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it / Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.”

Here, Yeats draws upon the concept of Spiritus Mundi—a kind of collective unconscious or world spirit that contains the archetypes and symbols of human experience. The “vast image” that emerges is a terrifying, sphinx-like creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man. The creature’s “blank and pitiless” gaze suggests an inhuman, merciless force, indifferent to human suffering. The setting in the desert and the imagery of “indignant desert birds” evoke a barren, desolate landscape, a wasteland devoid of life and hope.

The reference to the “Second Coming” in the poem’s title and text is deliberately ironic. In Christian eschatology, the Second Coming of Christ is associated with the promise of salvation and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. However, the “Second Coming” in Yeats’ vision is not the return of Christ, but the emergence of a monstrous, antithetical figure—an embodiment of destruction rather than redemption. The poem implies that the world is not moving toward a glorious new era, but toward a dark and terrifying future dominated by this inhuman force.

Cyclical View of History

The Second Coming is deeply rooted in Yeats’ belief in the cyclical nature of history, a concept he developed in his mystical system outlined in his book A Vision. According to this system, history moves in cycles or gyres, each lasting approximately 2,000 years. As one cycle reaches its end, it gives way to a new cycle marked by a fundamental shift in values, culture, and power. The current gyre, associated with the Christian era, is collapsing, and a new, more barbaric era is emerging. The birth of the “rough beast” in the desert symbolizes the dawning of this new epoch, which is characterized by violence, anarchy, and the breakdown of civilization.

The idea of a cyclical history is underscored by the poem’s concluding lines:

“And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, / Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?”

The image of the beast “slouching towards Bethlehem” is both ominous and ironic. Bethlehem, traditionally associated with the birth of Christ, is now linked with the birth of this monstrous figure, signaling the end of the current era and the beginning of a darker, more destructive age. The word “slouches” suggests an ungainly, uncontrolled movement, implying that this new force is not only inevitable but also mindless and menacing.

Themes and Significance

The Second Coming explores themes of chaos, decay, and the cyclical nature of history. The poem reflects Yeats’ belief that the world is on the brink of a profound transformation, one that will be marked by violence, destruction, and the collapse of traditional values. The poem’s vision is both apocalyptic and prophetic, offering a grim warning about the direction in which the world is heading.

The poem’s relevance extends beyond its historical context. Its exploration of the breakdown of order, the rise of destructive forces, and the loss of moral and spiritual guidance resonates with readers in any era. The sense of foreboding and dread that pervades the poem captures the anxieties of a world in crisis, making The Second Coming a timeless reflection on the darker aspects of human experience.

Conclusion

W.B. Yeats’ The Second Coming is a powerful and haunting meditation on the disintegration of civilization and the cyclical nature of history. Through its apocalyptic imagery, symbolic depth, and prophetic tone, the poem offers a vision of a world on the verge of collapse, where the forces of chaos and destruction are rising to dominate the future. Yeats’ craftsmanship—his use of myth, symbolism, and vivid language—creates a poem that is both rooted in its time and universal in its significance. As a work of modernist literature, The Second Coming stands as a profound and unsettling exploration of the uncertainties and anxieties of a world in transition, making it one of the most iconic and enduring poems of the 20th century.