Poem Analysis - The Three Beggars

An Ironic Irish Fable

William Butler Yeats's "The Three Beggars" is a cynical and humorous fable exploring the nature of desire, ambition, and the futility of dreams. The poem unfolds with a lighthearted tone, driven by the whimsical challenge posed by King Guaire, but it quickly descends into a darker portrayal of human greed and self-destruction. The initial lightheartedness is replaced by a sense of disillusionment and the poem concludes with a sardonic observation on the indifference of nature.

The King's Question: Desire and Reward

One of the central themes revolves around the question of who truly deserves reward: those who desire the most or those who desire the least. King Guaire sets up a seemingly simple contest, but the underlying philosophical question is complex. The poem initially suggests that intense desire, "what could make their muscles taut," is the key to success. However, the subsequent actions of the beggars reveal that their desires, fueled by idleness and pride, lead only to violence and stagnation. The poem seems to argue that uncontrolled desire, devoid of genuine purpose, is self-defeating.

The Dreams of Beggary: Ironic Ambition

The poem masterfully employs irony to expose the distorted ambitions of the beggars. Each beggar initially articulates a different, seemingly practical desire – finding a partner, learning a trade, betting on a horse. However, these dreams are presented as "exorbitant," highlighting the absurdity of such grand aspirations emerging from a state of beggary. The contrast between their elevated dreams and their actual circumstances underscores the theme of the corrupting influence of idleness and the disconnect between ambition and reality.

Blood, Lice, and Indifference: Symbols of Degradation

The poem's imagery is particularly powerful in depicting the beggars' descent into a state of animalistic degradation. The recurring images of "lice and blood" symbolize their loss of dignity and their reduction to a primal struggle for survival. The image of the beggars "whirling in a heap" vividly portrays their chaotic and self-destructive competition. In contrast, the crane, though also hungry, maintains a certain stoic detachment, highlighting the indifference of nature to the human drama unfolding below. The final line "but I do not seem to care" is the ultimate statement that the beggar's struggle means nothing in the greater context.

Nature's Uncaring Gaze: A Final Sardonic Observation

The poem’s conclusion leaves the reader with a bleak but insightful message. The crane's final lines, observing the "rubbish run about" and the possibility of catching a trout, encapsulate the poem's overall cynicism. While the beggars destroy themselves in their pursuit of a thousand pounds, nature continues its indifferent cycle of survival. "The Three Beggars" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition, the corrupting influence of idleness, and the ultimate insignificance of human desires in the face of the natural world.