Responsibilities, and other poems (eBook)

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), an Irish poet, dramatist, and prose writer, was one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, he was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and co-founded the Abbey Theatre. Yeats served as an Irish senator for two terms and was a keen proponent of cultural nationalism and Irish heritage. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923, the first Irishman so honored, in recognition of his always inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation. Yeats' poetic voice evolved over the years from the metaphysical and romantic to a more modernist style, deeply influenced by his fascination with mysticism and the occult. 'Responsibilities, and other poems' (1914) is one of his earlier volumes, where his poetry began to engage more acutely with contemporary events and the complexities of modern life, balancing a sense of personal responsibility with broader societal concerns. A master of symbolism and lyrical beauty, Yeats' work is imbued with an enduring appeal that captures the personal and collective struggles of his time and offers a rich, textured exploration of human experience.