Understanding 'The Second Coming' by W.B. Yeats

The poem 'The Second Coming' by W.B. Yeats explores themes of chaos and anarchy in the world, suggesting that the current state of disorder is a precursor to a significant revelation. Yeats uses vivid imagery to describe a vision of a 'rough beast' symbolizing a new era, moving towards Bethlehem to be born. The poem reflects on the loss of innocence and the rise of passionate intensity among the worst of society, contrasting with the lack of conviction among the best.

What does the falcon symbolize in the opening lines of the poem?

• A return to order

• The loss of control

• The rise of innocence

• A peaceful world

What is the significance of the 'Second Coming' in the poem?

• A celebration of life

• An impending revelation or change

• A return to traditional values

• The end of the world

What does the 'Spiritus Mundi' refer to in the poem?

• A personal dream

• A collective unconscious

• A historical event

• A religious ceremony

How is the creature described in the final section of the poem?

• As a gentle lamb

• As a beautiful angel

• As a wise old man

• As a rough beast with a lion's body

What is the mood at the end of the poem?

• Hopeful and optimistic

• Calm and serene

• Joyful and celebratory

• Foreboding and ominous