Final answer:
Yeats' poetry is an example of the interplay between literature and history, contributing to the national discourse and influencing Irish independence aspirations through its engagement with historical and sociopolitical themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influence of William Butler Yeats' poetry on the desire for Irish independence is deeply rooted in the historical and sociopolitical context of Ireland. Yeats' works, notably 'Easter, 1916', reflect and engage with the Irish independence movement and the events of the Easter Rising, where Irish nationalists staged a rebellion against British rule. In this poem and others, Yeats uses symbolism and allusions to Irish leaders and the past, effectively contributing to the discourse on national identity and cultural heritage. This discourse was interconnected with broader movements in literature and the arts, such as Romanticism, which often emphasized nature, commonality, and a complex view of history and nationality.
The intertwining of history and literature demonstrates the potential of literary works to comment on, influence, and be influenced by the societal, political, and cultural conditions of the time. Yeats' poetry reflects this intertwining by contributing to the national discourse, which ultimately played a part in Ireland's quest for independence. Nationalism, often ignited by such literary contributions, has been observed in various regions and historical contexts as both a force for democratic independence and, at times, for promoting the idea of the superiority of one nation over others.