For centuries, the pursuits and perils of love have been widely documented in literature and the arts. Around the world, people pursue relationships that embody the intense and beautiful emotions associated with romance. But such highly desirous romantic relationships are difficult to find and require some unattractive work. Oftentimes, the vanity and self-adoration that originate from a momentary love of youthful beauty are so strong that beholders become unable to recognize the lifelong romance of true love. William Butler Yeats' poem, "When You Are Old," serves as a warning against the youthful lust for love and immature vanity that can lead to an empty and lonely adulthood.
As the poem's first line indicates, old life awaits the vane individuals who fore-go romantic love and instead opt to revel in their own lovely beauty. Although Yeats does not specifically state that his subject is single, the scenario he first describes implies that the person "nodding by the fire," in aged tiredness is alone. For example, to "slowly read, and dream," are actions done most often in the absence of company. If Yeats' subject were accompanied, there would be no need to dream or reminisce of the past. It is clear that the subject of the poem is expected to grow old alone, no longer able to engage in the activities and mentality of her youthful past.
Despite the predicted maturity and solitude of Yeats' subject, it quickly becomes clear that her youthful life is anything but tired and lonely. Yeats describes "the soft look" of his subject's younger eyes and the beloved "moments of grace" from the past. He writes as if his subject is now old and single, acknowledging the disappointing discrepancies between a dreamy, graceful past and a sleepy, graying present. Clearly, the choices made have led to this current state of singleness and have resulted in a loss of whimsical youth. He uses these changes in character descriptions as prophetic...