The Second Coming

William Butler YeatsFiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1919

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1. How does “The Second Coming” reflect the time in which it was written (circa 1919)? Detail historical events that may have influenced Yeats’s writing, and cite any evidence of these events in the poem. Next, consider today’s society. What do you believe Yeats would think about 21st-century society? Would the speaker’s vision of “The Second Coming” still apply today? What changes might the speaker make to his view of humanity’s future? Cite evidence from the poem to support your answer.

2. Take a closer look at the symbol of the mythological sphinx. What does the sphinx symbolize in the poem? Next, detail what Christian symbolism Yeats employs in the poem. What is its significance? Why does Yeats combine pagan and Christian symbolism in the “The Second Coming”? Support your position with evidence from the text. You might also want to research the historical and cultural significance of the Great Sphinx of Giza for insights.