Emotional Effects in "Leda and the Swan"

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews the poem, "Leda and the Swan" written by William Butler Yeats. This paper states that through applicable criteria posed by Meyer, one realizes that the choice of words, form and meter of the poem contribute, along with the symbolism and historical context, to an emotional experience for the reader. Yeats' premise is the relationship of man to the divine, and as such, invites a visceral emotional experience. The paper then explains that Yeats expands the myth of Leda and the Swan into a universal metaphor for the violation of the human by the divine.

From the Paper:

"In spite of the brevity of the poem and its deceptively simple language, William Butler Yeats created both a strong emotional impact and a provocative philosophical question in "Leda and the Swan." One of mankind's most puzzling and heart-wrenching dilemmas has always been his relationship to the divine, and the attitude of his gods or God to him. In "Leda and the Swan", Yeats examined the harrowing nature of divine power and knowledge, as it exploits and abuses human weakness and ignorance. The background of the poem is the well-known myth of the chief Olympian god, Zeus, who adopted many guises to seduce or rape mortal women in order to escape the eye of his wife, the jealous goddess, Hera."

More papers on Emotional Effects in "Leda and the Swan":

• Analytical Essay # 146848 : "Female Power in "Leda and the Swan"
• Poem Review # 111952 : "W.B. Yeats' "Leda and the Swan"
• Poem Review # 61103 : "Leda and the Swan"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: