The Prophetic Vision of The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats (1920)

William Butler Yeats’s The Second Coming is a haunting, apocalyptic poem that reflects the turmoil and uncertainty of the post-World War I era. Written in the aftermath of the war and during a time of political upheaval, the poem captures a sense of foreboding and spiritual crisis. Yeats employs powerful imagery, such as the "rough beast" slouching towards Bethlehem, to symbolize the coming of a new era marked by chaos and destruction.

The central metaphor of the "Second Coming" refers to the Christian concept of the return of Christ, but Yeats transforms this idea, suggesting that the new arrival will bring not salvation but a period of darkness and disillusionment. The "Spiritus Mundi," or "world spirit," is depicted as chaotic and fragmented, symbolizing the breakdown of order and the loss of traditional values. Yeats's vision reflects his fear that the world is descending into an era of violence and societal collapse, where old structures of meaning and faith no longer hold sway.

In conclusion, The Second Coming is a prophetic and unsettling poem that captures the anxiety of a world in crisis. Yeats’s visionary style creates a chilling sense of impending doom, resonating with readers who understand the historical context of disillusionment following World War I.