Poem Analysis - He Gives His Beloved Certain Rhymes

A Gift of Sorrowful Beauty

William Butler Yeats' "He Gives His Beloved Certain Rhymes" is a short but powerful declaration of love, expressed through the lens of sorrow and admiration. The poem carries a tone of profound reverence, almost worship, for the beloved, elevating her to a near-mythical status. While the initial focus is on the act of creating poetry for her, the poem quickly shifts to emphasize the overwhelming effect of her beauty and presence on the world around her. This creates a sense of both intimate devotion and grand, almost cosmic, appreciation.

The Artist's Labor and the Beloved's Power

One central theme is the power of art to capture and convey deep emotion. The first stanza describes the laborious process of creating poetry: "I bade my heart build these poor rhymes." The phrase "day out, day in" underscores the dedication and effort involved. However, the poem also highlights the limitations of art in the face of true beauty. The speaker acknowledges the rhymes are "poor," suggesting they are inadequate to fully express the magnitude of his love. The poem then contrasts this artistic struggle with the beloved's effortless power. She need only "lift a pearl-pale hand, / And bind up your long hair and sigh" to ignite passion and transform the world around her.

Beauty and Its Devastating Effect

A primary theme is the destructive and transformative power of beauty. The second stanza is entirely devoted to illustrating this. Her simple actions – tying her hair and sighing – cause "all men's hearts to burn and beat." This suggests a universal and uncontrollable response to her allure. The imagery of "candle-like foam on the dim sand" and "stars climbing the dew-dropping sky" further emphasizes the overwhelming impact of her presence. These natural elements are not merely beautiful; they "live but to light your passing feet," existing solely to serve and illuminate her.

Battles of Old Times: Suffering Transmuted

The poem uses imagery to explore how suffering can be transformed into something beautiful. The "battles of old times," mentioned in the first stanza, suggest a history of pain and hardship. The speaker's heart builds "a sorrowful loveliness / Out of the battles of old times." This implies that even past trauma can be a source of inspiration and beauty, particularly when channeled through art and offered as a tribute to love. It raises the question of whether the sorrowful loveliness refers to the poem itself, the beloved's beauty born from hardship, or the speaker's love deepened by past suffering.

A Lasting Impression

In conclusion, "He Gives His Beloved Certain Rhymes" is a testament to the overwhelming power of love and beauty. Yeats contrasts the dedicated effort of artistic creation with the effortless impact of the beloved's presence. He transforms personal suffering into a gift, a "sorrowful loveliness" crafted for the object of his adoration. The poem’s significance lies in its exploration of how beauty can both inspire and overwhelm, transforming the world and leaving a lasting mark on those who encounter it. This elevation of the beloved, even above the artist's own creations, is what resonates most profoundly.