The Poems of W.B. Yeats: Leda and the Swan

What does Leda symbolize?

What does Leda symbolize?

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I think Leda is full of sexual symbolism. Although it may not seem like it to readers unfamiliar with symbolic language, the poem is actually quite explicit in its description of a sexual assault. Because it is not intended to be pornographic or literal in any other senses, figurative language is adopted as substitutions for coarser language that would be more readily understandable. The reference to “tower” should be a familiar enough phallic symbol that it is probably the least likely to miss interpretation. The “broken wall” and the “burning roof” may be somewhat less obvious as metaphorical language for the vagina.