Leda and the Swan
...ably always will be the worst act of violence a being could execute. Continuing with the sonnet, Yeats emphasizes the cleanliness of Leda by stating she is "laid in that white rush," which symbolizes the purity of her being. William Yeats clearly proclaims the suspenseful terror Leda is experiencing, again alluring the reader. She has tried to fight the swan, but, the "loosening thighs" clearly states she has had to succumb to the "feathered glory." This rhetorical question of Leda escaping creates a somber mood with the reader. The phallic image of the "glory" emphasizes the importance or strength of Zeus, and how he is the god of all gods, which in turn also implies that he can therefore get away with anything. The placement of Leda in the rush and the swan now finished with his exploitation brings to attention of no contact, but in its stead, a connection always belonging to the swan and the girl. Same holds true for the violent crime of rape or loss of innocence in everyday life. Leda, because of a selfish act, will never be the same again. The double entendre is apparent in the last six lines of the poem. The "broken wall" refers to the fall of Troy as well as the 'breaking' of Leda. The poem becomes clearly, but briefly related with the Trojan War when Agamemnon's death is mentioned. The cause of this was indeed the birth of one of Leda's daughter's, Helen of Troy, who was the main reason for the war. The question which was asked by Yeats whether or not "she put ...