An Irish Airman Foresees His Death

by W. B. Yeats

BACKGROUND: Yeats wrote this poem to commemorate the death of Major Robert Gregory, who was killed during FWW. The soldier was the son of Lady Gregory, a leading figure in the Irish Literary Renaissance.

I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate
Those that I guard I do not love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan’s poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade* me fight,
Nor public man, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.

* bade: bid, bade, bidden. to command.

Questions for the analysis:

1. Summary.

• Reread lines 9-12. What reasons did not inspire the speaker to fight? What inspired him?
• Reread lines 13-16. What can you infer about the speaker's view of his life when he decided to become an airman?

2. Structure and rhyme scheme.

3. Speaker.

4. Themes.

5. Tone.

6. Analyse the main symbol of the poem.

7. Examples of anaphora and other figurative language you find relevant. What effect do they produce?

8. Is the poem patriotic? Link this idea to the historical context.

Worksheet and key.