The Ambivalence of the Historical Experience of Wordsworth and Yeats: French Revolution and Easter Rising

Abstract

Both Wordsworth and Yeats dream of the establishment of a new republic and the independence of Ireland, undergoing the French Revolution and the Easter Rising. The violence and bloodshed, which these historical events bring about, however, change the two poets's mind. They come to have ambivalent feelings, constantly questioning their own judgment of the terrible historical events. Wordsworth and Yeats could face confusing historical events only in nature and language, not completely eliminating their ambivalence in the events, though. The two poets constantly travel between the light and shadow of the French Revolution and the Easter Rising, expressing joy and sorrow, affirmation and denial, hope and fear.