The Plight of the Elderly in Yeats’ Poetry

Abstract

This paper examines the plight of the elderly in W.B. Yeats’ poetry. Through a close reading of five poems "Three Old Hermits," "When You Are Old," "The Old Men Admiring Themselves in the Water," "Sailing to Byzantium," and "The Lamentation of the Old Pensioner". This study explores how Yeats portrays aging and its effects on individuals and society. In these poems, Yeats presents a range of perspectives on aging: from the longing for an idealized past to a resigned acceptance of mortality; from a desire for spiritual transcendence to a sense of being trapped in physical decline; from admiration for those who have lived long lives to pity for those who have been forgotten by society. By examining these themes in detail, this paper reveals how Yeats captures both the beauty and tragedy of growing old. Ultimately, this study shows that Yeats’ poetry offers an insightful exploration into the complexities of aging and its impact on the lives of the elderly.