1. An Irish Airman foresees his Death William Butler Yeats 1917 (Irish Nationalist)

4. Background WW I (1914-18) coincides with Irish War of Independence. Ireland was still a part of the U.K. U.K. promised Home Rule after the war, if the Irish would fight with them. Irish Nationalism; Easter Rising 1916.The Nationalists used German weapons against the British : “The enemy of your enemy was your friend” Life expectancy of new pilots in 1917 was approximately 11 days

5. Form One stanza, 16 lines Crossed Rhyme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH) Run-on-lines : 1, 7, 15

6. Content Line 1 and 2 : statement made by the poet ; a pilot Line 3 refers to the Germans Line 4 refers to the English Line 5 & 6 explain he is Irish Line 7 & 8 explain that whatever happens either to him or to the outcome of the war won’t make any difference to his poor country men

8. Lord Kitchener

9. Content In lines 9 & 10 the poet explains he was not obliged, not drafted, not influenced by politics ‘We want you’ or crowds of cheering women Repetition ‘nor’ = emphasis free will Lines 11 & 12 explain why : the excitement of flying, something he loved, living among the clouds In lines 13 – 16 he reasons on : his future and his past were not worth living (again emphasis repetition ‘ a waste of breath’ )

10. Airmen first world war

12. Content Airmen then were volunteers. Rather live short in the air (life expectancy of new pilots in 1917 was 11 days) than live longer on the ground = trenches. No delight there in dying. Last line : Balance life / death also refers to flying : in order to fly the forces of lift and gravitation have to be in balance. Uplifting forces are love, happiness,life. Gravitational forces are hate, loss, death