By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: February 11, 2025
The poem “Easter 1916” reflects on the Easter Rising in Ireland, when Irish nationalists rebelled against British rule. The speaker begins by describing the people involved in the rebellion, including some who were once ordinary or even unremarkable, but who became heroes in the eyes of the Irish people.
At first, the speaker seems unsure about the rebellion and the people who took part in it. He mentions how they used to be part of everyday life, and the speaker didn’t see them as particularly extraordinary. But after the rebellion, everything changes. The speaker acknowledges their courage and sacrifice, even though it resulted in violence and death.
By the end of the poem, the speaker realizes that the events of Easter 1916 have changed Ireland forever. The rebellion, though it failed in the short term, inspired a sense of national pride and identity. The phrase “A terrible beauty is born” sums up the complex feelings of admiration and sorrow the speaker feels: while the sacrifice was painful, it led to something greater— a new sense of Irish nationalism.
Summary of Easter 1916 by W. B. Yeats
Fact
Details
Poem Title
Easter 1916
Poet
W. B. Yeats
First Published
1921
Form
Poem (lyrical, modernist)
Structure
Four stanzas, with varied length and rhythm
Theme
Sacrifice, nationalism, heroism, transformation, and loss
Setting
Ireland, specifically reflecting on the Easter Rising of 1916
Tone
Reflective, somber, admiring, conflicted
Mood
Mixed feelings of sorrow and admiration
Symbols
“A terrible beauty” (complexity of sacrifice and change), the rebellion
Main Idea
The poem reflects on the Easter Rising, honoring the rebels who sacrificed their lives, recognizing the lasting impact of their actions on Ireland’s future.