THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE
About the Author: William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, and prose writer, widely
regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. He was a key figure in the Irish
Literary Revival and a co-founder of the Abbey Theatre. Yeats was deeply influenced by
Irish mythology and folklore, and his work often explores themes of mysticism, nationalism,
and the passage of time. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923.
Important Questions and Answers
1. Describe the setting of "The Lake Isle of Innisfree."
The setting of "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" is a peaceful, rural environment. The poet
envisions building a small cabin made of clay and wattles, surrounded by nature, with
bean rows and a bee-hive. The setting evokes a tranquil and serene atmosphere.
2. What does the poet mean by "peace comes dropping slow"?
By "peace comes dropping slow," the poet suggests that peace in Innisfree comes
gradually and gently, like the morning mist or the sound of a cricket. It indicates a
deep, enduring sense of calmness.
3. How does Yeats use imagery in the poem?
Yeats uses vivid imagery to create a sensory experience. Descriptions like "bee-loud
glade," "midnight’s all a glimmer “and” noon a purple glow" evoke sights and sounds
that emphasize the beauty and tranquillity of Innisfree.
4. What is the significance of the poet's repeated decision to "arise and go" to
Innisfree?
The repetition of "I will arise and go" underscores the poet's strong desire and
determination to escape the noise and stress of urban life and find solace in the natural
beauty and simplicity of Innisfree.
5. How does the poem reflect Yeats' personal feelings?
The poem reflects Yeats' longing for a simpler, more peaceful existence away from
the chaos of modern life. It reveals his deep connection to nature and a yearning for
solitude and introspection.
6. What role does the sound of the lake water play in the poem?
The sound of the lake water serves as a constant reminder of the poet's idealized
vision of Innisfree. Even when he is away, standing on "pavements grey," the sound
resonates in his "deep heart's core," symbolizing his inner peace and connection to
nature.
Short Questions and Answers
1. Who is the poet of "The Lake Isle of Innisfree"?
o William Butler Yeats.
2. What does the poet plan to build at Innisfree?
o A small cabin made of clay and wattles.
3. How many bean-rows does the poet plan to have?
o Nine bean-rows.
4. What kind of glow does noon have in the poem?
o Noon has a purple glow.
5. What sound does the poet hear day and night?
o The sound of lake water lapping by the shore.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Who wrote "The Lake Isle of Innisfree"?
o a) Robert Frost
o b) William Butler Yeats
o c) Emily Dickinson
o d) Walt Whitman
2. What does the poet plan to build at Innisfree?
o a) A mansion
o b) A castle
o c) A small cabin
o d) A treehouse
3. What material does the poet intend to use for building the cabin?
o a) Bricks and mortar
o b) Clay and wattles
o c) Wood and stone
o d) Metal and glass
4. How many bean-rows does the poet plan to have?
o a) Five
o b) Seven
o c) Nine
o d) Eleven
5. What will the poet have for the honey-bees?
o a) A garden
o b) A hive
o c) A flower bed
o d) A pond
6. Where will the poet live alone?
o a) In the mountains
o b) In the bee-loud glade
o c) By the seaside
o d) In the forest
7. What comes "dropping slow" according to the poet?
o a) Rain
o b) Peace
o c) Dew
o d) Light
8. What glimmers at midnight in the poem?
o a) Stars
o b) Fireflies
o c) The moon
o d) The lake
9. What kind of glow does noon have in the poem?
o a) Golden
o b) Purple
o c) Silver
o d) Blue
10. What fills the evening in the poem?
o a) Birdsong
o b) Silence
o c) Linnet’s wings
o d) The sound of crickets
11. What sound does the poet hear night and day?
o a) Birds chirping
o b) Wind blowing
o c) Lake water lapping
o d) Leaves rustling
12. Where does the poet hear the lake water lapping?
o a) On the roadway
o b) On the pavements grey
o c) In the deep heart’s core
o d) All of the above
13. What is the poet's primary reason for wanting to go to Innisfree?
o a) To find peace and solitude
o b) To meet friends
o c) To write a book
o d) To go on an adventure
14. How does the poet describe the mornings at Innisfree?
o a) Bright and sunny
o b) Cloudy and grey
o c) Veiled and peaceful
o d) Foggy and cold
15. What does the poet associate with the "deep heart's core"?
o a) The city noise
o b) The sound of lake water
o c) The chirping of birds
o d) The rustling of leave
Summary of "The Lake Isle of Innisfree"
"The Lake Isle of Innisfree" is a poem by William Butler Yeats in which the speaker
expresses a deep yearning to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and find peace and
solitude in nature. The poet envisions building a small, simple cabin on the idyllic Isle of
Innisfree, surrounded by the beauty of nature, with a garden of bean-rows and a hive for
honey-bees. In this tranquil setting, the poet imagines experiencing a profound sense of
peace, with the gentle sounds of the lake and the natural world creating a calming
atmosphere. Despite being physically in the city, the poet is emotionally drawn to Innisfree,
where he believes true contentment can be found.
