Easter 1916 Poem By W. B. Yeats! Quiz

The poem was written in 1916.

Sleep is often seen as a symbol of death because during sleep, our consciousness and awareness of the world around us are temporarily suspended. Just like death, sleep is a state of rest and inactivity where our bodies and minds rejuvenate and recharge. Additionally, sleep is often associated with a sense of peace and tranquility, much like the idea of death as a peaceful eternal rest.

Yeats refers to six people of importance in his poem.

Yeats uses the image of a stone to symbolize immobility and nature to symbolize change. The stone represents something solid, unchanging, and permanent, while nature represents the constant flux and transformation of the world. This juxtaposition of immobility and change highlights the contrasting forces at play in the poem, and perhaps suggests a tension between stability and impermanence in life.

Yeats describes insignificant people in the first stanza.

The term "terrible beauty" is a contradiction in itself, as "terrible" and "beauty" are opposite concepts. This literary device is known as an oxymoron, which is the combination of two contradictory words or ideas. In this case, the oxymoron emphasizes the conflicting nature of the concept being described, creating a vivid and memorable image for the reader.

The correct answer suggests that Yeats feels that the woman mentioned at the beginning of the stanza is naive for thinking that words alone are sufficient to fight against the British.

The stone represents Ireland as avoiding change and conflict. This implies that Ireland prefers to maintain the status quo and avoid any form of confrontation or upheaval. This could be interpreted as a reflection of Ireland's historical struggle for independence and its desire to maintain stability and peace in the face of political and social challenges.

The correct answer is that the Easter Rising changed them and made them use force instead of words. This explanation suggests that the four people in the stanza were initially described negatively but were included in the poem because the Easter Rising transformed them, causing them to abandon peaceful means of communication and resort to violence. This change in their behavior and beliefs makes them significant figures to be included in a poem about the Easter Rising.

Yeats feels that the first two men mentioned in stanza two are men of words, but not of action. This is indicated by the fact that one of them owns a school and the other is a writer. This suggests that they are more focused on intellectual pursuits rather than taking physical or practical actions.

In this question, Yeats mentioning a winged horse, Pegasus, from Greek mythology suggests Pearse's skill as a writer. Pegasus is often associated with poetry and inspiration, symbolizing the ability to soar above ordinary thoughts and create beautiful works of literature. By referencing Pegasus, Yeats implies that Pearse possesses the creativity and talent of a writer.

The names mentioned in the poem are James Connolly, Maud Gunne, Major John Macbride, Constance Markievicz, Patrick Pearse, and Thomas MacDonagh.

The phrase "terrible beauty" refers to the idea that something can be both beautiful and destructive at the same time. It suggests that change, freedom, and freedom itself can bring about negative consequences such as death and misery, but they are still essential and necessary. Additionally, it implies that freedom is not always a gentle or controlled force, but can be wild, terrible, and uncontrollable. Therefore, all of the given options capture different aspects of this concept of "terrible beauty."

The given answer suggests that Yeats feels that the third man described at the end of the stanza is both a drunk and arrogant. This can be inferred from the information provided in the stanza, which implies that the third man's behavior and actions exhibit qualities of drunkenness and arrogance.

Yeats focuses on the four people's personalities and common everyday skills rather than their political involvement and achievements because he wants to convey the idea that they are ordinary citizens who can relate to the common people. By indicating that they are common citizens, he makes them one with the people, emphasizing their relatability and connection to the everyday struggles of the Irish people. Furthermore, he wants to highlight that even common and imperfect individuals have the potential to be heroic and make a positive impact on Ireland.

The correct answer is the combination of the lines "I have passed with a nod of the head," "polite meaningless words," and "a mocking tale or a gibe To please a companion Around the fire at the club." These lines suggest that Yeats views the interactions with people as superficial and insincere. He describes passing by people with a simple nod of the head, engaging in polite but meaningless conversations, and telling stories or making jokes to entertain others. This implies that Yeats sees these interactions as insignificant and lacking in depth or meaning.

The color green in Yeats' poem symbolizes freedom, change, Ireland as the Emerald Isle, and is also used in commemoration of the four dead rebels. It represents the desire for independence and the longing for a transformed society. The mention of Ireland as the Emerald Isle further emphasizes the connection between the color green and the country's struggle for freedom. Additionally, the reference to the four dead rebels suggests that the color green is a symbol of their sacrifice and the ongoing fight for liberation.

Yeats writes "Was it needless death after all?" as a rhetorical question to express the doubts and uncertainties felt by many Irish citizens after the rebellion. By posing this question, Yeats acknowledges the possibility that the deaths may have been unnecessary, but he also seeks to underline the importance of a continued struggle. He emphasizes that despite the strength of the British, Ireland cannot turn back now, implying that the fight for independence must continue. In doing so, Yeats aims to instill hope and determination in the Irish people, despite the challenges they face.