Poem Analysis - In The Seven Woods

Introduction: Finding Solace in Nature

Yeats' "In The Seven Woods" is a reflective poem that seeks solace from political turmoil and personal disillusionment in the tranquility of nature. The poem opens with a peaceful scene, filled with the sounds of pigeons and bees, suggesting a retreat from the external world. The tone is initially one of quiet contentment, a fragile peace achieved through forgetting. However, undercurrents of anxiety and anticipation linger, hinted at by the presence of the "Great Archer," creating a complex emotional landscape.

Historical Resentment and Personal Escape

The poem is rooted in the context of early 20th-century Ireland, a time of political upheaval and cultural change. Yeats, a fervent Irish nationalist, expresses his disdain for the contemporary state of affairs. The lines "Tara uprooted, and new commonness / Upon the throne" allude to the decline of traditional Irish values and the rise of a more vulgar, less refined society. "Tara" was the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, representing a glorious past now lost. The poem thus becomes an act of personal escape from the perceived degradation of his homeland, finding refuge in the natural world.

Nature as a Sanctuary and a Reminder of Time

One of the central themes is the power of nature to provide solace and healing. The "Seven Woods" become a sanctuary, a place where the speaker can "put away / The unavailing outcries and the old bitterness." The sounds of the pigeons and bees, described as "faint thunder" and "hum," are not overwhelming but rather comforting, creating a sense of peace. However, this peace is not absolute. The image of "Quiet / Wanders laughing and eating her wild heart" suggests a bittersweet contentment, acknowledging the presence of underlying sorrow and a fleeting nature of time. Even in tranquility, the world continues to change, and the beauty is tinged with sadness.

The Great Archer: Symbol of Inevitable Change

The most potent symbol in the poem is the "Great Archer." This figure, "who but awaits His hour to shoot," represents an impending, possibly destructive, force. The "cloudy quiver over Pairc-na-lee" suggests a looming threat, a sense of inevitable change or perhaps judgment. This Archer could symbolize historical change, fate, or even death. His presence disrupts the otherwise peaceful setting, reminding the reader that even in the most idyllic circumstances, life remains uncertain and potentially dangerous. The ambiguity of the Archer's target leaves us wondering what he represents to the speaker: a threat to his newfound peace, or an inevitable event in life.

A Momentary Peace in the Face of Uncertainty

In conclusion, "In The Seven Woods" is a poem about finding temporary respite from a world of political disappointment and personal sorrow. While nature provides a space for healing and forgetting, the presence of the "Great Archer" reminds us that peace is fragile and that change is inevitable. The poem captures a fleeting moment of contentment, tinged with a sense of foreboding, highlighting the complex relationship between inner peace and the uncertainties of the external world. Yeats suggests that even in the midst of turmoil, beauty and quiet can offer a momentary reprieve, but the shadow of the future always lingers.