Poem: The Lake Isle of Innisfree by W. B. Yeats

 

Poem: The Lake Isle of Innisfree by W. B. Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

First Stanza

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

Paraphrasing:
I will get up and go to Innisfree right away, where I will

 build a small cabin made of clay and woven branches.
I’ll plant nine rows of beans and keep a beehive, and I'll live peacefully by myself in the quiet glade filled with the sound of bees.

Second Stanza

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

Paraphrasing:
There, I will find true peace, as it slowly settles around me,
like the soft morning mist, drifting to where the crickets are singing. At midnight, everything will shimmer faintly,
and at noon, the light will take on a gentle purple hue,
while evenings will be alive with the flutter of linnet birds’ wings.

Third Stanza

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

Paraphrasing:
I will get up and move as day and night,

I hear the soft sound of water lapping at the lake’s edge.
Even when I am standing on the busy road or on the gray pavement, I hear it clearly in the depths of my heart.

Summary

In The Lake Isle of Innisfree, the speaker expresses a deep yearning to escape the busy and noisy world of the city and find solace in the peaceful, natural setting of Innisfree, a small island. He imagines building a simple cabin, living alone, and immersing himself in the tranquility of nature, surrounded by the sounds of bees, crickets, and birds. The speaker finds comfort in the idea of being away from the chaos, where he can reconnect with nature and experience inner peace. Even while in the city, he is drawn to the sounds of the lake, longing for the serenity of Innisfree.

Theme

The central theme of the poem is the longing for escape and peace through a return to nature. It explores the idea of finding solace in solitude, away from the pressures and noise of modern life. The poem also touches on the power of nature to soothe and heal the human spirit, offering a sanctuary from life's stresses.

Central Idea

The central idea of the poem is the speaker’s desire to withdraw from the fast-paced, artificial world and immerse himself in the simplicity and calm of nature. He envisions Innisfree as a place where he can experience peace, solitude, and a deeper connection to the natural world, which stands in contrast to the overwhelming environment of the city. This longing for natural peace represents a universal desire for harmony and tranquility.

1. Imagery

The poem is rich in vivid imagery that appeals to the senses. Yeats paints a clear picture of the peaceful setting of Innisfree with descriptions like:

• “small cabin built there, of clay and wattles made” (visual imagery)

• “a hive for the honeybee” (visual and auditory imagery)

• “midnight’s all a glimmer” (visual imagery)

• “evening full of the linnet's wings” (auditory and visual imagery)
  These images help the reader vividly imagine the tranquil and idyllic scene the speaker desires.

2. Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity helps to create a musical rhythm and mood. Examples include:

• “lake water lapping” (the repetition of the "l" sound)

3. Metaphor:

"Peace comes dropping slow"

Peace is compared to something that physically "drops" like dew or rain, implying a gradual and soothing process. The comparison is implicit, as peace does not literally "drop."

4. Repetition

The phrase "I will arise and go now" is repeated at the beginning and end of the poem, emphasizing the speaker’s strong desire to leave and find peace at Innisfree. This repetition underscores the urgency and intensity of the speaker's longing.

5. Symbolism

Innisfree itself is a symbol of peace, simplicity, and spiritual renewal. It represents the idealized vision of an escape from the chaos of modern life. Similarly, elements like the "bean-rows," "hive for the honeybee," and "linnet’s wings" symbolize harmony with nature.

6. Contrast

The contrast between the peaceful solitude of Innisfree and the noise of the city is central to the poem. The peaceful natural setting is described in contrast to the busy, gray, and noisy environment of the urban world where the speaker currently resides.

7. Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds creates a soft, harmonious effect, such as in:

• “Dropping from the veils of the morning” (the repetition of the "o" sound)
  This contributes to the poem’s soothing tone and musicality.