William Butler Yeats
Lesson plans and teaching ideas

Assignment 2: The Soldier
Using Hardy's "The Man he Killed," Yeats' "An Irish Airman Foresees his Death," and Brooke's "The Soldier," students explore character traits of the speakers.

"The Cap and Bells"
Brief summary and suggestions for writing an analysis.

"The Host of the Air"
This study guide includes suggestions for writing an analysis.

The Magic of Yeats
Background, some interpretation, some poetry.

Magic Words, Magic Brush: The Art of William Butler and Jack Yeats
Suggestions for approaching "Leda and the Swan," "The Second Coming," and other poems.

Magic Words, Magic Brush: The Influence of the Landscape of Ireland on Shaping the Poetic Voice of William Butler Yeats
A variety of activities to support several poems, with emphasis on earlier writing.

Origin of "The Lake Isle of Innisfree"
From Yeats' autobiography, located at the Thoreau Reader.

Repeat After Us
Audio files of some Yeats poems. A good site for LD students, ELL students, and for those who read well and might like to record and contribute. Files are in alphabetical order by poet; scroll down.

"When You Are Old"
Click on "Launch Lesson" to listen to the poem and to access a paraphrase and analysis of theme, imagery, and more. Click on "Points to Ponder" for reflection questions.

"The Wild Swans at Coole"
Click on "Launch Lesson" to listen to the poem and to read a paraphrase and analysis. Click on "Points to Ponder" for reflection questions.

William Butler Yeats
Good biographical background, analysis of themes, poetric technique, and imagery.

William Butler Yeats
Biography and links to e-texts of several poems.

William Butler Yeats, Winner of the 1923 Nobel Prize in Literature
Background and related links.