Leda and the Swan

“Leda” by H.D. (1921)

Mythological themes were a popular source of inspiration for many Modernist poets, including Hilda Dolittle (1886-1961), an American poet who published her poems under her initials, H.D. In her poetry, H.D. often drew upon Greek myths just as Yeats did, and in this poem she also reimagines the encounter between Leda and Zeus.

“No Second Troy” by William Butler Yeats (1916)

“No Second Troy” is one of the many love poems inspired by Yeats’s unrequited passion for Maud Gonne and exemplifies how Yeats’s work frequently compared Gonne to Helen of Troy. The poem also speaks to his fascination with Greek mythology and the Trojan War more generally, which makes it an interesting companion piece to “Leda and the Swan.”

“The Tower” by William Butler Yeats (1928)

“The Tower” is the titular poem from one of Yeats’s most acclaimed poetry collections of his later years. In this lengthy and rich poem, Yeats reflects upon his mythological influences—including Helen of Troy and Greek civilization—and his own artistic and personal experiences. “The Tower” is an excellent example of Yeats’s masterful mature style while also exhibiting the continuity of some of his main thematic interests and influences.