Celtic Christianity and The Secret Rose

Celtic Christianity and The Secret Rose

In William Butler Yeats' The Secret Rose, the author develops his theme through choice of diction, imagery, symbolism, and scansion. Yeats' Irish background is an influential factor in terms of the tone with which he addresses religious beliefs, and an acceptable interpretation of The Secret Rose depends on one's knowledge of Celtic history and tradition.

Throughout his poem, Yeats uses a great deal of symbolism in describing the well-known events that surround the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Every line is significant in terms of how one understands the statements (and questions) Yeats is posing. The Secret Rose is in itself, a noteworthy title, because it sums up the fixation of the poem in three simple words. The rose is a direct metaphor for Jesus Christ: it suggests purity and more importantly, it is described as, "secret" and "inviolate." A rose also brings to mind a mental picture of the color red, a hue that is often associated with sinfulness and passion. This makes the flower an especially appropriate symbol in that Jesus Christ died for the sins of his followers. Yeats' also uses language in shades of red, like "wine-stained," to describe the sometimes immoral character of human nature.

To add familiarity and understanding to a potentially confusing poem, Yeats includes several allusions to Biblical and mythological figures in The Secret Rose. He refers to the tomb in which Jesus was laid after his crucifixion: "the Holy Sepulchre," the three Kings: "the crowned Magi," and God the Father: "the king whose eyes / Saw the pierced Hands." True to his Celtic roots, Yeats' also includes a reference to Emer, the wife of the legendary Irish hero Cu Chulainn. Moreove...

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... the best time for sacrifices and divinations. The passage from The Secret Rose points specifically to Samhain, the Druid Feast of the Dead. The Druids believed that on this Holy day, the boundary between earth and the "otherworld" was very weak, so therefore passage twixt the worlds was smoother. It was tradition to create huge bonfires in honor of the departed on this Holy day, and the fires were regarded as a symbol of the passage of life, as well as rebirth. The fiery diction Yeats' uses in his passage to describe such a celebration is further evidence in support of Samhain.

The Secret Rose is a poem that incorporates a variety of literary devices to reinforce its theme and meaning. Using a great amount of symbolism and imagery, William Butler Yeats communicated his feelings regarding the Christian religion without sacrificing his pride in Irish heritage.