Sailing to Byzantium by W.B. Yeats - Essay Example

The speaker wants to be in Byzantium because he does not suit the land where he is already. He considers Byzantium as an idealized city. He views himself as a “paltry thing” because of his being old. He wants to escape from the young land to Byzantium, which is an ancient Greek city. The speaker regards Byzantium as Holy. He thinks that his body is like a “dying animal” but his heart is “sick with desire”. He feels that by being in Byzantium, he can flee from the disagreement between his desire and body.

The speaker wants to die after being in Byzantium because he wants to get rid of his wasted body. He beseeches God to take away his body. He says that he will never wish to regain his “bodily form”. Firstly, he wishes to be a “Grecian’s goldsmith’s make”, which means a statue. Secondly, he wishes to be a bird that is able to sing forever. The speaker keeps the view that the youth is neglectful and uncaring. According to the speaker, art is something ever living.

Art can last beyond natural things. As far as the human spirit is concerned, he thinks that it is mortal and can only be free after his death.