The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

PEL Presents (sub)Text: Slouching Towards Bethlehem in W.B. Yeats’ “The Second Coming”: Part 2

The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Wes and Erin continue their discussion of W.B. Yeats’ "The Second Coming." In Part 1, they analyzed the first stanza of the poem, in particular Yeats' use of "gyre"; the meaning of the phrases "things fall apart" and "the center cannot hold"; and the conflict between aristocratic and revolutionary values. In Part 2, they discuss -- with a little help from Nietzsche -- the anti-redemption of the second stanza, and the meaning of Yeats' vision of a "rough beast" slouching towards Bethlehem. 

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Thanks to Tyler Hislop for the audio editing on this episode.

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