The Wild Swans at Coole

WB Yeats

Theme - fear of loneliness

“the nineteenth autumn has come upon me since I first made my count”

• considering how much can change within that time, almost two decades later, the swan is still alone; as is Yeats

• he is fearful that he will be alone forever, and the lone swan resonates with him

• use of personal pronouns indicates the personal nature of the poem

Theme: despondent

“unwearied still, lover by lover, they paddle in the cold companionable streams”

• the poet grows despondent as he ages, as he is drained and wearied by his lack of partnership

• he expresses his envy of the swans, who are very much in love

• although the streams may be cold and unpleasant, the swans are content with their companion

Imagery + Tone: warm yet melancholy

“the trees are in their autumn beauty, the woodland paths are dry”

• the warm, beautiful colours of autumn (saffron, amber, russet) bring a sense of comfort

• imagery of the dry paths, dying leaves, and fading daylight alludes to how the poet feels his hope of finding love is fading

• melancholy image; although it is beautiful it is filled with death and ending of life

• uses nature as a vessel for reflection

Imagery: peace + lonely

“up one the brimming water among the stones are nine-and-fifty swans”

• deliberate uneven number of swans, loyal creatures who mate for life, highlights the one swan who is alone

• uses the image of the swan to reflect on his own lack of partnership - his unrequited love

• use of the word ‘brimming’ creates a peaceful atmosphere as the swans glide across the surface of the lake

Tone:

“their hearts have not grown old”

• in all their time together, the swans have not grown tired of each other and are still very fulfilled

• he shows appreciation for the swans’ loyalty and spirit, and is regretful that he did not enjoy his former vitality and regrets his aging

• transience is an inevitable part of life which can be difficult to embrace

• his mortal heart aches as he is painfully aware of the fact he is growing old alone

Tone

“I have looked upon those brilliant creatures, and now my heart is sore”

• his admiration for the swans beauty and fidelity to one another is tainted by his lack of companionship

• he admits that he is experiencing emotional pain, as he grieves the relationship he never had

• he is still deeply hurt by Maude’s rejection of him, and is moved by intense feelings of heartbreak

Tone

“upon their clamorous wings”

• chaos of the swans taking flight contrast the serene surroundings

• the apt description of the loud and powerful wings, alludes to the strong feelings of desperation and loneliness

• despite being surrounded by nature, the poet cannot feel calm as he is overwhelmed by his unrequited love

Language

“the bell-beat of their wings above my head, trod with a lighter tread”

• onomatopoeic affect of the ‘bell-beat’ paired with the alliteration of the ‘tr’ sound emanates the burden of the passing years

• as time has passed, his immense heartache wavers

• he has had time to process his emotions, so the loneliness hurts less over time, yet a dull ache remains

Language

“to find they have flown away?”

• he reflects on his own lack of romantic love, and the uncertainty he feels

• rhetorical question demonstrates that even after consideration, he does not know if he will find love

• conveys a sense of unease, as he has loved others to no avail

• vulnerable and honest ending