‘THE SECOND COMING' CN/ THEME OF WAR/ THEME OF CHRISTIANITY /
TITLE / IMAGERY
¹ "The Second Coming" by William Butler Yeats is commonly understood as a symbolic portrayal of
the conclusion of the Christian era. It stands out as one of Yeats's extensively analyzed pieces,
reflecting his cyclical perspective on history. Considered a masterwork of Modernist poetry, scholars
have delved into the intricate symbolism of the poem, aiming to decipher its nuanced meanings.
In 1919, Yeats penned "The Second Coming," later published in 1921. Initially titled "The Second
Birth" in the draft, it underwent a transformation to its final title. The poem delves into the anticipated
return of Christ, drawing from New Testament promises. Its unconventional theme, marked by
oblique references and ambiguous imagery, has puzzled many readers. Yeats, having lived through the
tumultuous times surrounding World War I, crafted numerous poems, including "Prayer for My
Daughter" and "Easter 1916," revolving around the themes of war and Irish revelation.
"The Second Coming" by Yeats echoes the aftermath of World War I, portraying the theme of war as a
catalyst for societal unravelling. Yeats, shaped by the war's devastation, employs vivid imagery of a
falcon lost to its falconer, symbolizing the breakdown of control. The poem reveals the
disillusionment with progress, portraying the First World War as a stark proof of humanity's self-
destructive nature. Anarchy, bloodshed, and the drowning of innocence underscore the impact of war
on morality. The apocalyptic vision in the poem encapsulates the grim consequences of conflict,
illustrating war's pervasive influence on societal structures and human behavior.
² “Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;” (Yeats, 1-2)
In the first stanza, Yeats paints a nightmarish scene involving a falcon escaping the grasp of its human
falconer. The medieval context is evident, harking back to times when falcons or hawks were utilized
for hunting. The untamed falcon symbolizes present circumstances spiralling out of control due to
wars. Anarchy and chaos abound to the extent that the center cannot hold, depicting the difficulty in
maintaining control. The cyclone of death and disaster swirls in the gyre, a term recurrent in Yeats's
works, illustrating a spiralling force that annihilates everything in its path, akin to the imagery in
"Sailing to Byzantium."
The center is unravelling, symbolizing the swift breakdown of civilization. Evil prevails over
innocence, and the virtuous suffer under the tyranny of malevolence, reflecting the collapse of
traditional social structures in Europe. The phrase "the ceremony of innocence is drowned" captures
the poignant idea that the good often endure greater torment. In the second stanza, a foreseen societal
collapse is imminent, marked by a revelation or upheaval. The storm, an allegory for the second
coming in the New Testament, signifies Christ's return to redeem humanity's sins amid a world filled
with mysteries.
³ “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;” (Yeats, 3-6)
"The Second Coming" paints a nightmarish vision of an impending apocalypse, reflecting humanity's
loss of control and inclination towards violence. The poem, composed in the aftermath of World War
I, foretells the undoing of civilization. The metaphorical complexity serves a straightforward message:
humanity's time is running out, and the apparent progress and order of civilization are illusory.
The challenging imagery in the first stanza, with the falconer losing control of the falcon in the
turning gyre, symbolizes the breakdown of humanity's connection with nature and a descent into
chaos. Despite the perceived progress over centuries, the First World War revealed humanity's
capacity for self-destruction. Anarchy and bloodshed ensued, exposing the emptiness of innocence
and the lack of conviction among the "best" people. The foundation of society, the "centre," is
depicted as weak and never truly sturdy.
The poem questions whether humanity lost its way or never knew it, challenging the promises of
modern society for safety, security, and human dignity. Instead of the anticipated Second Coming of
Christ, a grotesque "rough beast" emerges, awakened by humanity's wars. This beast, pitiless and
slouching towards Bethlehem, signifies the culmination of 2,000 years of civilization sowing the
seeds of its own destruction. The poem concludes with the foreboding image of the beast ushering in a
new age of "darkness" and "nightmare."
⁴ “A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,” (Yeats, 14-15)
"The Second Coming" offers a disconcerting perspective on Christian morality, challenging its
perceived stability and reliability. The poem strongly alludes to the biblical Book of Revelation, where
Jesus returns during the end times to save the righteous. It suggests that these end times are already
unfolding, marked by a loss of morality—a morality that might have been illusory from the start.
The first stanza depicts chaos, confusion, and moral decay leading to the unraveling of established
categories of good and evil. Christian morality, symbolized by the "best" and "worst," is undermined,
replaced by a "mere anarchy." The blood-drenched imagery suggests that morality was a mere
performance, a ceremony, masking humanity's true nature.
The poem challenges the comforting notion of divine intervention. Rather than offering solace, a
revelation emerges, embodied by a grotesque beast heading towards Bethlehem. This beastly leader
represents a new era of anarchy where moral convictions falter, allowing the worst to thrive. The
poem paints Christian morality and prophecy as weak or even debunked in the face of human-created
violence and destruction.
⁵ The "blank gaze" of the creature signifies its lack of moral sense, presiding over a world of
pitilessness, bloodshed, and drowned innocence—a stark departure from the ideals of kindness and
justice associated with Christianity. The reference to "Spiritus Mundi" implies a global shift into
anarchy as humanity collectively abandons morality.
Despite its ambiguity, "The Second Coming" presents a bleak vision of humanity's future, portraying
morality as a collective dream evolving into a nightmare. Yeats' revisions, removing specific cultural
references, underscore the poem's universal and timeless nature, capturing a sense of foreboding for
the human condition.
