Yeats' Views of Life and the Possibility of the Coming Back of the Soul after Death

Abstract

This study aims at shedding light on Yeats as a philosopher, especially his views of life and the possibility of the coming back of the soul after death. The study aims at investigating Yeats’ philosophical attitudes as presented in Purgatory. Though the title denotes Christian implications, the study aims to prove that it is far away from Christianity. Rather, as the study argues, it is a summary of Yeats’ philosophic beliefs; especially his views of life and death. In Purgatory, Yeats interlinked between philosophy and literature magnificently. He employed modernist theatrical techniques by using light and sound techniques supported by symbols and imagery to express his themes. Yeats focused on the concept of purgation as presented in Purgatory The study concludes that Yeats’ Purgatory is a prediction of a degeneration in humanity in general, and of Irish society, unless people “purify” their race by choosing to be away from any form of corruption. In the play, the father killed his son because he is afraid that he would repeat the same crime that his father had done many years ago. This crime is discussed metaphorically it stands for many political meanings, Yeats warned people that if purgation is not performed wisely, it will lead to a failure of civilization and the rise of a state of anarchy. Therefore, Yeats’ Purgatory, as the study proved, is a metaphoric portrayal of the political, cultural and historical milieu of Ireland presented in a philosophical context.

Key terms: Irish drama; Irish Theatre; Yeats’ occult and philosophy; New/Historicism; Purgatory.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-5-15

Publication date: February 29th 2020