Question

What does the moon in william yeats poem the cat and the moon symbolize

Answer 1

Answer: Gonne and menstrual cycle.

Explanation: The Cat and the Moon is, on the surface, about a cat trying to catch the moon. It’s been suggested that the cat in the poem was based on either Maud Gonne’s cat (the muse and love of Yeats), or his friend, Lady Gregory’s. However, it’s also about a dance between lovers (the cat here represents Yeats, while the moon would be Maud Gonne).

Moon is also linked to female/menstrual cycle .

Answer 2

In William Yeats poem, The Cat and The Moon, the moon here symbolizes Gonne. Yeats representing the Moon it can also be argued that Minnaloushe represents Yeats due to Yeats wanting to belong to Gonne. The Moon throughout the poem is a traditional symbol for women, the phases of the moon have long been associated with the menstrual cycle. Hope this answers your question.