The Collected Poems of W.B. Yeats (Wordsworth Poetry Library) by W.B. Yeats

by W.B. Yeats

Genres: Poetry

Unknown Binding

About the author

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years Yeats served as an Irish Senator for two terms. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival, and along with Lady Gregory and Edward Martyn founded the Abbey Theatre, serving as its chief during its early years. In 1923 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for what the Nobel Committee described as "inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation." He was the first Irishman so honored. Yeats is generally considered one of the few writers who completed their greatest works after being awarded the Nobel Prize; such works include The Tower (1928) and The Winding Stair and Other Poems (1929).

Yeats was born and educated in Dublin but spent his childhood in County Sligo. He studied poetry in his youth, and from an early age was fascinated by both Irish legends and the occult. Those topics feature in the first phase of his work, which lasted roughly until the turn of the century. His earliest volume of verse was published in 1889, and those slow paced and lyrical poems display debts to Edmund Spenser and Percy Bysshe Shelley, as well as to the Pre-Raphaelite poets. From 1900, Yeats' poetry grew more physical and realistic. He largely renounced the transcendental beliefs of his youth, though he remained preoccupied with physical and spiritual masks, as well as with cyclical theories of life.
--from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Taylor Franson-Thiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's kinda wild to get on Goodreads and rate someone like Yeats because literally if you know poetry you know the canon already.

I will say, I liked his stuff and I was genuinely surprised by how funny some of these poems were. Like, I found a few of these to be incredibly humorous poetry. Seems like he may have had a cool personality? let me google really quick. (I guess he was a creep nevermind).

[Jerome Berglund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive and diverse showcase demonstrating the author's prolific career and expansive range, diversity of oeuvre. At his best Yeats demonstrates the height of what our English language is capable of achieving, his work deserves an esteemed place in the highest echelon of poetry and prose, and the many rich allusions, layered flights, intricately carved facets invite thoughtful and enriching study which can withstand many readings, sparking appreciation that only increases with continued examination. A spectacular collection expertly assembled.

[Matias Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would read this collection sporadically throughout the semester; although I definitely didn’t read every single poem in here I’m just going to count having read it.