A Coat

‘A Coat’ by William Butler Yeats – Alternative points of view

a) The poem itself is about Yeats creating an illusion of him constructed from misinterpretations and lies, but hiding behind it like a shield. However, his critics became aware of the lies and used them for their personal gain. Yeats then relieves himself of the stress of lying and feels free. One may take Yeats’ literal meaning in “coat” as a protective garment that stretched from “throat to heel”. This suggests that Yeats originally felt vulnerable and needed some comprehensive protection, covering his entire body. “Mythologies” are entities that are false, but believed by people as the truth, which brings in parallel with the lies that Yeats covers himself with. When he “let them have it”, he exercises power and control over “them” by giving them permission (inclusion of the word “let”), intimating some closure, as he no longer feels the need for protection.

b) The capitalisation “I MADE” may be an emphasis on Yeats’ opinion of himself, celebrating an achievement. This may be indicative of a narcissistic personality.

c) The Coat described in the poem by Yeats may be a literal coat covering his body.

1a) The poem itself is symbolic of his argument with the media and internal politics. Yeats was known for his political messages within his poems, but he stopped politicising them. As a result of this, he faced some pressure. His poetry was used a weapon against opposing political parties and movements, but his party members felt aggrieved that his poetry was less militant and more romanticised. Whilst Yeats may share some political sentiments with his party members, he verbally attacks them, calling them “fools” for misusing his poetry. Yeats feels angry that, not only is his poetry being stolen and misused, but he doesn’t get any credit for it either, “Wore it in the world’s eyes as if they’d wrought it” Yeats could arguably have narcissistic tendencies, owing to his discomfort with someone else getting the credit for his work.

1b) This may Yeats deploring materialistic attitudes and arguably, Capitalism. In making something, one contributes less to the economy and the enhancement of Capitalism. This links with him saying that it’s “more enterprising to walk naked”. This may be Yeats saying that he would rather work as an individual, instead of contributing to an economy that he doesn’t believe in. He uses the word “enterprising” ironically, given its association with business.

1c) The Coat may extend to being a coat of arms, such as those in Irish history.

2a) Yeats is historically known for being a symbolic poet and many of his poems use symbolic analogies that deviate from the literal message. ‘A Coat’ is arguably symbolic of the futility of war. There are clear military references throughout the poem. “A coat covered in embroideries” resembles a coat of arms, uniquely designed to represent a group or clan, and often worn on armour in the Dark Ages. Armour would typically cover “from throat to heel” for practical reasons. Yeats is arguing that the initial heraldry of coats of arms was corrupted through its use in violent acts (“the fools”). “Enterprise” can be considered ‘honour’ in this sense that Yeats only ever wanted coats of arms to represent beauty , but the inclusion of violence have stripped its beauty from it and prompted him to rather be without it and “walk naked”.

2b) Arguably, he capitalises “I MADE” to emphasise the English language. There are two syllable s, which gives the reader a thudding, primal tone. Perhaps this is Yeats putting his foot down and saying that he is deviating from old Irish culture and language and erring on the side of England.

2c) The Coat may be symbolic of Yeats’ need for protection from reality and the outside world.

3a) “A Coat” is Yeats remembering medieval history and almost mourning the passing of time and history. Again, the coat is symbolic of a coat of arms, but a coat of arms closely associated with the separatism of clans in Ireland. Myths are an indicator of history and time, and the reference to “heel” could be interpreted as Achilles’ Heel from Greek mythology. This was his weak spot, perhaps intimating that Yeats’ admiration of history was his weak spot and forced him to deviate from his usual political poetry.

3b) “I MADE” being capitalised may suggest that the reader should shout it, creating a tone for the poem. Perhaps Yeats’ tone is angry.

3c) The coat may be a history of Yeats’ family and life, much like a family coat of arms, but being symbolic of the history in that it is made up of mythologies, rather than it being symbolic of Irish clans.