While the rest of the poem may be meant to obscure,phrases such as the "dark webs" caressing Leda's thighs and "her nape caught in her bill" reveal the true violence of her situation situation, not present in previous depictions of this scene. This is where we may find the vaguest glimpse of Yeats' true intentions. Where the myth itself and most of the art and literature created based upon it tended to focus on the beauty of this copulation, as if the two were young and tender lovers, Yeats instead sees the vile rape and molestation of an innocent and "helpless" girl. This deviation can only be deliberate -- but why?
Instead of the lover, Leda becomes the victim, and this is a position that is highly compromising to both Leda physically and to all women socially. However, she clearly does not ask nor want for this, based on the swan's attempt to hold her down by catching her hair and pressing done upon her chest. Eventually Leda seems to comply or accept the situation, but not eagerly. She is rendered powerless and complacent, either by sheer will or by forces greater than capable by a mortal. Although this seems superficially a poor choice on Yeats' part if he is indeed attempting to garner sympathy for women's struggles, but the complete reversal of the actual content coupled with the overall rape disturbing imagery of the piece does force the reader to sympathize with Leda, feeling her pain and confusion via Yeats' pain-riddled and confusing language.