The Lake of Innisfree is a poem by W.B. Yeats that captures the longing for a simpler, more natural life. The speaker in the poem expresses a desire to leave behind the busy, hectic world and retreat to the tranquility of a small island in a lake.
The poem begins with the line "I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree," which immediately sets the tone of the poem as a journey or pilgrimage. The speaker is not simply dreaming about this place, but actively making a decision to go there. The use of the phrase "arise and go" suggests that the speaker is ready to take action and make a change in their life.
The next lines describe the idyllic setting of Innisfree, a small island in a lake "with nine bean rows" and "a hive for the honeybee." The speaker longs to live in this peaceful place, where they can "sit down upon the shore" and listen to the "sound of the waves." The language used here is simple and straightforward, conveying a sense of simplicity and purity.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes their desire to live a more natural, self-sufficient life on Innisfree. They want to "live alone in the bee-loud glade," tending to a garden and building a small cabin. The image of the bee-loud glade evokes a sense of the natural world thriving around the speaker. The mention of a garden and a cabin further emphasizes the speaker's desire for a simple, self-sufficient life.
The final stanza of the poem brings the speaker's longing for Innisfree full circle, as they reflect on the "peace" and "joy" they would find there. The repetition of the word "peace" in the final line reinforces the theme of the poem: the speaker is seeking a place of calm and tranquility, a place where they can escape the noise and chaos of the outside world.
In conclusion, The Lake of Innisfree is a poem that speaks to the universal desire for a simpler, more natural life. Through its vivid imagery and use of repetition, Yeats captures the longing for a peaceful retreat from the hectic world. The speaker's decision to "arise and go" to Innisfree serves as a reminder that it is never too late to seek out the life we truly want.