Description
Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven is one of William Butler Yeats shorter, yet distinctively deep poems included in his third volume of poetry entitled The Wind Among the Reeds.In this poem, Yeats introduces Aedh, one of three archetypal characters included by the poet in his myth and known collectively as the principles of the mind. The other two characters are the intellectually endowed Michael Robartes and Red Hanrahan, an adept of Romantic Primitivism.Aedh, on the other hand, is unhappy and discouraged as a result of his unrequited love, and the poem Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven fully emphasizes this fact while expressing his deep longing for the Beautiful Lady Without Mercy. Aedh is referred to simply as He in later versions of the poem included in Yeats collected works.In Yeats masterfully crafted verses, we are presented with Aedhs dreams and powerful aspirations expressed through what he would do if he had the Cloths of Heaven. In contrast, he later falls into dismay as he is brought back to the reality of his grim existence.William Butler Yeats (1865 1939) belonged to the Anglo-Irish minority of Ireland, and was considered one of the very best poets of the 20th century. Despite his lineage and the fact that the minority he was part of considered itself English, Yeats continued to affirm his Irish nationality. He began publishing his poetry in 1885, at a relatively young age, and by 1923 he achieved worldwide status as a poet and artist, receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature.Works such as Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven are true gems attesting to the brilliant talent and literary skill of the Irish poet. The poem continues to be held in high regard not only by fans of Yeats, but by critics and poetry lovers who are able to appreciate refine art at its best.