Leda and the Swan

Critical Commentary on Leda and the Swan by W.B. Yeats

In my opinion, Yeats is really an interesting writer for he managed to implore the causes and effects, the past and future, in to one single poem. He implies substance and action all in one. In the first line it is shown that the girl staggers by “a sudden blow”. The phrase about the wings may show that the girl is assaulted unwillingly. The second line is like an effect to the first one. It shows the effect to the blow – “staggering” and to the beating to the wings – “her thighs caressed”. The third line has lots of meanings. For example: “dark webs” may mean that it is the swans feet, may mean that it is a web of intrigue or it may mean that it is a web spun by the gods for humans to be trapped in. “Her nape caught in his bill” provides the uncertainness and forcing of the situation. In line 4 the crushing movement of the girl pinned against the bird is reinforced by the repetition of the word breast as the two are joined together unwillingly.

The second stanza, by itself is much different from the first. In it there is shown some resistance from Leda, but also an uncertainty or vague predomination it her mind that she cannot push the being away. “Feathered glory” of course shows upon the swan as god and holy being. Leda is being forcefully drawn into the swan and cannot push away for she still doubts her decisions and subconsciously doesn’t want to push away. The last line of the verse may suggest that she feels some emotion towards the swan.

The third verse talks about the future and about how one senseless union brought anguish to a whole country and to deaths of many people.

“A shudder in the loins engenders there

The broken wall, the burning roof and tower

And Agamemnon dead.”

This shows us the thoughtlessness of those actions and how it brought to many events that could be forewarned. It is sad how a union can bring so much death.

In the fourth verse we wonder if Leda could have known it was a god, could she have used his knowledge. Throughout the fourth chapter we understand that while Leda was so intrigued and caught up in the act, Zeus was still indifferent. He did not bear a thought of the consequences as he after getting what he wanted let her drop and flew away. Such are gods – as long as they get what they want they do not bother with what may happen.

A sudden blow: the great wings beating still

Above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed

By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill,

He holds her helpless breast upon his breast.

How can those terrified vague fingers push

The feathered glory from her loosening thighs?

And how can body, laid in that white rush,

But feel the strange heart beating where it lies?

A shudder in the loins engenders there

The broken wall, the burning roof and tower

And Agamemnon dead.

Being so caught up,

So mastered by the brute blood of the air,

Did she put on his knowledge with his power

Before the indifferent beak could let her drop?