William Butler Yeats (13 June 1865 – 28 January 1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, prose writer and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A pillar of the Irish literary establishment, he helped to found the Abbey Theatre, and in his later years served two terms as a Senator of the Irish Free State.

What is WB Yeats known for?

William Butler Yeats, (born June 13, 1865, Sandymount, Dublin, Ireland—died January 28, 1939, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France), Irish poet, dramatist, and prose writer, one of the greatest English-language poets of the 20th century. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923.

What was WB Yeats greatest influences?

His works were included in ‘The Symbolist Movement in Literature’ – which brought French Symbolism to the attention of Anglo-American literary circles and became a major influence on WB Yeats. Indeed it’s believed Yeats use of symbolism in the ‘Wanderings of Oisin’ owes much to Symon’s style of symbolic poetry.

Was Yeats Protestant?

William Butler Yeats is widely considered to be one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. He belonged to the Protestant, Anglo-Irish minority that had controlled the economic, political, social, and cultural life of Ireland since at least the end of the 17th century.

Who is the most famous Irish poet?

Poet, playwright, and translator Seamus Heaney has been called “the most important Irish poet since Yeats” and is arguably one of the best-known poets in the world.

Why did Yeats call Ireland blind bitter land?

During the period of intense disenchantment that produced ‘September 1913’, Yeats referred to Ireland as a ‘blind bitter land’, and he might easily have become a blind, bitter poet. The Easter Rising spared him this uncomfortable fate. Yeats was also caught of guard and the Rising deeply affected him.

Did Yeats fight in ww1?

One cannot ignore the Irony of Yeats being one of the 20th Century’s key english language poets whilst he openly fought against English tradition in Ireland and the British role in the Great War.

Is considered as the greatest works of WB Yeats?

Sailing to Byzantium uses a journey to Byzantium as a metaphor for a spiritual journey. It is considered one of the best works of Yeats and it is the most famous poem of his greatest poetry collection, The Tower.

Can we call Yeats as an Irish poet?

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and one of the most significant figures of 20th Century literature. Yeats was born on June 13th 1865 and in 1923 he was awarded The Nobel Prize in Literature “for his always inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation”.

What is the famous Irish prayer?

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. This traditional Irish blessing is an ancient Celtic prayer.

Why was W.B.Yeats important to Ireland?

He was the most influential figure of Irish Literary Revival and among other things co-founded the Abbey Theatre, which played an important part in the movement. Yeats became the first Irish to be awarded a Nobel Prize in 1923.

How many children did W.B.Yeats have?

Though Yeats had romantic relationships with other women later, their marriage is still considered to be successful. The couple had two children, Anne in 1919 and Michael in 1921. Yeats was a dedicated Irish Nationalist. In 1922, on the foundation of the Irish Free State, he was appointed a member of the new Irish Senate.

What kind of identity does W.B.Yeats have?

Thus, in the poem Yeats continues to establish his politicized national identity that galvanizes struggle and sacrifice. Yeats’ poetry expresses an Irish identity that is political, focused on the past, and idealistic about the future of Ireland and its people.

What does Yeats mean by attend upon them still?

Within the poem Yeats fuses elements of Irish landscape with his concept of Irish identity. He writes, Attend upon them still” (19-24). In this passage we observe a portrait of Irish nature in which figures of Irish culture, Swans, also represent the Yeats’ concept of Irish identity.