Poem and Analysis of Lapis Lazuli by William Butler Yeats

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General Introduction

“Lapis Lazuli” is a poem by William Butler Yeats, written in 1936 and dedicated to Harry Clifton. The poem was composed during a time of escalating global tensions leading up to World War II. In it, Yeats explores themes of art, destruction, resilience, and the nature of human experience. The title refers to the semi-precious stone, lapis lazuli, which is known for its deep blue color and is used as a metaphor throughout the poem.

 Lapis Lazuli by William Butler Yeats

(for Harry Clifton)

I have heard that hysterical women say

They are sick of the palette and fiddle-bow,

Of poets that are always gay,

For everybody knows or else should know

That if nothing drastic is done

Aeroplane and Zeppelin will come out,

Pitch like King Billy bomb-balls in

Until the town lie beaten flat.

All perform their tragic play,

There struts Hamlet, there is Lear,

That's Ophelia, that Cordelia;

Yet they, should the last scene be there,

The great stage curtain about to drop,

If worthy their prominent part in the play,

Do not break up their lines to weep.

They know that Hamlet and Lear are gay;

Gaiety transfiguring all that dread.

All men have aimed at, found and lost;

Black out; Heaven blazing into the head:

Tragedy wrought to its uttermost.

Though Hamlet rambles and Lear rages,

And all the drop scenes drop at once

Upon a hundred thousand stages,

It cannot grow by an inch or an ounce.

On their own feet they came, or on shipboard,

Camel-back, horse-back, ass-back, mule-back,

Old civilisations put to the sword.

Then they and their wisdom went to rack:

No handiwork of Callimachus

Who handled marble as if it were bronze,

Made draperies that seemed to rise

When sea-wind swept the corner, stands;

His long lamp chimney shaped like the stem

Of a slender palm, stood but a day;

All things fall and are built again

And those that build them again are gay.

Two Chinamen, behind them a third,

Are carved in Lapis Lazuli,

Over them flies a long-legged bird

A symbol of longevity;

The third, doubtless a serving-man,

Carries a musical instrument.

Every discolouration of the stone,

Every accidental crack or dent

Seems a water-course or an avalanche,

Or lofty slope where it still snows

Though doubtless plum or cherry-branch

Sweetens the little half-way house

Those Chinamen climb towards, and I

Delight to imagine them seated there;

There, on the mountain and the sky,

On all the tragic scene they stare.

One asks for mournful melodies;

Accomplished fingers begin to play.

Their eyes mid many wrinkles, their eyes,

Their ancient, glittering eyes, are gay.

 Poem Analysis: "Lapis Lazuli" by William Butler Yeats

 

 Title

The title "Lapis Lazuli" symbolizes both the material and spiritual beauty amidst turmoil and decay. Lapis lazuli, a gemstone known for its vivid blue hue, represents timelessness and the enduring nature of art and wisdom. It serves as a central metaphor for the poem’s exploration of how art can transcend suffering and chaos.

 Stanza-by-Stanza Analysis

Stanza 1:

Yeats opens with a critique of those who dismiss art and beauty during times of crisis, represented by “hysterical women” who are “sick of the palette and fiddle-bow.” The stanza suggests that even amid looming destruction, as symbolized by "aeroplane and Zeppelin," which threaten to flatten towns, there is a place for the arts. The reference to “King Billy bomb-balls” evokes historical conflicts and the ever-present threat of war.

Stanza 2:

In the second stanza, Yeats shifts to the stage, discussing how characters in tragedy, like Hamlet and Lear, maintain their dignity despite the impending end of their stories. The “great stage curtain about to drop” signifies the conclusion of life’s drama. Even at the brink of catastrophe, these characters, emblematic of humanity, embody “gaiety transfiguring all that dread.” This highlights how art can transform and elevate suffering.

Stanza 3:

The third stanza reflects on the rise and fall of civilizations. Yeats mentions various modes of transportation, “on their own feet… camel-back, horse-back,” to symbolize how different cultures have met their demise. Despite the destruction, remnants of their greatness, such as the art of Callimachus, persist. This stanza reinforces the idea that while empires fall, the spirit of creativity and joy endures.

Stanza 4:

Yeats describes a carving on lapis lazuli depicting “Two Chinamen, behind them a third,” suggesting a scene of peace and continuity. The long-legged bird, a “symbol of longevity,” contrasts with the ephemeral nature of life, underscoring the theme of enduring beauty. The carvings' every detail, despite their imperfections, symbolize nature's resilience and the human spirit.

Stanza 5:

In the final stanza, Yeats imagines the Chinamen in the carving journeying through a landscape where “every discolouration…seems a water-course or an avalanche.” This stanza combines imagery of natural beauty and human perseverance. The Chinamen, with “ancient, glittering eyes,” symbolize wisdom and a serene acceptance of life’s cycles. Their request for “mournful melodies” and the resulting gaiety in their eyes epitomizes the poem’s central theme: finding joy and beauty even in the face of sorrow and destruction.

 Themes

1. Resilience of Art: The poem asserts that art endures and maintains its beauty even amidst destruction. This is evident in the references to historical and artistic figures and the carvings on lapis lazuli.

   

2. Human Tragedy and Joy: Yeats explores the coexistence of joy and sorrow, emphasizing how tragedy can be transfigured into something beautiful and uplifting, much like the characters in tragic plays.

3. Impermanence vs. Permanence: The poem juxtaposes the transient nature of civilizations and the lasting impact of their artistic and cultural achievements.

4. Nature and Endurance: The natural world’s ability to continue and thrive, despite the scars of time and conflict, is a recurrent motif, particularly in the description of the lapis lazuli carving.

5. Wisdom and Acceptance: The depiction of the Chinamen with “ancient, glittering eyes” conveys a message of accepting life’s vicissitudes with wisdom and finding peace amidst chaos.

 Structure and Form

"Lapis Lazuli" is composed of five stanzas, each with a varied line length and irregular rhyme scheme. This structure mirrors the poem’s exploration of order and chaos. The free-flowing form allows Yeats to move fluidly between different images and ideas, reinforcing the themes of resilience and the enduring nature of art.

 Literary Devices

1. Metaphor: The lapis lazuli carving serves as a central metaphor for enduring beauty and wisdom amidst turmoil.

   

2. Imagery: Yeats employs vivid imagery to depict scenes of destruction, artistic creations, and the serene landscape within the lapis lazuli carving.

3. Allusion: The poem alludes to Shakespearean tragedies and historical conflicts, enriching its exploration of human experience and resilience.

4. Symbolism: The long-legged bird symbolizes longevity, and the various means of transportation symbolize the different civilizations and their fates.

5. Personification: Yeats personifies the tragic characters of Hamlet and Lear, attributing them with an enduring gaiety even in the face of doom.

6. Juxtaposition: The poem juxtaposes images of destruction and resilience, impermanence and permanence, highlighting the coexistence of opposing forces in life.

 Language and Diction

Yeats uses formal and evocative language, blending archaic and contemporary references to convey the timeless nature of his themes. The diction ranges from the dramatic ("hysterical women," "bomb-balls") to the serene and reflective ("gaiety," "ancient, glittering eyes"), mirroring the poem’s exploration of contrasting experiences.

 Mood and Tone

The mood of "Lapis Lazuli" fluctuates between tension and tranquility, reflecting the poem’s meditation on chaos and beauty. The tone is contemplative and philosophical, as Yeats considers the enduring power of art and wisdom in the face of life’s inevitable tragedies.

 Context

Written in 1936, "Lapis Lazuli" was composed during a period of growing international tension. Yeats, nearing the end of his life, reflects on the cyclical nature of history and the role of art in transcending the tumult of human experience. The dedication to Harry Clifton, a fellow poet, underscores the poem’s emphasis on the resilience of artistic and cultural expression.

 Conclusion

"Lapis Lazuli" by William Butler Yeats is a profound meditation on the enduring power of art and the resilience of the human spirit. Through its rich imagery, allusions, and symbols, the poem explores how beauty and wisdom persist even amidst destruction and chaos. Yeats’s contemplation of history, civilization, and tragedy resonates with a timeless message of hope and acceptance.