Member-only story

The Original 1925 Version The Collected Works Of Yeats: A Literary Masterpiece and Historical Landmark

Bruce Snyder

·18.8k Followers· Follow

Published in The Collected Works Of W B Yeats Volume XIII: A Vision: The Original 1925 Version (The Collected Works Of W B Yeats)

5 min read

172 View Claps

14 Respond

Save

Listen

William Butler Yeats, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, left behind a remarkable literary legacy that continues to inspire and captivate readers worldwide. Among his many notable works, The Collected Works of William Butler Yeats, first published in 1925, stands as a towering achievement, a testament to his poetic prowess and an invaluable resource for scholars and literary enthusiasts alike.

The Collected Works of W.B. Yeats Volume XIII: A Vision: The Original 1925 Version (The Collected Works of W. B. Yeats)

by Simon Webb

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4437 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	452 pages

Historical Context and Significance

The publication of The Collected Works of Yeats coincided with a pivotal period in Yeats's life and literary career. Having established himself as a leading figure in the Irish Literary Revival, Yeats was in his mid-fifties and had already produced a significant body of work. However, this collection represented a milestone, bringing together for the first time the entirety of his published poetry and plays, as well as a selection of his prose and letters.

The collection's release was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, solidifying Yeats's reputation as one of the most important writers of his time. It also played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating his work, ensuring that future generations would have access to the full range of his literary output.

Contents and Structure

The original 1925 edition of The Collected Works of Yeats comprised eight volumes, each containing a distinct category of Yeats's writings:

The Poems
The Plays
The Prose
The Letters
The Early Poems and Stories
The Variorum Edition of the Plays
The Bibliography
The Index

The centerpiece of the collection is undoubtedly The Poems, a comprehensive anthology of Yeats's verse up to that point in his career. This volume includes all of his major works, from the early lyrical poems of The Wanderings of Oisin to the visionary masterpieces of The Tower.

The Plays volume showcases Yeats's significant contributions to Irish drama. It features his early symbolist plays, such as The Countess Cathleen, as well as his later experimental works, including At the Hawk's Well and Purgatory.

The Prose volume collects a variety of Yeats's non-fictional writings, including essays, lectures, and political speeches. These pieces offer valuable insights into Yeats's literary theory, his views on Irish culture, and his engagement with the social and political issues of his time.

The Letters volume provides a fascinating glimpse into Yeats's personal life and intellectual development. The letters span several decades and include correspondence with literary contemporaries, friends, and family members.

The remaining volumes in the collection serve as important reference tools for scholars and researchers. The Early Poems and Stories presents Yeats's earliest literary efforts, while The Variorum Edition of the Plays provides a detailed history of the development of his dramatic works. The Bibliography offers a comprehensive listing of Yeats's published works, and The Index provides easy access to specific works and topics within the collection.

Themes and Literary Significance

The Collected Works of Yeats offers a comprehensive overview of the poet's major themes and concerns. Throughout his career, Yeats explored a wide range of subjects, including love, loss, identity, history, and the supernatural. His poetry is often marked by a haunting beauty and a profound sense of longing.

Yeats's early work was heavily influenced by the Irish Literary Revival and the Celtic Revival. He sought to create a uniquely Irish literature that would express the spirit and culture of his homeland. Poems like "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" and "The Song of Wandering Aengus" capture the beauty and mystery of the Irish landscape and mythology.

As Yeats matured as a poet, he became increasingly preoccupied with the themes of love and loss. Many of his poems explore the complexities of romantic relationships, the pain of heartbreak, and the search for lasting love. "When You Are Old" and "The Second Coming" are two of his most famous and poignant poems on these themes.

Yeats was also a deeply historical poet, and his work is often informed by his extensive knowledge of Irish and world history. Poems like "Easter 1916" and "The Second Coming" reflect his engagement with the political and social upheavals of his time.

In addition to his exploration of traditional themes, Yeats was also a pioneer of modernism in poetry. He experimented with

The Collected Works of W.B. Yeats Volume XIII: A Vision: The Original 1925 Version (The Collected Works of W. B. Yeats)

by Simon Webb

5 out of 5