MYTH AS A TOOL FOR PROMULGATION IN THE POETRY OF W.B.YEATS

Abstract

Myth is an ancient story which deals with supernatural powers. It can either be true or be false. This mystery of myth has inspired many writers all over the world including W.B. Yeats. William Butler Yeats born in Dublin was an Irish poet and one of the important figures of twentieth century literature. In his poems he fuses myth with his Christian beliefs and political ideologies. He was fascinated by Irish folklore and had written an introduction for and edited, Irish Fairy and Folk Tales. Irish literary history and folklore were suppressed during the British rule in Ireland so he used myth as a tool to promulgate his own ideas and Irish mythology to the world. This paper explores the mythical aspects in the poetry of Yeats.