'Deep-Sworn Vow' Summary

The poem tells the story of a knight who is deeply in love with a woman named Aoife. He swears a vow of loyalty to her, but is then forced to break it due to a conflicting oath. The poem explores the consequences of his actions, as he experiences the pain of betrayal and the burden of a broken vow. The setting of the poem is evocative of ancient Irish folklore, with references to mystical creatures and magical landscapes. Through vivid imagery and symbolic language, Yeats examines the nature of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, ultimately suggesting that the truest form of love involves selflessness and the willingness to endure hardship for the sake of another. The poem also explores the cyclical nature of life and death, reflecting the inevitability of both.