Poem Analysis - He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty

Introduction: Surrender to Natural Beauty

William Butler Yeats's "He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty" is a short, reverent poem that explores the power of natural beauty, specifically that found in a woman's gaze and the celestial bodies. The poem contrasts the laborious efforts of poets to create beauty with the effortless beauty inherent in nature and a woman. Initially, there's a tone of acknowledgment of the poets' efforts, but this quickly shifts to one of submission and adoration. The overall mood is one of deep respect and almost worshipful surrender to the inherent beauty of the natural world.

The Futility of Artifice Versus Natural Grace

One of the poem's central themes is the contrast between artificial creation and natural beauty. Yeats presents the "poets labouring all their days / To build a perfect beauty in rhyme" only to be "overthrown by a woman's gaze / And by the unlabouring brood of the skies." The poets' hard work is depicted as ultimately less powerful than the innate beauty of a woman and the stars. This theme suggests that true beauty cannot be manufactured or forced; it exists naturally and effortlessly. The word "unlabouring" is key here, emphasizing the ease and inherent quality of the celestial and feminine beauty that surpasses all human endeavor.

Beauty as a Divine Revelation

The poem also develops the theme of beauty as a divine revelation. The speaker's willingness to "bow, when dew / Is dropping sleep, until God burn time, / Before the unlabouring stars and you" suggests a form of worship. The image of bowing "until God burn time" implies an eternal devotion to this natural beauty, elevating the woman and the stars to a near-sacred status. This ties into the Romantics' fascination with nature as a source of spiritual insight and connection to something larger than oneself. Yeats takes it a step further, making the beauty of a woman and the stars a tangible manifestation of the divine.

Imagery of Celestial Calm and Feminine Allure

The poem is rich with imagery, particularly related to the night sky and a woman's eyes. The "cloud-pale eyelids, dream-dimmed eyes" of the woman evoke a sense of ethereal beauty and mystery. The image suggests a connection between her and the dream world, blurring the line between reality and imagination. Similarly, the "unlabouring stars" symbolize a constant, unwavering beauty that exists independently of human effort. The stars, along with the dew and sleep imagery, create an atmosphere of calm and reverence, emphasizing the speaker's surrender to the overwhelming power of natural beauty. The "cloud-pale eyelids" could symbolize a veil, suggesting a hidden, deeper beauty that the speaker is trying to understand.

Final Bow: A Testament to Enduring Beauty

In conclusion, "He Tells Of The Perfect Beauty" is a powerful statement on the supremacy of natural beauty over artistic creation. Through vivid imagery and a tone of deep reverence, Yeats explores the themes of the futility of artifice, beauty as a divine revelation, and the allure of the natural world. The poem serves as a testament to the enduring power of beauty found in a woman's gaze and the celestial expanse, suggesting that true beauty is effortless, eternal, and ultimately more profound than anything humanity can create. The speaker's willingness to bow in perpetual adoration before these sources of beauty reinforces the poem's central message: that some forms of beauty are worthy of unwavering devotion.