Yeats: Leda and the Swan

[grllopez]

This is a difficult poem to discuss. Obviously it is in reference to Greek mythology. This is the story of Leda and Zeus. Transformed or disguised as a swan, Zeus rapes Leda, who gives birth to Helen, who then causes the Trojan War. This also marks the end of Greek Civilization - only to give birth to a new era.

According to Interesting Literature, Yeats believed civilizations lasted about 2000 years, when the gods would intervene and breath new life into human civilization. Hence the next period would be the Christian Age, which also involved a young girl (Mary) and the Holy Spirit, sometimes portrayed as a dove.

The difficult - or uncomfortable - part about the discussion is the language, which is powerful, starting with "A sudden blow...," and then "her thighs caressed," and more and more about thighs and loins.

I would say it is one of Yeats' more graphic poems. But definitely interesting with the connections and references to one powerful act being the cause or fall of an entire civilization of history. He's got a point. (Of course, it's all a myth...)