Poem Analysis - Oil And Blood

A Stark Contrast of Sacred and Profane

William Butler Yeats's "Oil and Blood" presents a stark contrast between two types of death and afterlife. The poem's tone is initially reverent, bordering on mystical, but quickly shifts to something darker and more disturbing. The short, two-stanza structure emphasizes this division. Ultimately, the poem explores the opposing forces of spiritual purity and corrupting carnality. The poem isn't necessarily about literal vampires, but rather uses them as a symbol of something insidious.

Echoes of Decay: Examining the Poem's Imagery

The poem leans heavily on imagery to convey its contrasting themes. The first stanza evokes images of wealth, sanctity, and even beauty. "Tombs of gold and lapis lazuli" suggest a lavish resting place, befitting figures of great importance, presumably religious figures, who have achieved a state of grace after death. The miraculous "oil, odour of violet" further reinforces this sense of holiness. The oil is typically a sign of incorruptibility and divine favor. In contrast, the second stanza paints a grim picture of decay and corruption. The "heavy loads of trampled clay" imply a burial devoid of respect, and the vampires are depicted as being physically consumed by their bloodlust even in death, with "bloody shrouds" and "wet" lips.

Themes of Corruption and Purity

The poem's central themes revolve around the dichotomy of corruption and purity. The initial description of the "holy men and women" who exude oil embodies a state of spiritual purity, suggesting a transcendence over the physical body. The violet odour can be interpreted as signifying royalty and dignity associated with religious sanctity. The second stanza shifts the focus to corruption, both in a physical and moral sense. The vampires, buried under "trampled clay," represent those who have indulged in earthly desires and are forever bound to their physical form. The poem contrasts the spiritual purity of the first group with the corrupting influence of earthly desires, symbolized by blood, in the second.

Symbolic Layers: Beyond the Literal

The oil and blood serve as powerful symbols within the poem. The oil, with its pleasant fragrance, represents spiritual grace, incorruptibility, and possibly even the divine essence of those who lived virtuous lives. It suggests a soul that has been purified and set free from earthly concerns. The blood, on the other hand, symbolizes primal instincts, lust, and a relentless connection to the physical world. The "wet" lips of the vampires suggest an insatiable hunger and a perpetual state of feeding, indicating a soul trapped in a cycle of desire and corruption. Is Yeats suggesting that some are simply incapable of attaining spiritual purity, forever destined to be driven by their baser instincts?

Final Reflection on Mortality's Contrasts

In conclusion, "Oil and Blood" is a powerful meditation on the contrasting ways in which death can be experienced and represented. Yeats uses vivid imagery and symbolism to explore the tension between spiritual purity and earthly corruption. The poem suggests that while some may transcend the physical and achieve a state of grace, others remain bound to their earthly desires, even in death. The brevity and starkness of the poem contribute to its impact, leaving the reader to ponder the nature of morality and the ultimate fate of the soul.