EuropeEurope is one of the seven traditional is one of the seven traditional continentscontinents of the of the EarthEarth. . PhysicallyPhysically and and

geologicallygeologically, Europe is the westernmost , Europe is the westernmost peninsulapeninsula of of EurasiaEurasia, west of , west of AsiaAsia. .

Europe is bounded to the north by the Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic OceanArctic Ocean, to the west by the , to the west by the

Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean, to the south by the , to the south by the Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea, to the southeast by , to the southeast by

the the Caucasus MountainsCaucasus Mountains and the and the Black SeaBlack Sea and the waterways connecting and the waterways connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. To the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. To

the east, Europe is generally divided from the east, Europe is generally divided from Asia by the Asia by the water dividewater divide of the of the

Ural MountainsUral Mountains, the , the Ural RiverUral River, and by , and by the the Caspian SeaCaspian Sea. .

European LiteratureEuropean Literature European literatureEuropean literature refers to the refers to the literatureliterature of of

EuropeEurope.. European literature includes literature in many European literature includes literature in many

languageslanguages; among the most important of the modern ; among the most important of the modern written works are those in written works are those in EnglishEnglish, , SpanishSpanish, , FrenchFrench, , DutchDutch, , PolishPolish, , GermanGerman, , ItalianItalian, , Modern GreekModern Greek, , CzechCzech and and RussianRussian and works by the and works by the ScandinaviansScandinavians and and IrishIrish..

Important classical and medieval traditions are those Important classical and medieval traditions are those in in LatinLatin, , Ancient GreekAncient Greek, Old Norse, Medieval French , Old Norse, Medieval French and the Italian Tuscan dialect of the renaissance.and the Italian Tuscan dialect of the renaissance.

In colloquial speech, European literature often is used In colloquial speech, European literature often is used as a synonym for Western literature.as a synonym for Western literature.

European literature is a part of world literature.European literature is a part of world literature.

William Butler William Butler YeatsYeats

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Irish poet and dramatist, and Nobel William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Irish poet and dramatist, and Nobel laureate, who was a leader of the Irish Renaissance and one of the laureate, who was a leader of the Irish Renaissance and one of the foremost writers of the 20th century.foremost writers of the 20th century.

Yeats was born in Dublin on June 13, 1865, the son of the noted Irish Yeats was born in Dublin on June 13, 1865, the son of the noted Irish painter John Butler Yeats. He was schooled in London and in Dublin, painter John Butler Yeats. He was schooled in London and in Dublin, where he studied painting, and vacationed in county Sligo, which inspired where he studied painting, and vacationed in county Sligo, which inspired his enthusiasm for Irish tradition. In 1887 he moved with his family to his enthusiasm for Irish tradition. In 1887 he moved with his family to London and became interested in Hinduism, theosophy, and occultism. London and became interested in Hinduism, theosophy, and occultism. He wrote lyrical, symbolic poems on pagan Irish themes, such as He wrote lyrical, symbolic poems on pagan Irish themes, such as The The Wanderings of OisinWanderings of Oisin (1889) and (1889) and The Lake Isle of InnisfreeThe Lake Isle of Innisfree (1893), in the (1893), in the romantic melancholy tone he believed characteristic of the ancient Celts. romantic melancholy tone he believed characteristic of the ancient Celts. He also wrote He also wrote The Celtic TwilightThe Celtic Twilight (1893) and (1893) and The Secret RoseThe Secret Rose (1897), (1897), which deal with Irish legends. On a visit to Ireland he met the beautiful which deal with Irish legends. On a visit to Ireland he met the beautiful Irish patriot Maud Gonne, whom he loved unrequitedly the rest of his life. Irish patriot Maud Gonne, whom he loved unrequitedly the rest of his life. She inspired much of his early work and drew him into the Irish She inspired much of his early work and drew him into the Irish nationalist movement for independence.nationalist movement for independence.

Later Years:Later Years: As Yeats grew older, he turned to practical politics, serving in the Senate As Yeats grew older, he turned to practical politics, serving in the Senate

of the new Irish Free State from 1922 to 1928. He also accomplished the of the new Irish Free State from 1922 to 1928. He also accomplished the feat, rare among poets, of deepening and perfecting his complex styles as feat, rare among poets, of deepening and perfecting his complex styles as the years advanced. His later writings are generally acknowledged to be the years advanced. His later writings are generally acknowledged to be his best. They were influenced by Georgie Hyde-Lees, his wife since his best. They were influenced by Georgie Hyde-Lees, his wife since 1917, who had a medium's gift for automated writing. 1917, who had a medium's gift for automated writing. A VisionA Vision (1925) is (1925) is an elaborate attempt in prose to explain the mythology, symbolism, and an elaborate attempt in prose to explain the mythology, symbolism, and philosophy that Yeats used in much of his work. It discusses the eternal philosophy that Yeats used in much of his work. It discusses the eternal opposites of objectivity and subjectivity, art and life, soul and body that opposites of objectivity and subjectivity, art and life, soul and body that are the basis of his philosophy. Other poetic works in this vein are are the basis of his philosophy. Other poetic works in this vein are The The Wild Swans at CooleWild Swans at Coole (1917), (1917), The TowerThe Tower (1928), and (1928), and The Winding StairThe Winding Stair (1933).(1933).

Lake Isle of InnisfreeLake Isle of Innisfree

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

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

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

First published in the collection First published in the collection The RoseThe Rose in 1893, “The in 1893, “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” is an example of Yeats’s earlier Lake Isle of Innisfree” is an example of Yeats’s earlier lyric poems. Throughout the three short quatrains the lyric poems. Throughout the three short quatrains the poem explores the speaker’s longing for the peace and poem explores the speaker’s longing for the peace and tranquility of his boyhood haunt, Innisfree.tranquility of his boyhood haunt, Innisfree.

““The Lake Isle of Innisfree” suggests that a life of The Lake Isle of Innisfree” suggests that a life of simplicity in nature will bring peace to the troubled simplicity in nature will bring peace to the troubled speaker. However, the poem is the speaker’s speaker. However, the poem is the speaker’s recollection of Innisfree, and therefore the journey is an recollection of Innisfree, and therefore the journey is an emotional and spiritual escape rather than an actual emotional and spiritual escape rather than an actual one. Innisfree may be a symbol for the speaker’s passed one. Innisfree may be a symbol for the speaker’s passed youth, which the speaker is unable to return to in the youth, which the speaker is unable to return to in the “real,” or physical, world. Emotionally, the speaker can “real,” or physical, world. Emotionally, the speaker can return again and again to the tranquility of Innisfree.return again and again to the tranquility of Innisfree.

William BlakeWilliam Blake

William Blake (1757-1827), English poet, painter, and William Blake (1757-1827), English poet, painter, and engraver, who created an unusual form of illustrated verse; his engraver, who created an unusual form of illustrated verse; his poetry, inspired by mystical vision, is among the most original, poetry, inspired by mystical vision, is among the most original, lyric, and prophetic in the language.lyric, and prophetic in the language.

Blake, the son of a hosier (stocking-maker), was born Blake, the son of a hosier (stocking-maker), was born November 28, 1757, in London, where he lived most of his life. November 28, 1757, in London, where he lived most of his life. Largely self-taught, he was, however, widely read, and his Largely self-taught, he was, however, widely read, and his poetry shows the influence of the German mystic Jakob poetry shows the influence of the German mystic Jakob Boehme, for example, and of Swedenborgianism. Boehme, for example, and of Swedenborgianism.

As a child, Blake wanted to become a painter. He was sent to As a child, Blake wanted to become a painter. He was sent to drawing school and at the age of 14 was apprenticed to James drawing school and at the age of 14 was apprenticed to James Basire, an engraver. The young Blake had to draw monuments Basire, an engraver. The young Blake had to draw monuments in the old churches of London, a task he thoroughly enjoyed.in the old churches of London, a task he thoroughly enjoyed.

After his seven-year apprenticeship was over, Blake studied After his seven-year apprenticeship was over, Blake studied briefly at the Royal Academy, but he rebelled against the briefly at the Royal Academy, but he rebelled against the aesthetic doctrines of its president, Sir Joshua Reynolds. aesthetic doctrines of its president, Sir Joshua Reynolds. Reynolds was a neoclassicist who took a very academic Reynolds was a neoclassicist who took a very academic approach to the study of art. Blake preferred to draw from his approach to the study of art. Blake preferred to draw from his imagination. At the Royal Academy Blake did, however, imagination. At the Royal Academy Blake did, however, establish friendships with such artists as John Flaxman and establish friendships with such artists as John Flaxman and Henry Fuseli, whose work may have influenced him. Henry Fuseli, whose work may have influenced him.

In 1784 Blake married Catherine Boucher, the daughter of a In 1784 Blake married Catherine Boucher, the daughter of a gardener, who proved a devoted wife. The Blakes set up a print gardener, who proved a devoted wife. The Blakes set up a print shop; although it failed after a few years, for the rest of his life shop; although it failed after a few years, for the rest of his life Blake eked out a living as an engraver and illustrator. His wife Blake eked out a living as an engraver and illustrator. His wife helped him print the illuminated poetry for which he is helped him print the illuminated poetry for which he is remembered today.remembered today.

"The Tyger" was published as a part of "The Tyger" was published as a part of Songs of ExperienceSongs of Experience and the poem can and the poem can also be seen as dealing with the growing also be seen as dealing with the growing knowledge of the world as one ages. knowledge of the world as one ages. While "The Lamb" is grounded in the While "The Lamb" is grounded in the pastoral settings of Blake's youth "The pastoral settings of Blake's youth "The Tyger" is set in the industrialized Tyger" is set in the industrialized modernity. "The Tyger" reflects a modernity. "The Tyger" reflects a knowledge that evil exists in the world knowledge that evil exists in the world and that benevolence is not omnipresent. and that benevolence is not omnipresent.

The LambThe LambLittle Lamb who made thee? Little Lamb who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life and bid thee feed Gave thee life and bid thee feed

By the stream and o'er the mead; By the stream and o'er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Gave thee clothing of delight,

Softest clothing whooly bright; Softest clothing whooly bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Gave thee such a tender voice,

Making all the vales rejoice. Making all the vales rejoice. Little Lamb who made thee? Little Lamb who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb I'll tell thee, Little Lamb I'll tell thee, Little Lamb I'll tell thee; Little Lamb I'll tell thee; He is called by thy name, He is called by thy name,

For he calls himself a lamb. For he calls himself a lamb. He is meek and he is mild; He is meek and he is mild; He became a little child. He became a little child. I a child and thou a lamb, I a child and thou a lamb,

We are called by his name. We are called by his name. Little Lamb God bless thee. Little Lamb God bless thee. Little Lamb God bless thee. Little Lamb God bless thee.

Jesus Christ is "The Lamb of God" - Blake Jesus Christ is "The Lamb of God" - Blake makes the animal's name be secondary to makes the animal's name be secondary to Christ's name, seeing Christ was ordained Christ's name, seeing Christ was ordained to bear the sins of the world from before to bear the sins of the world from before eternity; therefore it is called by God's eternity; therefore it is called by God's name (not vice versa). We are also called name (not vice versa). We are also called by Christ's name: Child:he is the Son of by Christ's name: Child:he is the Son of God - from before eternity and we become God - from before eternity and we become God's Children through faith in him. In this God's Children through faith in him. In this way the lamb is called by God's name and way the lamb is called by God's name and the child is called by God's name. the child is called by God's name.