It is noticeable that the critics of William Butler Yeats has recently tried to elucidate the poet's aristocratic disposition in relation with his political identity. Some critics have disparaged Yeats' works of art in the light of his seeming conservative political position as an advocate of aristocracy. Other critics who disagreed with this excessive blame have insisted that Yeats' aristocratic disposition only shows his self-deceptive idealism. As the poet's inclination toward aristocracy seems to suggest his conservatism or elitism, it has hindered the critics from
understanding and appreciating his poetry wholeheartedly. In this paper I intend to examine the established points of the critics concerning Yeats' political identity and demonstrate that his inclination towards aristocracy could be understood as an attempt to cultivate united national identity among the Irish. Inflamed as the working condition of the artists in Dublin deteriorated and the social position of the Anglo-Irish Protestant fell in Irish society, the aristocratic disposition of Yeats ultimately contributed to contrive a poetic vision for national integration.
From the point of time when Yeats decided to pursue his own poetic principle, "Unity of Being," his vision of aristocracy assumed the mental and moral characteristic and became an ideal plan for achieving cultural nationalism among the Irish. Yeats' vision of aristocracy includes the ceremony of tradition and spiritual attitudes such as magnanimity and liberty which can be cultivated in the aristocratic society. According to the poet's vision, the ideal society consists of three major groups: the aristocrats who would lead an affluent life and support the artists, the
artists and scholars who would concentrate on creating great works, and the populace who would appreciate their arts without any prejudice. All member of these groups will form a horizontal solidarity based on shared culture, which will give each member of them joyful peace and affirmative ability to embrace life.

I. 예이츠의 귀족주의 비전: 역사적 위치
II. 예이츠의 귀족주의 비전과 문화적 민족주의의 실현
III. 결론
인용 문헌
Abstract

• 김선재(서울대) | Kim, Sun-jae