Beaming Notes
Your Guide to Literature

“Lapis Lazuli” by William Butler Yeats was written on 25th July, 1936. It was published in the volume with the name “Last Poems.” Lapis Lazuli is a beautiful blue opaque gemstone. The poem has its origin to the receipt of a gift of a large piece of Lapis Lazuli “carved by some Chinese sculptor into… Continue reading Summary of Lapis Lazuli by W.B Yeats

Among Yeats’ personal poems, “The Tower” is the most impressive and a significant poem. The poem expresses the honest statement of Yeats’ frustration at the coming of old age. Therefore, old age is one of the themes of the poem; another is the failure in love and the rejection of the abstract ideas which were… Continue reading Summary of The Tower by W.B Yeats

“The Municipal Gallery Revisited” by William Butler Yeats was written is the year 1937 and was published in the volume called “Last Poems.” The poem is about the poet’s visit to the public gallery where he recalls the great events and the great figures of the last thirty years in which he was also a… Continue reading Summary of The Municipal Gallery Revisited by W.B Yeats

“Sailing to Byzantium” by William Butler Yeats was first published in 1928 in the collection called “The Tower.” Byzantium is the old name of Constantinople or Istanbul which was once the capital of the Roman Empire. According to Yeats, the Christian Byzantium which influences the scene after the fall of Rome was an ideal place… Continue reading Summary and Analysis of Sailing To Byzantium by W.B Yeats

“Prayer for My Daughter” is a beautiful personal poem by William Butler Yeats, reflecting his gloomy mood and a fear of a disturbing future. The poem was composed in 1919 and appeared in 1921. It was written during World War I; thus, it reflects the post-war agitation that was prevalent during that time. Though the… Continue reading Prayer For My Daughter: Summary

“To A Shade” is one of Yeats’ most remarkable political poems and was published in the volume called “Responsibilities.” It expresses Yeats’ disgust against the Irish people who ill-treated Parnell, an Irish nationalist political leader and the founder of the Irish Parliamentary Party. His betrayal was the talk of the whole Ireland around that time.… Continue reading Summary of To A Shade by W.B Yeats

“Upon a House Shaken by the Land Agitation” by William Butler Yeats was published in 1910 and appeared in Yeats’ volume of poems called “The Green Helmet and Other Poems.” It is a very short poem consisting only of twelve lines. SUMMARY: The house has been breeding the hawk-like eyes which loves the sun. The… Continue reading Summary of Upon A House Shaken By The Land Agitation by W.B Yeats

William Butler Yeats’ “An Acre of Grass” was written when he was living in Riverdale, Dublin. The ‘acre of grass’ refers to the small area of a greenland adjacent to his dwelling. The poem represents the agitation in the poet’s mind about losing his vigour and zest because of the onset of old age. The… Continue reading Summary and Analysis of An Acre Of Grass by W.B Yeats

The “Crazy Jane” poems by William Butler Yeats are based on a real life character- an old peasant woman who is Lady Gregory’s neighbour. Lady Gregory is a woman of world; she is passionate, candid, sexy but rather harsh in her talk. In this poem, she acts as the mouth-piece for a sane philosophy that… Continue reading Summary of Crazy Jane Talks With The Bishop by W.B Yeats

“Among School Children” by W.B Yeats is considered as one of the most difficult poems. The subject of the poem revolves around the interpretation of matter and spirit. It was composed by Yeats after visiting a convent school in Waterford, Ireland in 1926. The poem reflects on the theme of meditation of life, love and… Continue reading Summary and Analysis of Among School Children by W.B Yeats