Responsibilities - W.B. Yeats

Summary

"Responsibilities" is a pivotal collection of poems by W.B. Yeats, published in 1914, marking a significant transition in his poetic style and thematic concerns. The collection moves away from the more ethereal, romantic, and Celtic Twilight mysticism of his earlier works towards a harsher, more direct, and often critical engagement with contemporary Ireland and his own artistic purpose.

The central themes revolve around the speaker's sense of duty – to his aristocratic ancestors, to the fading heroic spirit of Ireland, and to the craft of poetry itself. Yeats laments the materialism and lack of imagination he perceives in modern Ireland, contrasting it with the nation's glorious mythological and historical past. He questions his own role as an artist, wrestling with the responsibility to create beauty while also confronting harsh realities. The collection also explores themes of old age, disillusionment, and a search for a more robust form of truth, often expressed through mythical figures, historical allusions, and personal reflections. It is a collection where Yeats sheds his "embroidered coat" of earlier romanticism for a "stark" and challenging new voice.

Book Sections

Section: The Burden of Ancestry and Art

This section opens with poems where the speaker reflects on his lineage and the choices he has made as an artist, particularly his devotion to beauty and art rather than more conventional or materialistic pursuits. He feels a sense of responsibility to his ancestors, yet he also asserts his unique path.

This segment of the collection explores Yeats's personal identity as a poet, often contrasting his chosen path with the expectations of his family line. The opening poem, "Pardon, Old Fathers," is a direct address to his ancestors, seeking their understanding for his devotion to art rather than land or wealth. This introduces a central tension: the pull of tradition versus the pursuit of individual artistic truth. "Responsibilities," the title poem, further delves into this, with Yeats reflecting on his family's history, their reputation, and his own moral obligations. He questions if his art serves the same honorable purpose as their more tangible contributions to society.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
The Speaker (W.B. Yeats)	A poet, deeply reflective, conscious of his lineage and artistic mission, wrestling with a sense of duty and personal calling.	To justify his artistic life to his ancestors and to himself; to define his personal and artistic responsibilities in a changing world; to understand his place within a historical and familial continuum.
Old Fathers (Ancestors)	Representatives of Yeats's lineage, historical figures of land and law, embodying traditional Irish aristocratic virtues and societal expectations.	To maintain family honor and legacy through tangible achievements, wealth, and influence; they represent the traditional path that the speaker has deviated from in favor of art.

Section: Lament for Ireland's Heroic Past

This is perhaps the most famous and politically charged section of the collection. Poems like "September 1913" express a deep disillusionment with contemporary Ireland, which Yeats sees as having abandoned its heroic ideals for materialism and petty squabbles. He contrasts the self-sacrificing patriots of the past with the "greasy till" mentality of the present. "To a Shade" (addressing Charles Parnell) continues this lament, mourning the loss of a great leader and the failure of the Irish people to live up to their potential. These poems are sharp critiques, filled with a sense of loss and anger, yet also a fervent hope for a return to national greatness. "Paudeen" further criticizes the narrow-mindedness of the common people.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Robert Emmet	Irish nationalist rebel, executed in 1803 for attempting an uprising against British rule; a symbol of heroic self-sacrifice and unwavering idealism.	Driven by fervent Irish nationalism and a desire for an independent Ireland, willing to sacrifice his life for his country's freedom and dignity.
Wolfe Tone	Leading figure in the Society of United Irishmen, key revolutionary in the 1798 Rebellion; another powerful symbol of nationalistic fervor and martyrdom.	Motivated by republican ideals, seeking to unite Irish Catholics and Protestants to achieve a sovereign and independent Irish republic, free from British aristocratic rule.
Edward Fitzgerald	Aristocratic leader of the 1798 Rebellion, who died from wounds received during his capture; represents the romantic and tragic aspect of Irish nationalist struggle.	Committed to the cause of Irish independence, motivated by a blend of Enlightenment ideals and a deep sense of patriotism, choosing to fight alongside the common people despite his noble birth.
Charles Parnell	Influential Irish nationalist politician, leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party in the late 19th century; fell from grace due to a scandal, a figure of betrayed greatness.	His primary motivation was to achieve Home Rule for Ireland through parliamentary means, to empower the Irish people and secure their political rights and national dignity.
The Irish People (represented by "Paudeen")	In this context, characterized by materialism, short-sightedness, and a lack of vision or appreciation for heroic ideals; easily swayed by trivialities.	Motivated by immediate material gain and comfort, often at the expense of national ideals or long-term vision; susceptible to base impulses and lacking the spiritual or imaginative depth the speaker yearns for.

Section: Rejection of Romanticism and Search for Truth

In poems like "A Coat," Yeats explicitly declares his intention to cast off the "embroidered coat" of his earlier, more ornate and symbolic style, often associated with the Celtic Twilight movement. He vows to seek a more "stark" and truthful expression. "The Realists" satirizes those who claim to pursue truth but lack imagination and soul. "The Cold Heaven" presents a moment of intense, almost terrifying realization about past actions and a confrontation with a stark, indifferent reality, signaling a move towards a more existential and less overtly spiritual understanding of the world. This marks a turning point where Yeats embraces a tougher poetic language to confront personal and national truths.

Section: Myth, Magic, and Ancient Wisdom

Despite the turn towards realism, Yeats never fully abandons his fascination with myth, magic, and ancient wisdom. This section includes poems that draw on Irish folklore and universal myth to explore timeless truths. "The Magi" envisions the wise men of ancient prophecy riding back to Bethlehem, suggesting a cyclical return of profound spiritual meaning, often in response to societal decline. "The Witch" and "The Peacock" invoke figures from Irish folk tradition, exploring themes of transformation and the wild, untamed aspects of humanity and nature. "The Three Beggars" and "The Three Hermits" draw on ancient wisdom often found in the simple or outcast, contrasting with the folly of the sophisticated. "The Two Kings" (a narrative poem) delves into a mythological tale of love and conflict, offering reflections on the nature of power and human emotion through a legendary lens.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
The Magi	Ancient wise men from the biblical narrative, here depicted as returning or eternally seeking, embodying primordial wisdom and a sense of profound, cyclical historical recurrence.	Driven by an inherent search for ultimate truth and a divine revelation; they represent a persistent spiritual quest and the return of ancient, perhaps unsettling, forces.
Red Hanrahan	A character from Yeats's own previous folk stories, a wandering poet and schoolmaster, often caught between the human and supernatural worlds; a figure of Irish folklore.	Motivated by passion, poetry, and sometimes folly, he is often drawn into encounters with the supernatural, representing the enduring spirit of Irish myth and the vulnerability of the human soul to ancient forces.
Queen Dectora	A queen from the mythological narrative of "The Two Kings," beautiful and proud, involved in a complex love triangle.	Her motivations are rooted in love, honor, and perhaps a touch of vanity; she navigates the difficult choices demanded by passion and loyalty within the royal court.
King Eochaid	One of the "Two Kings" in the narrative, a powerful and noble ruler.	Motivated by the duties of kingship, love for his queen, and maintaining order and honor within his realm; he faces the challenge of defending his authority and personal relationships.
Queen Edain	Another mythological queen figure, central to the story of "The Two Kings," often associated with beauty and the supernatural, especially in Celtic mythology.	Her motivations are tied to destiny, love, and the complex interplay of human and otherworldly forces; she often embodies enduring beauty and the mystical connection between realms. (Note: In "The Two Kings" poem, the focus is on Dectora, but Edain is a key queen figure in broader Celtic lore that Yeats drew upon).

Literary Genre

Poetry collection (specifically, Modernist poetry with roots in Irish Romanticism and Symbolism, transitional period).

Author Facts

• William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, and mystic.
• He was a leading figure of 20th-century literature and a pillar of the Irish literary revival.
• Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923, "for his always inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation."
• He was also involved in Irish politics, serving as a Senator of the Irish Free State for two terms.
• His early work was influenced by Irish mythology and folklore and was associated with the Celtic Twilight movement, while his later work became more physical, political, and disillusioned.

Morale and Curiosities

Morale (Main Themes/Message):

"Responsibilities" doesn't offer a simple moral lesson like a fable, but rather profound thematic statements:

• The Burden of Heritage: True responsibility extends beyond personal gain to one's ancestors and the cultural legacy they represent.
• Artistic Integrity: The artist has a responsibility to confront reality directly and honestly, even if it means shedding older, more comfortable aesthetic modes.
• National Disillusionment: A nation that forgets its heroic past and succumbs to materialism risks losing its soul and its potential for greatness.
• The Cyclical Nature of History and Spirit: Ancient wisdom and heroic ideals may seem lost, but they often return in new forms, demanding recognition.
• The Power of Imagination vs. Reality: Yeats critiques the "realists" who lack imagination, arguing that a nation's true strength lies in its heroic dreams and spiritual vision, not merely its economic or political pragmatism.

Curiosities:

• Stylistic Shift: "Responsibilities" is considered a watershed moment in Yeats's career, marking his conscious effort to adopt a leaner, more direct, and often satirical style. This shift was partly influenced by Ezra Pound, who served as Yeats's secretary and exposed him to modern poetic trends.
• Political Context: The collection was published just as Ireland was on the cusp of significant political upheaval (the 1916 Easter Rising and subsequent War of Independence were years away). Yeats's laments for Ireland's lost spirit resonated deeply with the nationalist sentiments of the time, even as he criticized contemporary Irish society.
• Personal Turning Point: Around the time of writing these poems, Yeats was dealing with the unrequited love for Maud Gonne, her marriage, and his own aging, all of which contributed to the more somber, reflective, and often bitter tone of the collection.
• "A Coat" as a Manifesto: The poem "A Coat" is often read as Yeats's poetic manifesto for his new artistic direction, a deliberate break from the "embroideries" of his earlier, more overtly symbolic poetry.