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Who dreamed that beauty passes like a dream? For these red…

“Who dreamed that beauty passes like a dream? For these red lips, with all their mournful pride, Mournful that no new wonder may betide, Troy passed away in one high funeral gleam, And Usna's children died.” quote by William Butler Yeats
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“Who dreamed that beauty passes like a dream? For these red lips, with all their mournful pride, Mournful that no new wonder may betide, Troy passed away in one high funeral gleam, And Usna's children died.”

William Butler Yeats

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitable decay of civilizations, using mythic images to underscore transience.

In simple terms: Beauty and empire are temporary.

Key Takeaway

Impermanence of splendor.

Themes

mortality mythology beauty impermanence nostalgia

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • reflecting on artistic legacy
  • studying ancient myths
  • contemplating personal loss
  • discussing cultural ephemerality

Key Concepts

transience cultural decline mythic symbolism

Practical Applications

  • literary analysis
  • philosophical essay

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the poem suggest about the relationship between beauty and time?
  • How does myth enhance the theme of impermanence?
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