A Neoplatonic Reading of W. B. Yeats’s “Sailing to Byzantium” and “A Dialogue of Self and Soul”

Abstract

This paper explores W. B. Yeats's poems “Sailing to Byzantium” and “A Dialogue of Self and Soul” through the lens of Neoplatonism, aiming to uncover their philosophical depths. While scholars have examined the mystical elements in Yeats's works, a specific focus on Neoplatonic analysis is lacking. Employing Neoplatonic analysis, this study aims to reveal profound layers of meaning within both poems, emphasizing themes of soul’s ascent, the nature of reality, and the soul's relationship with the material world. The two poems share a common theme rooted in Neoplatonic belief, asserting the existence of a sublime and perfect world beyond the limitations of time and material. However, the goals pursued by the speakers present a contradiction. In “Sailing to Byzantium,” the old man seeks a timeless, sublime realm akin to “the One,” while “A Dialogue of Self and Soul” depicts the Self joyfully embracing life amidst infinite, cyclical suffering, reflecting a resolute engagement with the existence.