English Notes Latest Questions

What is the Central Idea of the poem Sailing to Byzantium?

What is the Central Idea of the poem Sailing to Byzantium?

1 Answer

  1. This answer was edited.

    The difficulties of getting older may be the focus of this poetry in particular. The speaker claims that the inevitable decline of the aging body gives seniors two choices: either they learn to overcome the limitations of old age through the enhancement of their souls—and, ultimately, pass away, becoming an entity that doesn’t even seem connected to the human body—or they dissipate into shells of their former selves. As a result, the poem implies that the inner being is distinct from the bodily. Elderhood is portrayed as a struggle as well as a chance for spiritual enlightenment—a yearning to leave the worldly plane and all of its limitations behind. The poem opens the door for many different interpretations of how the fervent elderly man represents the eternal law. Additionally, the poem in question might have drawn literary inspiration from previous works, as the poem truly reflects Blake’s theory that immortality is in awe of human achievements. Sailing To Byzantium Summary

You must login to add an answer.