The Educator Online

“Second Coming” is a poem written by W.B. Yeats, one of the most renowned Irish poets of the 20th century. It was composed during a period of significant social and political upheaval, following the devastation of World War I and the subsequent disillusionment and uncertainty felt by many.

The poem begins with the iconic line, “Turning and turning in the widening gyre,” which sets the tone for the poem’s exploration of chaos and the loss of order in the world. The “gyre” represents a spiral or vortex, symbolizing the turbulent and ever-changing nature of human history.

Yeats presents a bleak vision of the world, characterized by a sense of foreboding and the imminent arrival of a catastrophic event. He references biblical imagery, particularly the “Second Coming” of Christ, to convey the idea that a momentous and transformative event is about to unfold.

The poem describes the current state of the world as a time of disorder and disarray. The “falcon” that once represented nobility and grace is now lost and no longer heeds its master’s call. This symbolizes the decline of traditional values and the loss of moral compass.

Yeats portrays a sense of impending doom and the emergence of a destructive force referred to as the “rough beast.” This “beast” represents chaos, anarchy, and the unleashing of primal and destructive forces upon the world.

In the latter part of the poem, Yeats explores the consequences of this impending catastrophe. He describes how the center, symbolizing order and stability, can no longer hold, leading to a state of anarchy and fragmentation. The social fabric is torn apart, and the mere “innocence” of the world cannot protect it from the approaching catastrophe.

The final lines of the poem, “And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, / Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born,” leave the reader with a haunting and ambiguous image. The poem ends with a sense of inevitability, suggesting that the arrival of this destructive force is imminent and that it will forever alter the world as we know it.

“Second Coming” is a deeply introspective and prophetic poem that reflects Yeats’ concerns about the state of the world and his own anxieties about the future. It captures the pervasive sense of disillusionment and uncertainty that followed the devastating events of the early 20th century. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Yeats evokes a world on the brink of collapse, questioning the stability of human civilization and offering a stark commentary on the human condition.