1. William Butler Yeats Modernism

2. WB Yeats – Early life Born in Dublin, Ireland, 1865, The son of a well-known Irish painter, John Butler Yeats. Spent his childhood in County Sligo and in London. Returned to Dublin at the age of 15, to continue his education and study painting Discovered he preferred poetry.

3. The Celtic Revival Born into the Anglo-Irish landowning class, Yeats became involved with the Celtic Revival movement Celitic Revival movement: against the cultural influences of English, promote the spirit of Ireland's native heritage. Never learned Gaelic himself

4. Irish mythology and Maud Gonne His writing drew extensively from sources in Irish mythology and folklore The Irish revolutionary Maud Gonne influence his poetry She married another man in 1903, they grew apart

5. Politics, modernism, mysticism & the occult Deeply involved in politics in Ireland His work after 1910 was strongly influenced by Pound Becoming more modern - concision and imagery Never abandoned traditional verse forms. Life-long interest in mysticism and the occult Off-putting to some readers

6. The Legacy of Yeats Appointed a senator of the Irish Free State in 1922 Is remembered as an important cultural leader A major playwright A great poet W. B. Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1923 Died in 1939 at the age of seventy-three.