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What is the central idea of the poem No Second Troy?

What is the central idea of the poem No Second Troy?

2 Answers

  1. The central idea of W.B. Yeats’ poem “No Second Troy” is unrequited love and emotional turmoil, highlighting the speaker’s frustration, longing, and sense of loss. The poem also explores societal expectations and judgment, questioning whether the speaker’s actions were inevitable and if society’s judgment is fair.

    No Second Troy Summary

  2. The central idea of the poem “No Second Troy” by William Butler Yeats revolves around the complex feelings of love, frustration, and admiration the poet has for Maud Gonne, an Irish revolutionary and the object of his unrequited love. Yeats uses the metaphor of Helen of Troy to compare Gonne’s beauty and strong personality to that of the mythological figure whose beauty led to the Trojan War.

    The poem reflects on the consequences of Gonne’s beauty and charismatic influence in Ireland. Yeats is torn between his admiration for her passion and beauty, and his frustration over the political turmoil and violence associated with her revolutionary activities. He questions whether such beauty and charisma, which have the power to inspire both love and conflict, are worth the disturbance they cause.

    Overall, “No Second Troy” is a meditation on the intersection of personal love and political passion, exploring the impact of a charismatic individual on both personal and public spheres.

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