Celtic Christianity And “The Secret Rose” Essay, Research Paper
In William Butler Yeats’ The Secret Rose, the author develops his theme through choice of diction, imagery, symbolism, and scansion. Yeats’ Irish background is an influential factor in terms of the tone with which he addresses religious beliefs, and an acceptable interpretation of The Secret Rose depends on one’s knowledge of Celtic history and tradition.
Throughout his poem, Yeats uses a great deal of symbolism in describing the well-known events that surround the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Every line is significant in terms of how one understands the statements (and questions) Yeats is posing. The Secret Rose is in itself, a noteworthy title, because it sums up the fixation of the poem in three simple words. The rose is a direct metaphor for Jesus Christ: it suggests purity and more importantly, it is described as, “secret” and “inviolate.” A rose also brings to mind a mental picture of the color red, a hue that is often associated with sinfulness and passion. This makes the flower an especially appropriate symbol in that Jesus Christ died for the sins of his followers. Yeats’ also uses language in shades of red, like “wine-stained,” to describe the sometimes immoral character of human nature.
To add familiarity and understanding to a potentially confusing poem, Yeats includes several allusions to Biblical and mythological figures in The Secret Rose. He refers to the tomb in which Jesus was laid after his crucifixion: “the Holy Sepulchre,” the three Kings: “the crowned Magi,” and God the Father: “the king whose eyes / Saw the pierced Hands.” True to his Celtic roots, Yeats’ also includes a reference to Emer, the wife of the legendary Irish hero Cu Chulainn. Moreover, Yeats includes several Irish symbols, for example, “the ancient beards.” During the Romantic period in Ireland, many artists depicted respected religious figures with long, white beards; Yeats’ allusion serves to strengthen the Irish roots of his poem.
Yeats’ style is quite prayerful- his voice at first resembles an aged person who is seeking comfort as he reaches his final days on Earth. At the end of the poem, Yeats’ voice has become one of assurance and anticipation. This change in voice is quite effective in developing the idea that living is a circular event, and death is certainly not a final destination. Furthermore, this belief is consistent with the Celtic conviction that death must come before birth in the circle of life because there must be room for new growth before it can occur.
The meter and rhyme scheme of Yeats’ poem are similarly structured to coincide with the belief that life is an unending cycle. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, in pairs of rhyming couplets, and the first rhyming couplet rhymes with the final couplet as well. In returning to the original rhyme, Yeats’ reinforces the belief that life will continue in a non-terminal circle.
The theme of Yeats’ poem deals with the anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ, a very Christian viewpoint. However, in his writing Yeats incorporates an important part of his heritage: the Druids, an ancient order of priests that played a pivotal part in the growth of Christianity in Ireland. “In Druid vapour and make the torches dim; / Till vain frenzy awoke and he died; and him / Who met Fand walking among flaming dew / By a grey shore where the wind never blew.” Yeats’ language in this passage is especially important because it suggests some kind of religious ceremony. (”vapour,” “flaming dew,” “frenzy,” “grey shore”) The Druids observed a series of Holy days, or “fire festivals,” throughout the year on twelve-week intervals. These days were believed to be the best time for sacrifices and divinations. The passage from The Secret Rose points specifically to Samhain, the Druid Feast of the Dead. The Druids believed that on this Holy day, the boundary between earth and the “otherworld” was very weak, so therefore passage twixt the worlds was smoother. It was tradition to create huge bonfires in honor of the departed on this Holy day, and the fires were regarded as a symbol of the passage of life, as well as rebirth. The fiery diction Yeats’ uses in his passage to describe such a celebration is further evidence in support of Samhain.
The Secret Rose is a poem that incorporates a variety of literary devices to reinforce its theme and meaning. Using a great amount of symbolism and imagery, William Butler Yeats communicated his feelings regarding the Christian religion without sacrificing his pride in Irish heritage.