William Butler Yeats - Early Poetry and Irish Identity

Explore the early poetry of William Butler Yeats in this 46-minute lecture from Yale University's Modern Poetry course. Delve into Yeats's ambitions as an Irish poet and his commitment to symbolic poetry through an analysis of "The Song of the Wandering Aengus." Examine how "A Coat" reflects Yeats's evolving style and search for a new audience following his efforts in Irish national theater. Investigate "The Fisherman" as a reimagining of earlier themes with a fresh perspective. The lecture covers Yeats's introduction, his connection to King Goll, and in-depth discussions of three significant poems, offering a comprehensive look at the poet's early work and artistic development.

- Chapter 1. Introduction: William Butler Yeats.
- Chapter 2. W. B. Yeats and King Goll.
- Chapter 3. W. B. Yeats Poem: "The Song of the Wandering Aengus".
- Chapter 4. W. B. Yeats Poem: "A Coat".
- Chapter 5. W. B. Yeats Poem: "The Fisherman".