Choose one of the following aspects for your response. Make sure you build support and demonstrate analysis. Some suggestions are available to guide you; however, you may go your own direction for proof.
ONLY ONE strategy need be addressed:
1. What is the dramatic situation that prompted the the speaker to speak? ** note relationship to Oedipus Rex.
2. What problem is being explored in the poem? Is there a solution? ** may build from prior knowledge from Oedipus Rex. Solution could be a lesson learned.
3. What feelings (mood) does one get from the poem? ** address tone as well.
4. What is the overall effect of the poem? **include device. May include prior knowledge relating to Hellenic period.
5. What is suggested by the title? Who is the speaker, and who is the intended audience?
Using the Princeton Review method discussed in the reflection activity done during the "Swan Song" homework, respond to "Oedipus at Colonus" by Yeats. Note what Princeton Review strategy/aspect you are using for your response. Responses should be one paragraph in length. The poem is public domain and available online. For your convenience, a copy will be provided to you in class. This response will be graded for content and is due by Friday (9/24). Use this blog to discuss your ideas.
1. The speaker in "A Man Yound and Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus" is addressing the depressing story of Oedipus marrying his mother and having children with her after killing his father. Although he does not know he is committing this horrendous crime, it still tears him to pieces. In stanza 1, the speaker tells how one must accept fate and hardship because it is a part of life and you cannot escape God's plan. Furthermore, in stanzas 2 and 3, it is stated that even throughout the good times in Oedipus' life, a shadow of despair haunts every moment. For example, his wedding day, one of the happiest days in a person's life, is the day his revolting sin commenced. Lastly, stanza 4 describes how authors of the past have said that it is easier to not live and all or ignore every wrong deed than to know of the evil in one's life and face the consequences. In short, William Butler Yeat's moving poem illustrates the solemn fate of Oedipus.
ReplyDeleteWas this what we were supposed to do? I wasn't sure...
ReplyDeleteThe mood of "A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus" is a resigned one. It tells in an almost regretful way how Oedipus' sad life transpired. The details of Oedipus' life, such as marrying and having kids with his mother, and killing his father, as conveyed in the poem, stir up pity in the reader, as Oedipus valiantly tried to escape his horrendous fate, but in the end was really hastening its occurence. Life, as we learn, is bad to good people like Oedipus, who was an intelligent and admirable figure of mythology. The tone of the speaker is deeply morbid, in a sense, because the speaker realizes that the only way that Oedipus could have avoided this fate is through death, which is said to be a "silent kiss." Next to this, only a "gay goodnight," or a party, will suffice. However, under the surface, the tone is more multilayered. On another level, the teller is almost saying that this way would be cowardly, and to accept the cards, or fate, that God has assigned or given to you. Make the best of what you've got, because that is all one can do. Even with this staunch and brave attitude and life's happy occurences, Oedipus suffers terribly as time goes on, whether through death of his dad and mother, family divisions, or just remorseful feelings for the past. The talker pities and admires Oedipus for his awful fate and his composure in dealing with it. The most clear example of this pity is that of stanza two, where it describes Oedipus, once a mighty king, as an elderly wandering beggar, implying that Oedipus, because of his gruesome fate, is lost and degraded. His stature is gone and everything he has worked for has disappeared; he is blind to the world, much as the world was blind to him and his needs/welfare.
ReplyDeleteSkylar, I did it pretty much the same way that you did, so I think so...
ReplyDelete5. The title "A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus" suggests that the character is both young and old. This is a paradox that explains that Oedipus is young in age, but in terms of sins or experiences he has been worn out his youth. The second line in the first stanza highlights this point in a command to "Cease to remember the delights of youth, travel-wearied aged man." The title has yet another implication, that like the young Oedipus is innocent in his intentions without realizing the outcomes of his actions. On the other hand he is corrupted and wizened by his actions, as an older man would be from a lifetime of experiences. The speaker in this Ode is Oedipus himself, which one finally sees when they read the last line of the third stanza. The intended audience is Oedipus as well, the reader sees this as he is discussing the options with himself over the terrible life in which he leads and how death would bestow upon him a release from his deteriorating life. Being that he is both the speaker and audience, the poem can be evaluated as an internal conflict, fighting between the desire to live on in life for what left is good and the desire to flee the ruin that has eroded his spirit into "Death, despair, division of families, all entanglements of mankind."
ReplyDeleteTo all of the above... It appears as if you have the right idea. You have noted your Princeton Review association and responded appropriately:) Now, talk to each other about your observations (content and technique). Note how each person addresses aspects different from your own. Hopefully, we will have some experts in the room relating to this analysis technique:) Kudos to the brave souls that posted first! You have my respect:D By doing this early, you will get more observations from others in the class than those who wait.
ReplyDeleteAlexis. Your response is excellent:) I love that you chose a device to explain your viewpoint. Not only do you demonstrate knowledge of the Oedipus "myth," but you also show understanding of the device and how it relates to the selection. Background knowledge + device expertise= higher scores on the AP test. Good work!! Quote support, too?? Be still my heart!!
ReplyDeleteStephen. This is good as well. You say "staunch and brave"... How could you enhance your response with a little outside knowledge of Hellenic tradition? The quote support is good. Ramp up the vocab and lose the "you" voice.
ReplyDeleteSkylar. I like where you are heading with this. Your ideas flow nicely:) Define the audience a little more. You may consult a lit crit, if needed. We are practicing with the P.R. approach; therefore, using an outside souce would be okay. You will learn as you investigate. Make sure to make the idea your own:) Good thoughts and well said:)
ReplyDeleteEVERYONE: See how I have responded to the above posts? Do the same. Make suggestions! We are all in this together:) Conversation is a good thing.
ReplyDelete2) The problem addressed in this poem is life itself. The life in this case would be Oedipus’ and the hindrances in his life. This is exemplified in the first line when he must, “Endure what life God gives.” Even though this is put very bluntly it accurately portrays what the speaker is trying to get across to the audience; which is that there are numerous hardships throughout life and it is not always a “gay goodnight.” Oedipus’ life is also illustrated as the problem in this poem though the depiction of him having to suffer in life with family complications and other obstacles. Another example is personified in the last line of the 2nd stanza when the speaker describes the “God-hated children.” This leads one to conclude that even God himself was not on Oedipus’ side during his life. In stanza 4 the predicament is solved when it is stated that “Never to have lived is best.” The solution to the problem of life is death. Also death as the solution is revealed in the last line of the 3rd stanza, “I celebrate the silent kiss that ends short life or long.” This is pertaining to the thought of death being an escape for Oedipus from the heinous difficulties life put in his way.
ReplyDelete3) The mood of the poem is overwhelmingly dark and morbid. A depressing tone is expressed with the alliteration of “death, despair, [and] division of families.” Oedipus’s life is surrounded by the murder of his father and the suicide of his mother. He despairs because he turned out to be the criminal he so earnestly sought. This horrid discovery leads to his ruin and exile. The miserable tone is once again exemplified when the speaker refers to “these God-hated children.” By marrying his mother, Oedipus produces children born of incest. This offspring is against the natural order, and thoroughly disturbing. On a different note, death is portrayed as a positive. In Oedipus’s dire situation, death seems a favorable solution. The poem “celebrate[s] the silent kiss that ends short life or long.” However, the sin-ridden man does not take the easy way out, and instead cuts himself off from the world by means of sight.
ReplyDeleteAriana, I think you're statement about how the solution to the problem of life is death is very succinct. It sums up the message of the poem nicely, and also can be used for the Keats poems.
ReplyDeleteNicole I like your approach to the mood. When I read your analysis the words morbid and miserable reminded me of Frankenstein and how he was wretched. Although both characters abhor themselves and have committed crimes, neither controlled the fate of their existence. In the poem it states "In the long echoing street the laughing dancers throng," which gives a sense that Oedipus may being feeling mocked by their cheerful activities and as well be envious of their naive bliss. This would add to his misery, as joy is far from his reach and yet he is aware it exists. Frankenstein as well tried to find happiness in life that others did, but like Oedipus neither can achieve such because of their dire situation.
ReplyDelete2. The problem being explored in the poem is Oedipus’s internal struggles over dealing with the recent revelations that he had committed terrible sins. He has recently discovered that he murdered his father and married his mother. He has also undergone severe self-punishment in the form of banishment and gouging his own eyes out. In light of these issues, the poem deals with how Oedipus responds to his troubles. He clearly no longer wishes to live, as shown when he states, “I celebrate the silent kiss that ends short life or long.” He does recognize the presence of happiness in life for others, however, due to his deplorable situation, “delight [has] become death-longing.” In his shameful situation, Oedipus realizes his solutions or choices are limited. He cannot go on being a blind beggar forever, as the knowledge of his sins is too much to bear. He believes that “never to have lived is best,” however, he realizes that this implausible idea does not help solve his dilemma. Oedipus does think about “a gay goodnight and quickly turn[ing] away,” but ignoring his problems would not diminish their reality. The only reasonable solution that Oedipus recognizes is his own death and the solace it brings with it. The lesson that can be gained from this poem is a very morbid and depressing thought: that the only real respite from our troubles comes through death.
ReplyDelete1. The dramatic situation being addressed in Yeat’s “A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus at Colunus” is the same situation that is central in the myth of Oedipus. Oedipus unknowingly commits the terrible sin of murdering his father and marrying his mother, and must face the consequences of his actions. In the first two stanzas, the speaker warns the reader not to remember the joys of the past because from these joys arise “[d]eath, despair, [and] division of families.” This is a direct reference to Oedipus’s unintentional sin of marrying his mother. While their marriage was once a “delight,” the fact that Oedipus acts against the natural order leads to his downfall, as he turns into an “old wandering beggar.” His daughters, as products of sin, become “God-hated children” as well. The third stanza describes Oedipus’s feelings of alienation and loneliness after he discovers the truth of his sins. The speaker draws a contrast between the joyful celebrations that innocent people partake of and the final “celebration” that the sinful Oedipus longs for, which is death. In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker emphasizes the idea of escaping the pain of life through death. The reference to vision in the second to last line brings to mind Oedipus’s intentional blindness, which he used to escape the harsh reality of his sins. Although it may have been best if Oedipus had never “looked into the eye of day,” quick death is another way in which he can escape the harsh reality of his sins.
ReplyDelete5. “A Man Young And Old: XI. From Oedipus at Colonus” by William Butler Yeats talks about how Oedipus feels about his own life. The title itself seems to show the aging that Oedipus experiences in the discovery of his awful crimes. While he is young in years, he is probably old in appearance as well as in his mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The stress of the situation and search for the murderer of Laius only to find out that he is the killer places a great burden on him because he has been declaring he will find the offender when he is the one he is searching for. While Oedipus is physically young, he has become old in the pressure of both the situation and the outcome. The speaker in this poem is Oedipus as he is the one who would have learned the most about life and death in this story. The poem mentions “Death, despair, [and] division of families,” Oedipus experiencing each of these things. It is only fitting that he is the speaker because he inevitably questions why he even lives if it he is to be involved in such heinous activities. The audience that Oedipus is addressing is everyone, young and old, naïve or experienced, because each one has a life given to them by God, each will go through painful experiences, and each will question their purpose in life if things go wrong or if they need direction. In a sense, Oedipus is teaching every person what he has discovered about himself and has realized that the same thing can be said for others. He writes this poem as an idea of how every single life works, no matter how extreme; he is addressing his own acute situation and another’s less significant ordeal. The word usage is key here because the first word of the poem is “endure,” well placed because it gives the reader the sense that life is not a thing to be enjoyed, but a thing to slave through until one finally gets to meet their death. The poem’s title shows the reader that the speaker ages through his experiences and that it is addressed to everyone no matter how old they are and tells them that life is not to be cherished, but endured until they reach their time to die.
ReplyDelete3. This poem is spoken in an ominous tone. The acceptance of fate is addressed because it is necessary to take what you are given in order to move on. Oedipus' acceptance of his fate because it humbled him and added to his humility. All of Oedipus's memories that were once happy and enjoyable are now teeming with pain and regret. This was the same for Jocasta and this lead her to take her own life in a most shameful way. Oedupis refuses to take the easy escape of death. He therefore takes away his vision as punishment but also as his own way to be blind to the horrors that now make up his life. The tone of the poem adds to the graveness to the story of Oedipus with its depressing images of a deathly escape.
ReplyDeleteAlison, period 7
3. The mood of Yeat's poem "A Man Young and Old XI. From Oedipus At Colonus" is one of darkness and despair. The lines describe Oedipus' tragic experiences of a once happy, heroic man who is exhausted by the many unfortunate events that plague his life. Yeats utilizes both word choice and device to convey a sense of devastating hoeplessness to the reader. For example, "endure," the poem's first word reveals the dark tone of the poem right from the start. Also, the words "Death, despair, and division" are used to evoke disheartening feelings. The alliteration used here causes heaviness in the reading of these upsetting words, further emphasizing the ominous mood. Overall, Yeats approaches the story of Oedipus in a menacing way that evokes pity, saddness, and fear into the reader.
ReplyDeleteKelsey. Impressive:) I especially appreciate the structure of your response; it reflects the duality of focus in the selection (young old). It mentions usage (word choice); additonally, your analysis and commentary are exceptional. This is especially important in AP type response, according to the research. Well supported:) Your supports back your viewpoint. Overall, an outstanding effort!!
ReplyDeleteAnne. This is a good response. Choosing mood as a focus, you should pepper in some mention of tone (the reason that the mood is what it is). In discussion of mood, use phrases like "the reader feels" to further exemplify that you understand the difference between tone and mood. I do appreciate your viewpoint:)
ReplyDeleteAlison. I applaud that you took on a discussion of tone. However, use pharases like "the author's tone" to enahnce the difference between tone and mood, verifying that you understand the difference. Alos, you have the poem; use phrases from it to further your viewpoint. I see where you are headed, and it is a good direction:) Watch your articulation and support; this will enhance your discussion.
ReplyDeleteEmily V. I love the continuity of your response. You articulate your viewpoint early and trace it thrroughout the entire selection. Solid!! Also, you are fluid when blending quotes (the use of brackets). This demonstrates higher writing skills, many times the difference between a good score and a great one:) Good work!!
ReplyDeleteAriana. Your response touches upon the universality of, not only tthe Yeats poem, but also the original work by Sophocles. Understanding a poems place in the world and why it is a canon selection is very important. Universality speaks the the poems message and how that message transcends the work. Utilizing that term would ramp your response in terms of point value!! Your insight is outstanding!! Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteThe title "A Man Young And Old XI. From Oedipus at Colonus" implies that the man has qualities that make him both young and old at the sametime. In regards to Oedipus he is young simply because of his physical age. On the other hand, Oedipus is an old man because of his experiences and as Alexis said his sins thus making him a "travel-wearied aged man" as stated in stanza 1. In stanzas 2 and 3 the speaker brings up memories about the "division of families" and and a wedding night making Oedipus the speaker because he killed his father and married his mother.
ReplyDeleteThe audience of this Ode is intended for Oedipus himself as a way for him to reflect upon his experiences and actions and whether to keep living or embrace death. Finally, when I read "never to have looked into the eye of day" I found a connection to Oedipus because he never saw the truth until the very end and was unable to cope with it and as a result blinded himself in an attempt to continue to hide from it.
I have a question...when the speaker refers to God in the poem, is he referring to the one and only God or the gods? I know he says "God," but is that just because he is from another time period? If Sophocles had written this poem, do you think he would have used "gods" instead of "God?" When I read the poem, I can't help but think that he is reffering to the Olympians and not God.
ReplyDeleteThe mood of “A Man Young And Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus”, a poem written by Yeats, is one of acceptance. Oedipus is the speaker and it is as if he is trying to give the reader advice on how to live his or her life. Oedipus has learned that what he thought belonged to him, was in fact only a gift given to him by the gods and that at any moment he has to be prepared to move on. After many years of suffering he has accepted his fate and that one must “endure what life God gives you.” There were many joyful years in his life and he says that it is necessary for one to “cease to remember” those happy times because remembering only causes one to long and pray for something better, while, in actuality, one should be content with the current situation. In thinking that he had the perfect life, Oedipus was blinded to his wrongful deeds and he was severely punished. So, instead of wishing for change and joining in the celebrations when he sees the exciting scenes in the streets, Oedipus tells the reader that he celebrates “the silent kiss.” He is ready to move on whenever fate allows him to and he accepts that. This acceptance of his life has caused Oedipus to evolve from blind and young, to elderly and wise. Finally, at the end of his life Oedipus is desired by Athens because the city that he dies in will have much fortune and he is no longer full of misery but light heartedness. The reader can feel this at the end of the poem when Oedipus says “a gay goodnight” and shows that he is happily moving on.
ReplyDeleteKelsey:
ReplyDeleteI think that he is referring to the Olympians. In Oedipus Rex all of the characters including the chorus say god every once in a while instead of gods. Example:
"the greatly miserable, whom God too hates"
Oedipus says this very close to the ending of Oedipus Rex. I think that he is referring to all of the gods.
Okay. Thanks, Natalie. I just think it is weird how the Greeks actually believe in the gods (while the Romans do not), but they still refer to "the" God.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you know about Yeats? Could that explain the God/gods usage?
ReplyDelete1. the dramatic situation that is being spoken of is the story of Oedipus Rex. The first stanza is talking about how Oedipus strived to find the identity of the murderer who killed the previous King, Laios. However, to his horror, Oedipus himself was the murderer. His determination to find the murderer led to his own undoing and to his fall from power to a beggar. The first stanza, "Endure what life God gives and ask no longer span" is a warning about seeking knowledge that one is better off not knowing or looking into. This reminds me of Victor Frankenstein. Victor like Oedipus was driven to find knowledge that led to his own undoing and the book serves as a warning for those seeking knowledge that should not be discovered. In the second stanza, the speaker is referring to how memories should not be dwelled upon because even though they are "delight", they however bring "death and despair". In the begining, Oedipus' marriage was delightful and his belief that he prevented his prophecy. To his horror, however, the prophecy did come true and his marriage brought death and despair to himself, mother/wife, and to his people. Therefore his children were "God-hated" because they were produced from incest. The third stanza is describing some of the joys in life that Oedipus will not share because of his fate and it also shows how he is an outcast. In the fourth and final stanza, the speaker is referring to how it would have been best if Oedipus had never lived, so that his life would not have been a miserable, sad story. The last line, "The second best's a gay goodnight and quickly turn away", is referring to Oedipus' last hope, death. Death is his only escape and peace.
ReplyDelete5. The title of William Butler Yeats' poem “A Man Young And Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus” suggests less about true age as it does the wisdom that comes with that aging process. Oedipus was, throughout the youthful years of his life, a truely wretched man and, although he acted with noble intentions, he inevitably brought horrible pains to his people in his attempt to evade the prophacy's forthcoming. In this poem Oedipus is adressing the next generation, showing himself as new and wise, advising them not to try and combat fate saying, "Endure what life God gives and ask no longer span." Oedipus is also reminding the audience that death is the only peace that one will recieve in the last line of the third stanza and advising the next generation to accept, embrace and wish for death ultimately showing his progression from "young" and ignorant to "old" and wise.
ReplyDeleteKelsey
ReplyDeleteWhen Yeats studied at the Metropolitan School of Art, he met the poet, dramatist, and painter George Russell who was interesed in mysticism and influenced Yeats. Yeats became intrigued by mysticism, Irish mythology and folklore. Thus Yeats may have used the terms gods and God interchangeably due to this influence.
2) The problem being explored in "A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus at Colonus" is life, more specifically, Oedipus' life. Even in his happiest moments, there hides "[d]eath, despair, [and] division of families." This refers to his unintentional crimes of killing his father and marrying his mother, leading to her suicide. Oedipus was a wise, admired figure who was cursed by an unfortunate sequence of occurances in his life despite his overall respectability. These events also affect his "God-hated children," referring to his and Jocasta's children, created through incest. Perhaps the only solution to life is death, or "[n]ever to havve drawn the breath of life". Although it is not a very cheerful solution, death is the ultimate escape from the cruelties of life that can affect even the most commendable people.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is has a very foreboding tone. Fate also plays a role because one must accept their fate as it is unavoidable. Oedipus shows nobility of character when he accepts his fate and does what he believes is right, making him a morally positive person. Jocasta, on the other hand, did not accept her fate for what it was and took the "easy way out" by killing herself. Oedipus wants to punish himself, not kill himself, for his actions, even though his fate was beyond his control. Blinding himself makes for a dual punishment by making himself tormented by blindness but also to leave in his mind his last memory; Jocasta hanging herself. The poem's tone is gloomy and dark, probably because the author wanted to convey Oedipus' inner feelings of regret, suffering, and self-torment.
ReplyDeleteBrian. While I appreciate your choice of topic, I think that you could go a little more in depth regarding the topic, especially relating to Jocasta. The analysis sounds unsure and indefinite. Also, you lack support (you have the poem...use it). Perhaps you should rethink your response, giving it a little more preorganization.
ReplyDeleteWell, I read that Yeats used spiritualism in his poetry which contemplated the minds of both man and God. So maybe he was using spiritualism in this poem because he talks about how man feels about his life and how God feels about that life he created.
ReplyDelete2:
ReplyDeleteThe lesson that "A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus at Colonus" is trying to express is a defeatism idea that life should not be enjoyed, but should be endured for as long as fate allows. This expression of pessimism towards life is understandable, as the speaker of the poem is Oedipus, who had realized the injustices of life and blinded himself in misery in order to avoid the pains of consequence that occur from decisions in life. The speaker starts his lecture with he powerful and depressing advice to "Endure what life God gives you and no longer span," which immediately gives the impression that the speaker has accepted the position of suboridinance to fate and its potential to create depression and unhappiness. The speaker continues in the next two stanzas to explain to listeners how people should not dwell on cheerful moments, as they only create more suffering by existing as memories of a happier life that can no longer exist. The speaker expresses how such happy thoughts only promotes a false sense of optimism and that eventually fate will take life's potential for bliss and dash it aside through misfortune and infirmities. The speaker does finally propose a way to escape the cruel grip of fate and life and that is through death. Death is the only aspect of life that should be celebrated as shown by the statement, "I celebrate the silent kiss that ends short life or long." Finally, the speaker shows a discrepancy in his own advice as he begins to long for an event that can no longer happen, but instead of wishing for happier days from his youth he wishes that he never was born in the first place. He tells how happiness is only gained through never experiencing the challenges of mortality, or by leaving life early through a "gay goodnight and quickly turn away." That quote can be interpreted as an early death, as "goodnight" signifies sleep and sleep is associated with death. Overall, the lesson that the speaker hopes to instill in others is that life is not to be enjoyed, but to be endured until one can finally escape the inevitable doom of mortality.
1. The dramatic situation that troubles the speaker in William Yeats's poem "A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus" is Oedipus's internal conflict arising from the tragic events that befall him. According to Greek mythology, Oedipus unknowingly murders his father and takes his mother as a bride, fathering children with her. When Oedipus discovers the unpleasant truth of his sins, his entire life begins to fall apart as he faces the consequences of his misfortune. The speaker in the poem warns of the inescapable aspect of fate, advising to "endure what life God gives." In the first 2 stanzas the speaker also warns of the "delights of youth," as the former source of Oedipus's delights was also the source of his horrible sins, that being his throne and queen. The truth of this situation led to his transformation into an "old wandering beggar." In the third and fourth stanzas, the speaker refers to the internal struggle endured by Oedipus after the truth had been revealed. The speaker notes his favor of "the silent kiss that ends short life or long," which refers to Oedipus's longing for the ever present escape of death. Oedipus is left in his wretched state pondering whether it would have been best "never to have lived...[or] to have looked into the eye of day," the latter being the most likely reason for Oedipus's self punishment of removing his eyes. In the end, Oedipus is left with little options. He considers a choice between the quick escape of death, or the less practical option of ignoring the events with "a gay goodnight and quickly turn[ing] away."
ReplyDelete2. The problem being explored in the poem is life itself. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus comes to the realization that the evil prophecy he was given has come true: he married his mother after killing his father. Oedipus’s situation relates to Yeats’s poem. The “old wandering beggar” is Oedipus while the “God-hated children” are his daughters, Antigone and Ismene. After Oedipus committed his crimes, he was exiled and became a blind beggar. He lost everything and lived in misery. His daughters would have been ridiculed and left as outcasts in this time period, even though they did nothing wrong and were only victims in the situation. The meaning of the poem can be summed up in one line: “Never to have lived is best of all.” As the truth comes out, Oedipus feels as though he never should have been born. Without him, the pain he caused to all his family and his kingdom would be nonexistent. There is no way to escape living all together. The speaker recognizes this fact and advises the reader (and Oedipus) to “endure what life God gives and ask no longer span.” According to the speaker, the only solution to life is death.
ReplyDelete3.) The mood of “A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus at Colonus” by William Butler Yeats is overwhelmingly dreary and disheartening. The speaker finds no hope in life and sees death as the only way to escape the life all must ‘endure’. This alludes to the life of Oedipus in that, though he lived with the most honorable intentions life dealt him a wretched hand. Thus with all the torments of his life, death was something Oedipus went into with a resigned welcome. The speaker is of the same mind as Oedipus and his tone, as well as, his literary devices reflect the mood of the poem. For example in the second stanza the speaker uses the alliteration, “death, despair, divisions of family,” to emphasize the forlorn feelings one experiences throughout life. As the speaker sees it, life at any length is a tragedy and he thus shows this to his audience through his wish for the, “silent kiss that ends life short or long.” This silent kiss is obviously symbolic of death, though the comparison is ironic for many don’t consider death so intimately and the reader is somewhat shocked at the complete resign of the speaker. In Oedipus’ case however, it makes sense that death would be a place of comfort and a way to escape all the horrors of his life. One final point the reader notices is that the speaker calmly introduces the idea of never having been born at all. This solemn tone is appealing for without life one would never have to deal with the corruption of the world and self. Once again, returning to Oedipus the reader sees the same mood of despair and a wish to never have existed in the first place. Therefore Yeats’ poem speaks to the despondency of life and the bleak mood suggests that life is a burden, better ended quickly to diminish potential suffering.
ReplyDelete2) In "A Man Young And Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus," the problem being addressed is Oedipus' own treacherous life. He has recently come to knowledge of the wretched sins he has committed. These sins involving the murder of this father and marriage with his mother, which later was the cause of her suicide. He struggles with the living proof of his "God-hated children," driving him to despise his live even more. Thus far Oedipus has had to "Endure what life God gives." All of the painful hardships that have faced Oedipus has tempted him to escape. Oedipus recognizes that there is joy but his wrongdoings overpower the light of happiness. Now he feels the unwanted emptiness and "Cease to remember the delights of youth." Possibly the only solution is at last, death, "the silent kiss that ends short life."
ReplyDelete2. "A Man Young And Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus" by William Butler Yeats explores Oedipus' unfathomable haunting life. Throughout the ignorant acts of his youth, he attempts to evade the prophecy of the gods that he should one day slay his father and beget the children of his mother. Ironically, he fulfills the oracle and is later enlightened of the terrible deeds he has committed. "A Man Young And Old" is spoken through Oedipus as an internal conflict, reflecting on the choices he had once made. "Even from that delight memory treasures so, Death, despair,[and] divison of families, all entanglements of mankind grow," seeming to Oedipus that from the pleasures of the past, the present results in turmoil. He dreads the fact that he had sought out the truth and wished he "never to have looked into the eye of the day" so that he would still live in blissful ignorance. He embraces the option of death as he shall "celebrate the silent kiss the ends the short life or long." Though he feels his life should never have survived, Oedipus knows that one must "Endure what life God gives..."
ReplyDelete3. From the first line of “A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus” it is clear that the mood of the poem will be very morose. As the speaker begins to address the typically optimistic subject, life, they have already introduced vocabulary which evokes emotions of despair. To describe life as being something a person must simply “endure” is a very pessimistic outlook. As the speaker continues to reason why it is best “Never to have drawn the breath of life,” the mood remains dark and it is clear that the speaker has experienced something quite deplorable during his life journey. The poem awakens feelings of sympathy in the hearts of its readers. The poem also leaves the reader wondering if there is truth in the speaker’s advice which adds a foreboding feel to the poem. The mood and tone of William Butler Yeats’ poem truly captures the essence of a life, such as Oedipus’, ruined by catastrophe.
ReplyDeleteThe tone of this poem is very depressing. It seems to say that life is not the gleeful state it is normally viewed as. The first stanza is a paradox in that it states that delight turns into a longing for death, when death is least of all associated to joy in our culture. It is more viewed as something to be scared of than something to want. Also, in that same stanza it is also said we should not long for a long life, contradictory to what many people want. In general, this stanza sets the tone as very gloomy. In stanza 2, the statement that death and despair, among other things, comes to mankind also emodies this tone. "Never to have lived is best" seems to best imply the feeling this poem gives us.
ReplyDelete5. The title "A Man Young And Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus" is a paradox revealing how the character is young in age but old in thought and mindset. Oedipus could be seen as this man because he was a young man in the prime of his life when it was torn apart by the events that occured. This then created an older mindset in him, because he knew the harsh cruelness of the world. Young people are not supposed to have a care in the world, but he went through many hardships that not even aged people know. The speaker in this poem is Oedipus himself because all of the versus relate to his story and in particular in the third stanza he states "I celebrate the silent kiss that ends short life or long". This reveals another faction of his life in which his life could be seen as both short or long. He had a short life because he was so young when all the tragic events occured, but in his mind it was made long because he has to endure the consequences of what he unknowingly did.The intended audience is all mankind so that every person can realize that life can be cruel and the best thing a person can do is say "a gay goodnight and quickly turn away".
ReplyDelete3. It is no coincidence that William Butler Yeats' poem "A Man Young and Old: XI; From Oedipus at Colonus" stimulates feelings similar to those invoked by Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. Because the poem is focused on Oedipus and his wretched situation, many of the same emotions are brought up. When reading Yeats’ poem, the audience gets a feeling of anguish and desolation, two sentiments constantly occupying Oedipus. This feeling of hopelessness is expressed through the author’s utilization of words such as “death, despair, [and] division…” and his use of language to effectively communicate Oedipus’ desolation and despondency to his audience. In accordance with the mood of the poem, Yeats clearly expresses his extremely pessimistic attitude towards life. He asks the reader to simply “Endure what life God gives and ask no longer span” and insists that “Never to have lived is best.” The author’s cynical tone toward existence is mirrored in the mood the reader acquires from the poem: the desperate suggestion that all humans can do is endure the merciless suffering brought down upon them by Fate and the Gods.
ReplyDelete3. The overall tone of the poem is very melancholic. Yeats says to "endure the life God gives," rather than "enjoy" or "celebrate." In this poem, life in a burden to be tolerated until death. Yeats says that, however happy youth is, "death, despair, division of families, all entanglements of mankind grow." He seems to believe that happiness is a fleeting, temporary feeling that only the youthful have. In regards to Oedipus Rex, the youth Yeats talks about could by symbolic for Oedipus' ignorance about what he has done (as youth is often a metaphor for ignorance). As Oedipus gets pulled deeper and deeper into the twisted tale of his past, he "ages," but in terms of knowledge and despair rather than years. His knowledge of what he has done certainly takes the enthusiasm out of his ability to lead as a king.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the poem, Yeats says that "never to have lived is best, ancient writers say." At the end of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is left as a blind beggar and wanderer with no shred of evidence that he was ever in a position of power. A passer-by would think nothing of him, as if he never existed.
The structure of the poem seems to loosely describe Oedipus' life: in youth (or ignorance), he is happy. He is fated to "age" (or learn about his past; like age, this was unavoidable due to the plague in Thebes) and find an uncomfortable solace only in death (exiling himself and losing everything).
Annie:
ReplyDeleteI like how you mentioned the intimacy of the "kiss of death" thing. It seems like Yeats is saying that Oedipus had some kind of familiarity with death even though he didn't know it. Having killed his father, it seems only natural that Oedipus is primally aware of some kind of connection between the himself and death, since he was the bringer of it to one of his parents. The Greek theme of Fate is definitely prominant in Oedipus' life.
How the reader feels about the poem affects the way they perceive the poem. The mood in William Butler Yeats “A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus” is established as dismal but very blunt. The story of Oedipus quickly progresses from innocent ruler to murdering outcast who commits incest. Some argue it develops very hastily. In congruence with the story, the poem’s four stanzas with three lines each enhances it’s frankness through the way the lines are a sort of list. What Yeats is trying to convey is the reality of death and how accepting death is the best option when it is your time. This depressing knowledge is also felt through the alliteration in the poem. The hard “d” sound in the line “Death, despair, division of families” expresses the heavy, gloomy outlook on life. Although Yeats grew up around very artistically free home, he moved around a lot and often missed his home in Dublin, Ireland. His depressing state comes through in the poem. He had to learn early on that life is not fair. This tone comes through in the poem with the frankness of the lines and the dreary feeling seen in the alliteration.
ReplyDeleteUpon reading "A Young Man And Old" one may feel detached from life and overall somber. The speaker makes a general assumption that death is inevitable, so there is absolutley no point in trying to prolong a miserable exisitence: "Death, despair, division of families, all entanglements of mandkind grow." The descriptions from this line create an atmosphere of doubt and pessimism with readers, swaying them to focus only on the negitive aspects of life. This is fitting for Yeates and a prime example of tone, because he lived a horrible life himself, full of personal misery. It makes sense that Yeates would go to this dark place because it replicates the events that occurred in his own life. In addition to Yeates discussing the sad entities life has to offer, he also states that despite someones experience, death should be commemorated: “I celebrate the silent kiss that ends short life or long.” Nevertheless, the speakers fatalistic tone leaves the audience in a melancholic state, through imagery of human essence and vivacity being downplayed and given grim connotations: “Never to have lived is best, ancient writers say; Never to have been the breath of life, never to have looked into the eye of day.”
ReplyDelete3. It's clear that throughout "Oedipus at Colonus," Yeats uses a melancholy tone. Though he mentions life can be delightful in one's younger years, he dwells on the fact that it will all come to an end: "Delight becomes death." Yeats reveals the idea that there is no hope in escaping "death, depair,[or] division of families," inevitable experiences in life that are seldomly acknowledged due to the bleak feelings that follow. Yeats emphasizes that as one grows older, complications arise swifter and harsher than before. Oedipus' coming of unfathumable knowledge that leads to the loss of his power, family, and self-dignity exemply this theory. The concept that "Never to have lived is best" highlights the disheartening atmosphere of the poem, convincing the audience that life is so hopeless and distressing that it is not even worth living. Even the opinion that "second best's a gay goodnight and [that one should] quickly turn away" indicates that it is better for one to be alone than experience our abstruse world. The poet Yeats' pessimistic voice discourages and disturbs the audience, leaving one with gloomy outlook on life.
ReplyDeleteIn "A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus at Colonus," Yeats uses both mood and tone to emphasize his major themes. From the very first stanza, Yeats develops his tone by using very grave and pessimistic words of death, describing how "delight becomes death-longing" and then continues to give details on how it is better to have lived than not lived at all. His somber words create a distinct tone of an extremely tragic voice, thus creating a mood of sadness and despair among the audience. Yeats says he "celebrate(s) the silent kiss that ends the short life or long," which leaves no feeling of hope, no feeling of optimisim in the audience. This directly relates to the story of Oedipus, due to the relative tragic nature that Oedipus endured as well: a life too horrible to experience. When Yeats addresses the aspects of this horrible life in stanza two he directly describes horrors that Oedipus himself had to go through "Death, despair, division of families," thus not only creating a mood of somberness and tone of utter despair but also connecting it to the play itself.
ReplyDelete3. In "A Man Young and Old: XI. From Oedipus At Colonus," Yeats portrays the theme through the mood and tone of the poem. The mood of the poem is very somber and despondent. Yeats explores the idea of a melancholic character, Oedipus, wishing he had never been born. This idea is executed through the mood by using phrases like "Delight becomes death-longing," which suggests taht all hope and happiness are gone, and turn into despair. In the poem, Yeats writes, "Death, despair, division of families, all entanglements of mankind grow," which enforces the idea that death, despair and family divisions are inevitable and inescapable. In addition, he says, "Never to have lived is best," which shows that the author's tone is melancholic by suggesting that Oedipus wished to have never even been born. Thus, Yeats' tone and mood emphasize his woeful outlook through his words in "A Man Young And Old: XI. From Oedipus at Colonus."
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