Poem Analysis - The Unappeasable Host

A Mother's Grief and the Allure of the Otherworld

William Butler Yeats' "The Unappeasable Host" is a poignant exploration of a mother's fear and despair in the face of a powerful, seductive, yet ultimately destructive force. The poem creates a tense atmosphere, shifting between the otherworldly beauty of the Danaan and the agonizing vulnerability of maternal love. There's an underlying sense of impending doom, where the safety of the earthly realm is threatened by the allure of a supernatural world. The poem grapples with the tension between the human desire for belonging and the instinct to protect those we love from harm. Ultimately, the poem questions the boundaries between life and death, safety and danger, and earthly versus otherworldly beauty.

Irish Folklore and Yeats' Worldview

Yeats was deeply immersed in Irish folklore and mythology, and this poem is rich with allusions to the Danaan, also known as the Tuatha Dé Danann, the ancient gods and goddesses of Ireland. This is particularly important because in Irish folklore, the Tuatha Dé Danann represent a magical, beautiful, and potentially dangerous alternative to the mortal world. He saw the decline of traditional Irish culture and sought to revive it through his writing. Yeats was also interested in the occult and spiritualism, influences that resonate in the poem's focus on supernatural forces and the thin veil between worlds. By referencing these figures, he taps into a deep well of cultural memory and creates a sense of foreboding tied to the historical and mythical past of Ireland.

Themes of Maternal Love and Impending Loss

One of the central themes of "The Unappeasable Host" is the overwhelming power of maternal love. The speaker's actions – kissing and pressing her "wailing child" to her breast – are primal expressions of protection and comfort. This love is juxtaposed against the looming threat of the "narrow graves calling" which emphasizes the theme of mortality. The "Desolate winds" further enhance the sense of impending loss, acting as harbingers of death and despair. They underscore the vulnerability of the mother and child in the face of an indifferent, even malevolent, universe. The theme of temptation is also present in the poem, as the "unappeasable host" offers an alternative to mortal existence, a siren call that threatens to lure the child away from the mother's protection.

Recurring Symbols: Winds and the Danaan Children

The poem is laden with powerful symbols. The "desolate winds" are a recurring motif, representing the forces of fate, death, and the supernatural. They are not merely atmospheric; they actively "beat the doors of Heaven, and beat / The doors of Hell," suggesting their immense power and their ability to traverse the boundaries between worlds. The winds also symbolize the emotional turmoil within the speaker, her fear and despair being stirred up by the threat of loss. The "Danaan children" represent the alluring, yet potentially dangerous, otherworld. The fact that they are in "cradles of wrought gold" emphasizes their otherworldly beauty and luxury, tempting the mortal child away from the hardships of human existence. A possible interpretation is that they represent not just the allure of the supernatural, but also the temptation to escape earthly suffering, even if it means embracing death.

The Beauty of the Host: A Final Paradox

In conclusion, "The Unappeasable Host" is a haunting exploration of maternal fear and the allure of the supernatural. The poem's strength lies in its evocative imagery and powerful symbolism, which create a sense of impending doom and highlight the speaker's desperate struggle to protect her child. The closing line, "O heart the winds have shaken, the unappeasable host / Is comelier than candles at Mother Mary's feet," presents a chilling paradox. It suggests that the beauty and power of the supernatural, even in its destructive form, can be more compelling than the comfort and solace of traditional religion, implying a deep crisis of faith and a tragic acceptance of the inevitable. The poem leaves the reader pondering the nature of beauty, the power of temptation, and the enduring strength of maternal love in the face of overwhelming adversity.