Poem Analysis - Who Goes With Fergus

An Invitation to Transcendence

William Butler Yeats's "Who Goes With Fergus?" is a lyrical invitation, a beckoning away from the earthly anxieties of love and mortality towards a realm of mythical power and freedom. The poem opens with a hopeful question, a call to adventure, but gradually shifts into a more declarative and comforting tone as it asserts Fergus's dominion. It's a poem that offers solace through escapism, promising liberation from earthly concerns through identification with a legendary figure. The poem is short but its ideas are grand.

Yeats and the Irish Revival

Yeats was deeply involved in the Irish Literary Revival, a movement that sought to reclaim and celebrate Irish identity through folklore, mythology, and language. His interest in figures like Fergus, a legendary king from Irish mythology, reflects this cultural and political context. Yeats used these figures not just as historical references, but as symbols of a romanticized past, a source of national pride and spiritual inspiration. This background helps to understand why Yeats turned to myth for his poetic imagery, looking to replace a modern world that seemed to him vulgar and crass.

The Allure of Escape

One of the central themes of the poem is the desire to escape the pain and complexity of human experience, especially in matters of love and loss. The poem directly addresses a "young man" and a "maid," urging them to "brood on hopes and fear no more" and to cease dwelling on "love's bitter mystery." This invitation is linked to Fergus, who is presented as a figure capable of transcending these earthly concerns. The poem implies that by aligning oneself with Fergus, one can escape the emotional turmoil of mortal life.

Fergus: King and Symbol

Fergus functions as a powerful symbol of strength, freedom, and control over the forces of nature and destiny. He "rules the brazen cars," "the shadows of the wood," "the white breast of the dim sea," and even "all dishevelled wandering stars." This comprehensive dominion suggests that Fergus represents a force that can overcome the chaotic and unpredictable aspects of life. The repetition of "rules" emphasizes his absolute authority. The images of "brazen cars" and "wandering stars," each associated with Fergus, evoke a sense of both power and the cosmic.

Imagery of Mystery and Release

The poem uses vivid imagery to create a sense of mystery and the possibility of liberation. Phrases like "deep wood's woven shade" and "white breast of the dim sea" evoke a sense of the unknown, while also suggesting a connection to the natural world. These images contrast with the more confined spaces of human emotion, such as the "bitter mystery" of love. The act of "piercing the deep wood's woven shade" suggests a journey of discovery and a breaking free from limitations. Is the landscape literal or is it the landscape of the mind?

A Mythical Invitation

"Who Goes With Fergus?" is a poem that invites the reader to embrace a world of mythical power and escape from the anxieties of human existence. It suggests that by aligning oneself with figures like Fergus, one can find solace and freedom from the burdens of love and mortality. The poem's use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism creates a sense of wonder and longing, leaving the reader to contemplate the allure of the unknown and the possibility of transcendence. It's a testament to the enduring power of myth and its ability to offer comfort and inspiration in the face of life's challenges.