This goes back to the discussion that we had in class today about Yeats’ tendency toward idealizing something that cannot happen or not taking action toward it. The poem that I am specifically thinking of, going along with the same theme of “He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” is “He Wishes his Beloved Were Dead.” I found it interesting that he feels that it would be a better life for him if his lover were dead; instead of desiring a life of happiness and practicality that married life brings, his spiritual ideals take over and he would rather not have that happiness. I also think that goes back to the idea that to be all knowing is not the way to happiness. Instead, he’d rather love a life of mystery, following suit with the Celtic tradition.
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