The Lake Isle of Innisfree -by W.B. Yeats

The Lake Isle of Innisfree
by W.B. Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake-water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

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Bengali Translation:

ইনিসফ্রির হ্রদ দ্বীপ
— W.B. Yeats

আমি এখন উঠব এবং ইনিসফ্রিতে যাব,
এখানে মাটি ও ঝাঁকনির তৈরি একটি ছোট কুটির বানাবো।
যেখানে থাকবে নয়টি শিমের গাছের সারি, একটি মৌমাছির বাসা,
আর একা একা মৌমাছির গুঞ্জনভরা প্রান্তরে বাস করব।

এবং আমি কিছু শান্তি পাবো, কারণ শান্তি আসবে আস্তে আস্তে,
সকাল বেলার পর্দা থেকে পড়বে, যেখানে রাতচরা গায়;
মাঝরাতের আভা সব সময় ঝলমলে, আর দুপুরের আকাশ হবে বেগুনি রঙে,
এবং সন্ধ্যা পূর্ণ হবে লিনেট পাখির ডানায়।

আমি এখন উঠব এবং যাব, কারণ দিন-রাত সব সময়
আমি হ্রদতীরের জল ঢেউয়ের নিঃশব্দ আওয়াজ শুনি;
যতক্ষণ আমি রাস্তার ওপর দাঁড়িয়ে আছি, অথবা ধূসর ফুটপাথে,
আমি এটি শুনি গভীর অন্তরের ভিতর।

Theme: The theme of “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by W.B. Yeats revolves around escape, nature, and inner peace. The poem expresses the speaker’s deep yearning for a tranquil retreat away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, symbolized by the island of Innisfree. In essence, the poem reflects Yeats’s desire for peace, simplicity, and a return to a natural, idealized world away from the chaos of modern existence.

Summary:

“The Lake Isle of Innisfree” is a poem written by W.B. Yeats. It expresses the speaker’s deep longing for the peaceful solitude of Innisfree, a small island in Lough Gill, Ireland, which Yeats had visited during his youth.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, and its themes revolve around nature, inner peace, and escapism. The speaker imagines retreating to Innisfree, where he would build a small cabin and live in harmony with nature, away from the noise and struggles of modern life. He envisions a tranquil existence, surrounded by the sounds of nature, such as the buzzing of bees and the rustling of the waves. The serenity of the island offers him a respite from the chaotic world.

In the final stanza, the speaker reveals that he is currently away from Innisfree, but the idea of the island and its peace fills him with a sense of longing and comfort, so much so that he feels as though he can hear its sounds even when he is far from it.

Overall, the poem reflects Yeats’ desire for escape into a simpler, more peaceful existence, where he can reconnect with nature and find inner tranquility.

Here are some short questions and answers for the poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by W.B. Yeats:

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1. What is the central theme of the poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”?

Answer: The central theme of the poem is the longing for peace and tranquility, found in the natural world. The speaker desires to escape from the chaos of city life and live in solitude on the Isle of Innisfree.

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2. Where does the speaker want to go in the poem?

Answer: The speaker wants to go to the Lake Isle of Innisfree, a peaceful, remote place in Ireland.

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3. What does the speaker plan to do at Innisfree?

Answer: The speaker plans to build a small cabin, live simply, and be at peace with nature, surrounded by the beauty and calm of the island.

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4. How does the speaker describe the sounds of Innisfree?

Answer: The speaker describes the sounds of Innisfree as the “lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore,” which adds to the peaceful, soothing atmosphere of the place.

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5. What does the speaker mean by “I will arise and go now”?

Answer: The line expresses the speaker’s desire to leave the busy, noisy city life and go to Innisfree immediately to find peace and contentment.

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6. How does the speaker feel about life in the city?

Answer: The speaker feels disconnected, restless, and troubled by the noise and chaos of city life. The speaker seeks an escape to nature for inner peace.

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7. What role does nature play in the poem?

Answer: Nature plays a crucial role in the poem as a symbol of peace, solitude, and spiritual renewal. The speaker believes that nature offers a refuge from the stresses of modern life.

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8. What does “peace comes dropping slow” refer to?

Answer: “Peace comes dropping slow” refers to the gradual and gentle arrival of inner calm and tranquility, which the speaker hopes to experience in the quiet of Innisfree.

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9. What is the significance of “nine bean-rows” mentioned in the poem?

Answer: The “nine bean-rows” are part of the simple and rural life the speaker imagines for himself at Innisfree, symbolizing self-sufficiency and closeness to nature.

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10. How does the speaker describe the beauty of Innisfree?

Answer: The speaker describes the beauty of Innisfree in terms of natural elements: the peaceful lake, the soft lapping sounds, the birds, and the quietness of the place, emphasizing its serene, untouched beauty.

Identifying metaphors in the poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree

Line of the Poem	Comparing/ Person/ Thing	Metaphor (Compared to)	Reason to use the metaphors
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow	peace	Peace is compared to a gentle drop	To show a sense of serenity
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings	veils	veils are compared to morning fog	To show the ethereal beauty of nature
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow	noon	noon is compared to purple glow	To show the colourful and beautiful atmosphere of daylight
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow	midnight	midnight is compared to glimmer	To show the beauty of starry sky
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore	sounds	sounds are compared to rhythmic movement of liquid	To show resonance of nature