"beauty like a tightened bow"- comment on the image of this line.

This line is quoted from one of Yeats' most admired love poems, No Second Troy, published in Responsibilities and Other Poems (1916).

           Here 'beauty' suggests the beauty of Maud Gonne-a beauty comparable to Helen-the destructive Greek beauty. 'Tightened bow' suggests the strong conviction or certain sternness. The beauty of Maud Gonne is as stern as 'a tightened bow'.

           This line has several meanings - one, she is very controlled and has a lot of tension in her frame, or she is poised and ready to strike at her enemy. Actually this is the part of her personality because of her unrelenting struggle against the people in authority.