Lasting Lines

Worksheet Description

This worksheet centers on the epitaph of the renowned poet William Butler Yeats, offering students an engaging glimpse into the personal choice of a literary figure regarding their final memorial words. It provides the epitaph that Yeats chose for his gravestone and encourages students to reflect on the meaning behind these words. The worksheet asks students to research the poem from which Yeats’ epitaph lines are drawn, deepening their understanding of the context and significance of the chosen lines. Students are prompted to consider what message Yeats intended to leave behind and how the full context of the poem might alter their interpretation of his epitaph.

The worksheet is crafted to teach students about the personal and literary significance of epitaphs, particularly in the context of a writer’s work and legacy. It engages students in critical thinking by having them analyze the excerpt of Yeats’ epitaph and encourages further investigation by connecting the epitaph to its original source, a poem. This exercise aims to enhance students’ analytical skills by exploring the broader meaning of poetic lines when isolated as an epitaph. Additionally, the worksheet prompts students to contemplate the impact of an author’s work on their remembrance and the messages they wish to convey beyond their lifetime.