William Butler Yeats employs several literary devices in ‘The Second Coming’ to create a powerful and haunting work of poetry. Here are a few examples:

Symbolism: Yeats uses powerful symbols throughout the poem to convey his ideas. For example, the falcon symbolizes the old order of Western civilization, while the ‘rough beast’ represents the new, destructive force that is emerging.

Imagery: Yeats uses vivid imagery to create a sense of foreboding and unease. For example, the image of the ‘gyres’ spinning out of control suggests a chaotic and disordered universe.

Metaphor: The poem is full of metaphors, such as the comparison of the falcon to an ‘aged eagle’ and the description of the ‘rough beast’ as ‘slouching towards Bethlehem.’ These metaphors create a powerful and vivid picture of the world that Yeats sees around him.

Allusion: Yeats alludes to several historical and mythological events and figures in the poem, such as the Book of Revelation and the Sphinx. These allusions add depth and richness to the poem and suggest that Yeats sees his vision of the world as part of a larger, cosmic struggle.

Rhetorical question: The final line of the poem is a rhetorical question that leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty and foreboding.

Yeats uses a wide range of literary devices in ‘The Second Coming’ to create a powerful and memorable work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.