Evaluate WB Yeats as an Irish Nationalist Poet

William Butler Yeats is undoubtedly one of the most prominent figures in the history of Irish literature. Throughout his career, Yeats wrote poems that touched upon many subjects, including love, spirituality, and myth. However, one theme that stands out in his work is his love for Ireland, and his desire to see it become a free and independent nation. In this essay, I will explore Yeats' views on Irish nationalism and evaluate his status as an Irish nationalist poet, with reference to some of his poems and quotes.

Yeats was born in Dublin in 1865, during a period of great political upheaval in Ireland. The country was still reeling from the effects of the Great Famine, and the Irish people were beginning to demand greater autonomy from Britain. Yeats grew up in this environment, and his early experiences undoubtedly shaped his views on Irish nationalism.

One of Yeats' most famous poems, "Easter, 1916," is a powerful expression of his nationalist beliefs. The poem was written in response to the Easter Rising, an armed rebellion that took place in Dublin in 1916. In the poem, Yeats expresses his admiration for the rebels and their sacrifice, while also acknowledging the futility of their actions:

"All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born."

These lines encapsulate Yeats' conflicted feelings about the Rising. On the one hand, he recognizes the bravery of the rebels and their willingness to die for their country. On the other hand, he understands that their actions will likely lead to more violence and bloodshed.

Another poem that demonstrates Yeats' love for Ireland is "September 1913." In this poem, Yeats criticizes the wealthy Dublin merchants who opposed the Irish nationalist movement, and calls for a return to the values of the past:

"Romantic Ireland's dead and gone, It's with O'Leary in the grave."

These lines show Yeats' frustration with the materialism and lack of idealism that had taken hold in Ireland by the early 20th century. He longs for a return to the days of the Irish Renaissance, when artists and writers like himself celebrated Irish culture and mythology.

Yeats' nationalism is also evident in his interest in Irish mythology and folklore. Many of his poems are based on traditional Irish stories and legends, and he often uses these myths to explore contemporary political issues. For example, his poem "The Second Coming" uses the image of the mythical beast, the sphinx, to represent the chaos and violence that he saw in the world around him:

"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,"

These lines show how Yeats saw the political situation in Ireland and the world at large as a reflection of the chaos and upheaval in the natural world.

In conclusion, it is clear that Yeats was a passionate and committed Irish nationalist, who used his poetry to express his love for his country and his desire to see it become free and independent. His poems are full of references to Irish history, mythology, and folklore, and he often used these themes to explore contemporary political issues. Although he was sometimes critical of the methods used by Irish nationalists, he never wavered in his belief that Ireland deserved to be a free and independent nation. As such, Yeats can rightly be considered one of the most important Irish nationalist poets of the 20th century.