The Wild Swans at Coole (W.B. Yeats) — Flashcards

Answer

W.B. Yeats is the Irish poet, dramatist and mystic who wrote the poem. He was one of the driving forces behind the Irish Literary Revival, co-founded the Abbey Theatre, and received the Nobel Prize fo…

Answer

The poem is set during the October twilight, with dry woodland paths, autumn beauty of the trees, and still water under a quiet sky. This setting creates a peaceful but thoughtful mood.

Answer

The speaker counts nine-and-fifty swans, which means fifty-nine swans. The exact number adds precision and helps build the poem's sense of wonder and memory.

Answer

It means nineteen years have passed since the speaker first counted the swans. It does not refer to the speaker's age or the swans' age. The line shows the passage of time and the speaker's long memor…

Answer

The speaker's heart is sore because he feels the pain of aging and change. He remembers his earlier self with a lighter tread, and this makes the present feel heavier and more sorrowful.

Answer

It means the swans rise into flight suddenly. The movement is quick and graceful, and it shows their alertness and energy.

Answer

The line creates a vivid picture of the swans flying in large broken circles across the sky. The movement suggests freedom, beauty, and controlled power.

Answer

It suggests the sound made by the swans' wings as they fly. The word 'clamorous' makes the flight seem full of energy and noise, not silent and delicate.