Dichotomy in Seamus Heaney’s Poetry

Dichotomy in Seamus Heaney’s Poetry

How much does an artist’s life affect the art they produce? One’s art certainly can be an expression of one’s surroundings and in this manner the surroundings are woven like a thread into their body of work. Seamus Heaney, born and raised in Northern Ireland, has grown up with many strong influences in his life that are visible in his poetry. As Robert Buttel claims in his article on Seamus Heaney “the imprint of this poet’s origins is indelibly fixed in his work” (180). Living in the “bogland” as Heaney has described Northern Ireland left an imprint on his poems, as he often depicts the lush green countryside and pastoral scenes of his youth. However, he also acknowledges his modern society. His poems strike a balance between showing the land as it naturally is and acknowledging the influence of society pressing inwards. This certain “splitness” is a theme that carries throughout his life, and so is shown in his art. Living in Ulster, he was raised in a culture with a deep religious cleft in it. His poetry shows how keenly aware he is of the delicate intricacies formed between Catholic and Protestant Irish peoples. Similarly his language reflects “splitness.” His diction can be colloquial and open, full of throaty and blunt words and simple imagery, or it can become lofty, as he utilizes his command of the rich and complex English language. In his works he makes references both to old Irish stories and songs as well as quoting from classic works of literature. His poems alternate between an understated bitterness and anger, to celebration and praise of his friends, family and life. He moves easily from a foreboding, dark tone to words of courage and affirmation. Heaney has b...

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Works Cited

Andrews, Elmer. Seamus Heaney A Collection of Critical Essays. St. Martins Press, . . New York. 1992.

Bolton, Jonathan. “’Customary Rhythms’: Seamus Heaney and the Rite of Poetry.” . . Papers on Language and Literature, Spring 37:2 (2001): 205-214.

Buttel, Robert. “Seamus Heaney.” Dictionary of Literary Biography. Ed. Vincent B. . . Sherry, Jr. Gale Research Co.: Detroit, Michigan. 1998. 178-201.

Morrison, Blake. Seamus Heaney. Methuen & Co., New York, NY 1982.

Parker, Michael. Seamus Heaney: The Making of the Poet. University of Iowa Press, . Iowa City 1993.

Quinlan, Kieran. “Tracing Seamus Heaney.” World Literature Today, Winter 96:1 . . (1995): 63-74.

Vendler, Helen. Seamus Heaney. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. . 1998.