Poem Analysis - Solomon And The Witch

Introduction: A Dialogue on Love, Illusion, and Reality

William Butler Yeats's "Solomon and the Witch" is a complex and intriguing poem presented as a series of exchanges. The poem grapples with the nature of love, the power of illusion, and the enduring, perhaps flawed, reality of the world. It begins with an air of mystery and exoticism, shifts into philosophical contemplation, and ends with a sense of unresolved tension. The tone is both sensual and intellectual, moving from intimate confession to grand pronouncements about the fate of the world. There's an underlying feeling of unease that persists throughout the dialogue.

The Enduring Power of Love and Illusion

One of the central themes of the poem is the multifaceted nature of love. The "Arab lady's" initial statement about her experience with Solomon introduces love as something that can transcend language and perhaps even the self, as indicated by her speaking in "a strange tongue." This love, however, is immediately complicated by the cockerel's pronouncements. Love is not simply a blissful union, but also possesses "a spider's eye" to seek out pain and tests lovers with "cruelties of Choice and Chance." The poem suggests that love is inextricably linked with illusion. Lovers bring "an imagined image" to the relationship, only to find a "real image there," implying a potential clash between idealized expectations and the often-disappointing reality of human connection. This theme speaks to the idea that love is both a powerful force for connection and a breeding ground for potential disillusionment. The poem dances between the romantic ideal and the stark reality of love's complexities.

Apocalyptic Undertones and the Cockerel's Crow

The figure of the cockerel and its crow serves as a potent symbol of apocalyptic expectation and thwarted hope. The cockerel, who crowed before the Fall and again during Solomon and the Witch's tryst, represents a desire for the world's end, a cleansing or a return to a prelapsarian state. The fact that it "thought to have crowed it in again" suggests a yearning for a definitive and transformative event. However, the subsequent lines, "Yet the world stays," indicate that this desire is unfulfilled. This unfulfilled prophecy speaks to the human tendency to seek radical change or resolution, often only to find that the world, in its flawed and persistent state, continues on. The cockerel's crow symbolizes the eternal hope for, and perhaps impossibility of, total transformation. It highlights the tension between the desire for an end to suffering and the enduring nature of reality.

The Wild Moon and the Sacred Grove: Imagery of Desire and Constraint

The poem is rich with evocative imagery. The "wild moon," the "grassy mattress," and the "forbidden sacred grove" all contribute to a setting that is both sensual and suggestive of transgression. The moon, often associated with feminine energy, madness, and transformation, casts a wild light on the lovers' encounter, highlighting the intensity of their passion and the potential for instability. The "forbidden sacred grove" implies that their love exists in a space that is both desirable and off-limits, suggesting societal or moral constraints on their desire. The image of the "crushed grass where we have lain!" is a powerful one, both intimate and suggestive of a violation or disruption of the natural order. These images create a space where intense desire meets societal limitations. This interplay amplifies the tension and uncertainty within the poem's exploration of love and reality.

The Ambiguity of the Final Plea

The poem concludes with the Witch's urgent plea: "O! Solomon! let us try again." This final line is both captivating and ambiguous. Does she want to rekindle the initial passion they shared, or are they "trying again" to bring about the end of the world that the cockerel predicted? It is possible that she wants to continue to explore and push the boundaries of their relationship, even in the face of potential disappointment or disillusionment. Perhaps the Witch's plea represents a defiant act of faith in the face of doubt and uncertainty. The poem ends on a note of open-ended questioning, inviting the reader to consider the enduring power of desire and the persistent possibility of renewal.

Conclusion: An Enduring Cycle of Hope and Disillusionment

"Solomon and the Witch" is a powerful exploration of love, illusion, and the enduring, often disappointing, reality of the world. The poem uses rich imagery, symbolic figures, and a dynamic dialogue to grapple with these complex themes. Ultimately, the poem suggests that love is inextricably linked with illusion and that the human desire for radical change is often thwarted by the persistent nature of reality. The ambiguous ending leaves the reader contemplating the enduring cycle of hope and disillusionment, suggesting that the quest for love and meaning is a continuous, perhaps ultimately unresolvable, endeavor. The poem's significance lies in its unflinching portrayal of the complexities and contradictions inherent in the human experience of love and existence.