Fusion of Ideals of Romanticism and Realistic Concerns of Modernism in W.B.Yeats’ Selected Poems

Abstract

This research paperexamines the fusion of ideals of Romanticism and realistic concerns of Modernism in William Butler Yeats’ selected poems.It begins with a demonstration of Yeats as representative of Romanticism andexplanation of crucial romantic traits. The Romantic influence is reflected through the issues likesubjectivity, escapism, celebration of imagination, revival of myths, use of memory, valorization of nature, art and beauty.He inherits these themes fromhis Romantic predecessors like William Wordsworth, P.B Shelley and John Keats.Then, this papercontinues to exhibit Yeats as a Modernist poet who has romantic roots.His connection withthe changing face of literary culturein the early twentieth centuryled him to pick up the styles and conventions of modernist poetsin order to reflectthe turbulence of the world.This influencescaused his poetry to fulfill the demand of the age. But, he neverabandonsto reflect the romanticelements that provided essence in his earlier poetry.Though, hebelongs to the Modern period in literary canon. Yet, his poetry embodies Romantic featureswhichexplores theinteraction of art and violence.