Language: Sibilance ‘We Seek for Slumbering trout’ – echoes gentle whispering sound as fairies whisper into ears (sinister and supernatural quality)
Archaic syntax ‘Where dips he rocky highland’ – connects fairies with past/world of folklore
Superlative adjective ‘reddest stolen cherries’ image of danger/temptation
Topographical emphasis ‘Sleuth Wood’ ‘Glen-Car’ – emphasizes focus on location and importance of setting
Form and structure: Repetition of refrain- hypnotic quality, similar to lullaby, imperative command makes it more luring
Juxtaposition-‘chase the frothy bubbles/the world is full of troubles’ contrast between fun/playful atmosphere and negative image of world
Final line of each stanza being the longest ‘For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand’ – disrupts idealistic portrayal of fairy life and introduces sinister element.
The line is a personified metaphor - suggests that the sadness interrupts the world.
Context: Celtic Twilight movement- revival of Irish culture
Nature idealised over the city suggesting world’s become corrupt ‘world is full of troubles’
Based on legend of fairies stealing children from beds and Yeats’ interest in mythology ‘with a faery, hand in hand.’
Links: Easter 1916 and September 1913- contain a refrain and ambiguous aspect.
Leda and the Swan ’Agamemnon dead’- based upon legendary myth
Easter 1916- ambiguity over actions of rebels links to that of the fairies
Key quotes: ‘Reddest stolen cherries’ ‘Come away, O human child!’ ‘For the world’s more full of weeping’ ‘For he comes, the human child’
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