Poem Analysis - The Ladys Second Song

Introduction: A Lament on Love's Dichotomy

William Butler Yeats's "The Lady's Second Song" is a melancholic exploration of the fragmented nature of love, experienced by a woman grappling with the divide between body and soul. The poem resonates with a tone of resignation, almost world-weariness, punctuated by the recurring plea, "The Lord have mercy upon us." This refrain introduces an undercurrent of sin or transgression, hinting at the speaker's struggle with societal or religious expectations surrounding love and desire. The mood oscillates between a pragmatic acceptance of physical needs and a yearning for a more complete, unified experience.

The Divisive Nature of Love

One of the central themes of the poem is the divided nature of love itself. The speaker envisions a lover who will compartmentalize his affections, loving her soul "as though body were not at all" and loving her body "untroubled by the soul." This separation suggests a cynical view of human relationships, where complete unity is unattainable. Yeats highlights the impossible demand to love both the physical and spiritual aspects independently, creating a sense of frustrated yearning.

Body and Soul: A Battleground of Desire

The poem presents a stark contrast between the body and soul, treating them almost as opposing forces. The speaker seeks a love that caters to each separately, seemingly acknowledging the impossibility of blending them seamlessly. The body is relegated to a "love in common / With every noble beast," suggesting a base, primal connection. Meanwhile, the soul yearns for a love "proper to my breast," indicating a desire for intellectual and spiritual intimacy. This division implies that love, in its totality, is perpetually out of reach, leaving a sense of incompleteness and spiritual unrest.

Fragrance and Beast: Symbolism of Love

Several images stand out as symbolic representations of the poem's central themes. The "cupboards of dried fragrance" used to "strew the sheet" represent the artificial and perhaps ultimately unsatisfying attempts to enhance physical intimacy. They suggest an effort to mask the underlying emptiness or separation between bodies and souls. In contrast, the "noble beast" symbolizes the raw, instinctual nature of physical desire, detached from any higher spiritual consideration. The poem juxtaposes these contrasting symbols, reinforcing the speaker's internal conflict and the perceived chasm between physical and spiritual love. Is the "noble beast" a compliment about the inherent beauty of the body, or does it further debase the physical experience of love?

A Plea for Mercy: Resignation and Acceptance

The recurring refrain, "The Lord have mercy upon us," acts as a haunting reminder of the speaker's perceived transgression and ultimate resignation. It suggests that the separation between body and soul, and the inevitable fragmentation of love, is a burden that necessitates divine forgiveness. The phrase creates a somber atmosphere, implying that the pursuit of complete love is a futile endeavor, and that all humans are ultimately flawed and in need of redemption. Ultimately, "The Lady's Second Song" captures the complex and often contradictory nature of love, highlighting the challenges of reconciling physical desire with spiritual longing, leaving the reader with a sense of poignant acceptance.