• Yeats points to three different constructions of the world:

• Platonic forms: where nature is only a transient phenomenon.
• Aristotle: the philosopher of the natural world, his experiments grounded in scientific objectivity.
• Pythagoras: the philosopher of aesthetics, famous for establishing musical ratios and the ideal form of the golden triangle.

• These philosophers were preeminent in establishing the philosophy of thought, science and aesthetics. However, Yeats states that while their philosophical ideas might linger, even great luminaries grow old, become objects of ridicule and die. Describing them as old scarecrows, Yeats reflects upon their and his own impermanence.
• Another area for Yeats’ contemplation is the arts. Yeats was involved in all the arts: music, dance, theater, poetry, painting and sculpture. He considered them as one art, all attempting to find the perfect Pythagorean aesthetic ratios.
• The third area of Yeats’ reflection was his view of himself as a lover. Beset by love for one woman for many years, Yeats describes the intimate feeling when his beloved grants him a vision of the life that she led prior to their meeting.