The title of William
Butler Yeats's poem, ‘The Second Coming,’ is significant in several ways.
Firstly, the title
refers to the Christian belief in the Second Coming of Christ, which is the
belief that Jesus will return to Earth to establish his Kingdom. This idea is
referenced in the opening line of the poem, which describes ‘a widening gyre’
that suggests the end of one era and the beginning of another. Thus, the title
is significant in that it sets up an expectation of a momentous event that will
change the course of history.
Secondly, the title can
be read in a more secular way as well. The phrase ‘the second coming’ can also
refer to the idea of a rebirth or renewal of the world. Yeats himself saw the
20th century as a time of great change and upheaval, and the poem can be seen
as a meditation on the emergence of a new world order.
Thirdly, the title can
be seen as a reference to Yeats's own artistic vision. The poem can be read as
a reflection on the role of the poet in a world that is in crisis. Yeats
believed that the artist had a responsibility to create new forms of beauty and
meaning in a world that was rapidly changing, and the title can be seen as a
reference to this idea of artistic rebirth.
The title ‘The Second
Coming’ is significant in that it sets up an expectation of a momentous event
that will change the course of history, while also suggesting themes of
rebirth, renewal, and artistic vision.