Myth and Symbol in Yeats and Blake

Traditional to Individual

Abstract

Man is inseparable from his belief and his efforts to communicate his belief. In fact, our communication-oral, written, literary, and gestural-depends upon our ability to signify, suggest, allude, denote, and create images, concepts, ideas, ideologies, religion, folk beliefs, etc. Beneath all these lie human beliefs about past, present, and the explanation of phenomena. Although myth has become synonymous with fiction, and lies, it can’t be ignored in the present age of science and technology. Phenomena would continue to be explained either through so-called science or through narratives to assert and justify their own beliefs and conviction. Myth and symbols have evolved in their nature as part and parcels of narrative cultures across East to West. Certain artists have recreated narratives of myths out of the seemingly chaotic conditions of cultures. Two poets, W.B. Yeats, and William Blake redefined myths and symbols with their own beliefs, ideologies, and spiritual, and religious ideas. An exploration of their texts would show how traditional beliefs are transformed into highly artistic and esoteric manifestations of art and ideas which still remain valid even in the postmodern era of disbelief, and doubt in any mythical, symbolic narrative.