The second coming

"The Second Coming" is a poem written by the Irish poet W.B. Yeats, published in 1919. The poem speaks of a world in chaos, with the Christian savior, Jesus Christ, returning to set things right. The poem is known for its use of apocalyptic language, with lines like "The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the center cannot hold." It has been interpreted in various ways, but is often seen as a commentary on the political and social upheaval of the time, particularly the aftermath of World War I.

Here is a line-by-line explanation of "The Second Coming":

1. "Turning and turning in the widening gyre" - The "gyre" refers to a spiral or vortex, and the line suggests that the world is spinning out of control.
2. "The falcon cannot hear the falconer" - The falcon represents humanity, and the falconer represents God or a higher power. The line suggests that humanity has become disconnected from its guiding force.
3. "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold" - This line suggests that society is breaking down and that the values that hold it together are collapsing.
4. "Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world" - "Anarchy" means a lack of order or control, and the line suggests that chaos is spreading throughout the world.
5. "The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere" - The "blood-dimmed tide" refers to violence and conflict, and the line suggests that it is spreading throughout the world.
6. "The ceremony of innocence is drowned" - The "ceremony of innocence" refers to the rituals and customs that uphold moral values and order. The line suggests that these customs are being destroyed.
7. "The best lack all conviction, while the worst" - The "best" refer to the best people, while the "worst" refer to the worst people. The line suggests that the best people have lost their sense of purpose and conviction, while the worst people are full of energy and conviction.
8. "Are full of passionate intensity" - This line suggests that the worst people are full of strong, intense emotions.
9. "Surely some revelation is at hand" - A "revelation" is a sudden, surprising discovery or realization. The line suggests that something significant is about to happen.
10. "The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out" - "The Second Coming" refers to the return of Jesus Christ in Christian belief. The line suggests that the event is imminent and that it will be a shocking and transformative moment.
11. "When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi" - "Spiritus Mundi" is a term coined by Yeats that refers to the collective consciousness or spirit of the world. The "vast image" could be a metaphor for a new, transformative idea or movement.
12. "Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand;" - The line suggests that the speaker sees a vast, empty expanse of desert sand, which troubles or disturbs them.
13. "A shape with lion body and the head of a man" - The line describes a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man. This could be a reference to the sphinx, a mythical creature that is part lion, part human, and part eagle.
14. "A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun" - The creature's gaze is described as being as pitiless as the sun, suggesting that it is unyielding and unforgiving.
15. "Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it" - The creature is described as moving its legs slowly and majestically.
16. "Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds" - The "reel shadows" of the birds suggest that they are moving in a disoriented or dizzy way. The "indignant" birds

17. "The darkness drops again; but now I know" - The line suggests that the speaker sees the creature and then the darkness returns, but the speaker now has a new understanding or knowledge.
18. "That twenty centuries of stony sleep" - The "twenty centuries" refer to the time that has passed since Jesus' death and the time of his predicted return. The "stony sleep" could be a metaphor for death or for a dormant state.
19. "Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle" - The "nightmare" could be a metaphor for the turbulent and chaotic state of the world, and the "rocking cradle" could be a symbol of the birth of a new age or movement.
20. "And what rough beast, its hour come round at last" - The "rough beast" could be a metaphor for a new, transformative idea or movement that has been waiting to emerge. The line suggests that its time has finally come.
21. "Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?" - "Bethlehem" is the birthplace of Jesus, and the line suggests that the "rough beast" is heading towards Bethlehem, as if it is being born or reborn.
22. "The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out" - This line repeats the opening of the poem, emphasizing the imminence and significance of the event.
23. "When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi" - This line repeats the opening of the second stanza, reinforcing the idea that the "vast image" is an important and transformative idea or movement.
24. "Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert" - The line suggests that the speaker sees the "vast image" in the desert, and it troubles or disturbs their vision.
25. "A shape with lion body and the head of a man" - This line repeats the opening of the third stanza, describing the creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man.
26. "A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun" - This line repeats the opening of the fourth stanza, describing the creature's unyielding and unforgiving gaze.
27. "Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it" - This line repeats the opening of the fifth stanza, describing the creature's slow and majestic movement.
28. "Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds" - This line repeats the opening of the sixth stanza, describing the disoriented and dizzy movement of the birds.
29. "The darkness drops again; but now I know" - This line repeats the opening of the seventh stanza, suggesting that the speaker has gained a new understanding or knowledge.
30. "That twenty centuries of stony sleep" - This line repeats the opening of the eighth stanza, referring to the time that has passed since Jesus' death and the time of his predicted return.
31. "Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle" - This line repeats the opening of the ninth stanza, suggesting that the tumultuous state of the world has been caused by the birth of a new age or movement.
32. "And what rough beast, its hour come round at last" - This line repeats the opening of the tenth stanza, suggesting that the "rough beast" is a new, transformative idea or movement that has been waiting to emerge.
33. "Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?" - is the final line of the poem. The phrase "slouches towards Bethlehem" suggests that the "rough beast" described in the previous lines is moving slowly and menacingly towards Bethlehem, which is the birthplace of Jesus in Christian belief. The phrase "to be born" suggests that the beast is emerging or coming into existence. The phrase "Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?" is significant because it combines several key themes and symbols in the poem. The "rough beast" is a metaphor for a new, transformative idea or movement that has been waiting to emerge. The phrase "slouches towards Bethlehem" suggests that the beast is heading towards a significant and transformative event, such as the Second Coming of Jesus. The phrase "to be born" suggests that the beast is being born or reborn, which could symbolize a new era or a new beginning.

In conclusion, "The Second Coming" is a poem that speaks to a world in chaos, with the structures that hold society together breaking down and violence and conflict rampant. The speaker believes that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is imminent and sees a vision of a rough beast, or chaotic force, making its way to Bethlehem to be born. The poem ends with a question, asking what this rough beast is and what its arrival will mean for the world. Overall, the poem reflects the political and social upheaval of the time, particularly the aftermath of World War I, and speaks to the idea of a new order rising from the chaos.