The Wild Swans at Coole by W.B. Yeats (Important quotes)

Imagery, Pathetic fallacy - The vivid imagery creates an autumnal setting, symbolising how Yeats is in the “autumn” of his life.

“The trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry, Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky” “brimming”

Cacophony - Describes the loud, chaotic noise that the graceful swans made, showing their energy and vigour.

“And scatter wheeling in great broken rings Upon their clamourous wings”

Alliteration - Shows the steady rhythm of the swans’ wings.

“bell-beat of their wings”

Alliteration - Describes the laborious movement of walking.

“Trod with a lighter tread”

Oxymoron - The streams are cold, yet since the swans are together, they are companionable and the swans have a pleasant time. Yeats is envious of this as he doesn’t have a lover

“cold, companionable streams”

Rhetorical question - Yeats wonders where the swans will go when they become bored of Coole Park. This quote also has a hidden meaning. Yeats wonders where his youth will go once he ages/dies.

“Among what rushes will they build, By what lake’s edge or pool Delight men’s eyes when I awake someday To find they have flown away?”

Assonance - Creates a calm scene with broad assonance, slowing down the poem’s rhythm.

“The woodland paths are dry”

Personification - Passion and conquest are presented as servants of the swans, alluding to the fact that the swans are the masters of their own fates because they are still young.

“Passion or conquest … Attend upon them still”

Yeats’ views on nature

The swans (nature) represent eternal youth. He is envious of the youthful swans. However, his opinion changes in “Sailing to Byzantium”, where he rejects nature for man-made eternity through art.

Tone

Envious, thinly veiled by meagre appraisal. “looked upon these brilliant creatures, And now my heart is sore” “Their hearts have not grown old” “Mysterious, beautiful”

Mood

Peaceful, reverent, reflective, contemplative. “The nineteenth autumn has come upon me Since I first made my count”

Themes

Ageing and change, nature. “All’s changed” “these brilliant creatures”