“Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

“Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats was first published in 1899 in his third volume of poetry, “The Wind Among the Reeds.” The poem is notable for its simple yet profound language, expressing a yearning for love and the beauty of dreams. Aedh, the speaker, wishes he could offer his beloved the riches of heaven but, having nothing tangible to give, offers instead his dreams. The poem’s delicate imagery and rhythm create a melancholic tone, while the repetition of certain phrases emphasizes the speaker’s sincerity and devotion. Ultimately, “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the fragility of human connection.

Text: “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Annotations: “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

Line	Annotation
Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,	The speaker, Aedh, expresses a desire for the beautiful and precious cloths of heaven, symbolizing spiritual and divine beauty.
Enwrought with golden and silver light,	The cloths are adorned with golden and silver light, representing the radiant and luminous quality of the divine.
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths	The speaker also desires the cloths of night and darkness, symbolizing the mystery and profundity of the universe.
Of night and light and the half-light,	This line emphasizes the speaker’s desire for the full range of human experience, from darkness to light, and the intermediate states.
I would spread the cloths under your feet:	If the speaker possessed these heavenly cloths, they would offer them to the beloved as a symbol of devotion and reverence.
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;	However, the speaker is aware of their own poverty and limitations, and can only offer their dreams instead of the divine cloths.
I have spread my dreams under your feet;	The speaker offers their dreams as a humble substitute for the heavenly cloths, symbolizing their sincerity and dedication.
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.	The speaker asks the beloved to tread carefully, as they are walking on the fragile and precious dreams that have been offered.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

Literary/Poetic Device	Example from the Poem	Explanation
Metaphor	“Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths”	Compares the heavens to embroidered cloths, creating a vivid and beautiful image.
Symbolism	“Golden and silver light”	Represents spiritual and divine beauty, as well as the preciousness of the cloths.
Enjambment	“The blue and the dim and the dark cloths / Of night and light and the half-light”	The sentence continues into the next line without punctuation, creating a sense of flow and continuity.
Personification	“I would spread the cloths under your feet”	Gives the speaker a humble and reverent tone, as if they are offering something precious to the beloved.
Imagery	“The blue and the dim and the dark cloths”	Evokes a sense of color and texture, creating a vivid image in the reader’s mind.
Alliteration	“Half-light”	Repeats the “l” sound, creating a musical quality.
Irony	“But I, being poor, have only my dreams”	The speaker’s poverty contrasts with the richness of the heavenly cloths, highlighting their humility.
Synecdoche	“I have spread my dreams under your feet”	Uses “dreams” to represent the speaker’s inner world and thoughts.
Cautionary Tone	“Tread softly because you tread on my dreams”	Creates a sense of gentle warning, emphasizing the fragility of the speaker’s dreams.

Themes: “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

1. Sacrifice and Love: Yeats explores the theme of sacrifice and love through the speaker’s desire to offer the most precious and celestial possessions to their beloved. The imagery of “the heavens’ embroidered cloths” symbolizes the vastness and magnificence of the universe, while “golden and silver light” suggests the richness and beauty of these celestial fabrics. Despite the speaker’s impoverished state, they long to give everything they have, even their dreams, to their beloved. This theme highlights the profound depth of the speaker’s love and their willingness to make sacrifices for the happiness of their beloved.
2. Desire and Longing: Throughout the poem, there is a palpable sense of desire and longing expressed by the speaker. They yearn for the ability to provide extravagantly for their beloved, to adorn their path with celestial beauty. The repetition of “I would spread the cloths under your feet” emphasizes the intensity of the speaker’s longing and their fervent desire to fulfill their beloved’s desires. However, the refrain “But I, being poor, have only my dreams” underscores the painful reality of their limitations, intensifying their longing and desire for something beyond their reach.
3. The Power of Dreams: The theme of dreams is central to the poem, serving as a metaphor for the speaker’s aspirations, hopes, and imagination. Despite lacking material wealth, the speaker finds solace in their dreams, which they metaphorically spread “under your feet” as a gesture of devotion. The act of spreading dreams suggests the speaker’s belief in the transformative power of imagination and the capacity of dreams to elevate and enrich the human experience. However, the plea to “Tread softly because you tread on my dreams” reveals the vulnerability inherent in sharing one’s deepest aspirations, highlighting the delicate nature of dreams and the need for sensitivity and care in handling them.
4. Inequality and Social Class: The poem subtly addresses themes of inequality and social class through the juxtaposition of the speaker’s poverty with their aspirations for opulence and grandeur. The contrast between the celestial imagery of “the heavens’ embroidered cloths” and the speaker’s humble reality underscores the disparities in wealth and privilege. Despite their lack of material wealth, the speaker’s love and devotion are no less genuine or profound. This theme prompts reflection on the arbitrary nature of societal hierarchies and the enduring power of love and imagination to transcend earthly limitations.

Literary Theories and “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

Literary Theory	Reference from the Poem	Explanation
Symbolism (Ferdinand de Saussure)	“Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths”	The cloths represent spiritual and divine beauty, and the speaker’s desire for them symbolizes their longing for transcendence.
Imagist Theory (T.E. Hulme)	“The blue and the dim and the dark cloths / Of night and light and the half-light”	The vivid and concise imagery in these lines exemplifies the Imagist focus on clear and precise language, evoking a sense of color and texture.
Postcolonial Theory (Edward Said)	“But I, being poor, have only my dreams”	The speaker’s poverty and humility can be seen as a reflection of Ireland’s colonial status, with the poem expressing a desire for spiritual and cultural liberation.

Critical Questions about “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

• Question 1: What is the significance of the “cloths of heaven” in the poem?
• The “cloths of heaven” in the poem represent a longing for spiritual and divine beauty, as evident in the lines “Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths, / Enwrought with golden and silver light” (1-2). The speaker desires these cloths to spread under the beloved’s feet, symbolizing a desire to connect with something greater than themselves. The cloths may also represent the speaker’s aspirations for artistic or poetic expression, as they are “embroidered” with golden and silver light, suggesting a rich and precious quality.
• Question 2: How does the speaker’s humility and poverty impact the tone of the poem?
• The speaker’s humility and poverty are evident in the lines “But I, being poor, have only my dreams; / I have spread my dreams under your feet” (5-6). This humility creates a tone of reverence and devotion, as the speaker offers their dreams as a substitute for the divine cloths. The speaker’s poverty also highlights the contrast between their own limitations and the richness of the heavenly cloths, emphasizing the speaker’s sense of longing and yearning.
• Question 3: What role does imagery play in conveying the speaker’s emotions and desires?
• Imagery plays a crucial role in conveying the speaker’s emotions and desires, as seen in the lines “The blue and the dim and the dark cloths / Of night and light and the half-light” (3-4). These lines evoke a sense of color and texture, creating a vivid image in the reader’s mind. The imagery also suggests the speaker’s desire for a range of human experiences, from darkness to light, and the intermediate states.
• Question 4: How does the poem’s use of symbolism and metaphor contribute to its themes of love and spirituality?
• The poem’s use of symbolism and metaphor contributes significantly to its themes of love and spirituality, as seen in the comparison of the beloved’s feet to the heavens’ embroidered cloths. This metaphor suggests a deep reverence and adoration for the beloved, elevating them to a divine status. The symbolism of the cloths also represents the speaker’s longing for spiritual connection and transcendence, highlighting the interconnectedness of love and spirituality in the poem.

Topics, Questions and Thesis Statement about “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
Love and Devotion	How does the speaker’s desire for the cloths of heaven reflect their love and devotion to the beloved?	“Through his longing for the cloths of heaven, Yeats’ speaker embodies a profound love and devotion to the beloved, elevating them to a divine status.”
Spirituality and Transcendence	What role do the cloths of heaven play in the speaker’s quest for spiritual connection and transcendence?	“The cloths of heaven symbolize the speaker’s yearning for spiritual transcendence, representing a desire to connect with something greater than themselves.”
Poverty and Humility	How does the speaker’s poverty and humility impact their relationship with the beloved and the cloths of heaven?	“The speaker’s poverty and humility serve as a catalyst for their devotion, allowing them to offer their dreams as a humble substitute for the divine cloths.”
Imagery and Symbolism	How does Yeats’ use of imagery and symbolism in the poem convey the speaker’s emotions and desires?	“Through vivid imagery and rich symbolism, Yeats creates a dreamlike atmosphere, conveying the speaker’s deep longing and reverence for the beloved and the divine.”

Literary Works Similar to “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

1. “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe: This poem, like Yeats’s work, explores themes of love and longing, albeit with Poe’s signature Gothic flair. It tells the story of a love so strong that even death cannot extinguish it.
2. “When You Are Old” by W.B. Yeats: Since you appreciate Yeats, you might enjoy another of his poems. “When You Are Old” reflects on love, regret, and the passage of time, similar in theme to “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven.”
3. “Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” by William Shakespeare: Shakespeare’s sonnet is one of the most famous love poems in the English language. Like Yeats, Shakespeare uses vivid imagery to express the speaker’s affection for their beloved.
4. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot: While different in style from Yeats’s romantic lyricism, Eliot’s poem shares a similar depth of emotion and introspection. It delves into themes of love, insecurity, and the passage of time.
5. “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron: Byron’s poem celebrates the beauty of a woman, much like Yeats celebrates the beauty of the heavens in “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven.” It’s a lyrical and romantic piece that captures the essence of admiration and reverence.

Suggested Readings: “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

Representative Quotations from “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by William Butler Yeats

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths, / Enwrought with golden and silver light”	The speaker desires the beautiful and precious cloths of heaven, symbolizing spiritual and divine beauty.	Symbolism: The cloths represent a longing for transcendence and connection with the divine.
“The blue and the dim and the dark cloths / Of night and light and the half-light”	The speaker desires the full range of human experience, from darkness to light.	Imagist Theory: The vivid and concise imagery evokes a sense of color and texture, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
“But I, being poor, have only my dreams; / I have spread my dreams under your feet”	The speaker offers their dreams as a humble substitute for the divine cloths.	Postcolonial Theory: The speaker’s poverty and humility reflect the cultural and political implications of colonialism and imperialism.
“Tread softly because you tread on my dreams”	The speaker asks the beloved to tread carefully, as they are walking on the fragile and precious dreams.	Psychoanalytic Theory: The speaker’s dreams represent their inner world and thoughts, and the beloved’s tread symbolizes the fragility of the human psyche.
“I would spread the cloths under your feet: / But I, being poor, have only my dreams”	The speaker desires to offer the divine cloths to the beloved, but can only offer their dreams instead.	Feminist Theory: The speaker’s humility and devotion to the beloved can be seen as a reflection of patriarchal societal expectations and gender roles.