Who is Yeats talking about in Easter 1916?

The people Yeats mentions in the text are actual historical figures. He remembers that Constance Markievicz, one of the leaders of the Easter Uprising. She is known to have designed the Citizen Army uniform. He states that she was sweeter before arguing for Irish independence.

What is the historical context of the poem Easter 1916?

Easter, 1916 is a poem by W. B. Yeats describing the poet’s torn emotions regarding the events of the Easter Rising staged in Ireland against British rule on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916. The uprising was unsuccessful, and most of the Irish republican leaders involved were executed for treason.

Why did W.B. Yeats write Easter 1916?

Yeats wrote this patriotic poem to serve as a tribute to the Irish men and women who stood up against the British government on Easter Monday of 1916. Known as the Easter Rebellion, Irish nationalists fought for independence on the streets of Dublin for a week until their efforts proved unsuccessful.

How does Yeats feel about Easter 1916?

Yeats’s poem is a response to the Easter Uprising in Ireland, a rebellion that eventually led to the Irish War for Independence and the Irish Civil War. Think about how the poem commemorates, fails to celebrate, and/or eulogizes the event.

What is meant by A terrible beauty is born?

The phrase “terrible beauty” seems to be Yeats’s way of saying that history’s most celebrated moments are usually moments of death. A little dark, but kind of true. Lines 15-16: So far, Yeats has been going on about how he doesn’t really care about his run-ins with the common folk of Dublin.

What is meant by a terrible beauty is born?

What are the main themes of Easter 1916?

“Easter, 1916” Themes

  • Heroism and Bravery. In “Easter, 1916,” the speaker is moved to admire the heroism and bravery displayed by the Irish rebels in trying to throw off British rule—even though he didn’t wholly admire or agree with the rebels beforehand.
  • Personal Fulfillment vs. Public Sacrifice.
  • Death and Mourning.

What is the meaning of A terrible beauty is born?

A terrible beauty is born” refers to the beauty of the Irish rebellion movement being started after terrible death and destruction at the hands of the British. The revolutionary movement began in earnest after the Easter 1916 uprising.