Poem Analysis - His Bargain

Introduction: A Pact with Beauty

William Butler Yeats's "His Bargain" is a short but potent exploration of a man's obsession and commitment to a woman's beauty. The poem presents a speaker consumed by a "bargain" made with a woman's hair, a pact seemingly transcending time and mortal concerns. The tone is initially questioning and almost dismissive of larger philosophical concepts, before shifting to a tone of fervent dedication and possessiveness regarding his chosen love. The poem's mood oscillates between intellectual detachment and deep personal investment.

Background Influences: Yeats and the Enduring Power of Beauty

Yeats, an Irish poet deeply involved in Irish nationalism and deeply interested in mythology and symbolism, often explored themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time in his work. "His Bargain" can be viewed as a microcosm of these larger concerns. Although the poem does not explicitly reference Irish history or folklore, Yeats's consistent preoccupation with the idealized feminine and the desire to immortalize beauty through art resonates through the text. The poem speaks to a broader cultural fascination with beauty as a force that can transcend mortal limitations.

The Transience of All Things: Challenging Mortality

One key theme in "His Bargain" is the **transience of time and the human attempt to defy it**. The opening lines, "Who talks of Plato's spindle; / What set it whirling round? / Eternity may dwindle, / Time is unwound," immediately suggest a rejection of traditional philosophical concerns with eternity and the cyclical nature of time. The speaker seems to dismiss these grand concepts as insignificant compared to his personal experience. By focusing on the particular – the woman's hair – he attempts to create a personal eternity, a bargain that will last even "when the last thread has run," thus trying to escape or overcome mortality.

Love and Possession: A Binding Agreement

Another prevalent theme is the complex relationship between **love, possession, and commitment**. The "bargain" the speaker describes implies a profound and perhaps even obsessive commitment to the woman represented by her hair. The phrase "I made, and may not break it" underscores the binding nature of this agreement. This isn't simply a casual admiration; it's a deliberate pact, suggesting a desire to possess and control, or at least profoundly influence, the object of his affection. The commitment appears to be unilateral, with the speaker binding himself, raising questions of balance and equity in the relationship.

The Power of Beauty: Immortalized in Hair

The poem centers around the recurring symbol of **hair as a representation of beauty and a conduit for the speaker's obsession**. Hair, with its "windings," becomes a tangible, almost magical object of focus. It represents the essence of the woman and the speaker's connection to her. The "bargain" made with the hair implies a commitment not just to the woman but to the very idea of beauty that she embodies. The hair, in this context, isn't just physical; it's symbolic of something larger, something that the speaker believes has the power to transcend time and mortality. It could also suggest a fragment of the woman comes to represent the woman as a whole.

Conclusion: A Lasting Commitment

"His Bargain" ultimately explores the human desire to find meaning and permanence in a world of constant change. The poem presents a speaker who, disillusioned with grand philosophical concepts, seeks solace and purpose in the beauty of a woman, symbolized by her hair. The "bargain" represents a deep and unwavering commitment, a personal pact designed to defy the transience of time and create a lasting connection. The poem leaves the reader pondering the nature of love, the power of beauty, and the lengths to which individuals will go to create their own sense of eternity.