The main themes in Sailing to Byzantium is the contacts between Yeats' ageing body and youthful mind, and his desire to achieve a permanence not possible in reality. Yeats is seeking escape from the human body into the world of Byzantium which represents artistic magnificence and permanence, however by the end of the poem Yeats realizes that intellect is limited by the human condition.

In opening stanza of Sailing to Byzantium Yeats states, "This is no country for old men"(1), immediately presenting his preoccupation with old age. The stanza continues by painting a picture of teaming life, the would of youth, vitality, reproduction. However, Yeats quickly counters the images of life and vigor with the line, "Whatever is begotten, born, dies"(6). Suggesting that despite the happiness of youth, they are all condemned to die. He then goes on to say, "Caught in that sensual music all neglect -...