William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was an instrumental figure in the "Irish Literary Revival" of the 20th Century that redefined Irish writing. It can be difficult to characterize Yeats. He was a complicated man whose work reflected the internal struggle he felt between art and life. In 1899 Yeats helped found the Irish National Theatre Society; which later became the famous Abbey Theatre of Dublin. "On Bailes Strand" was first performed here in 1904; as part of one of the inaugural productions. The short play is the earliest of five that Yeats wrote about the legendary Irish hero Cuchulain; a tale that dates from the ninth or tenth century. Cuchulain is being threatened by the Scottish warrior queen Aoife; who has sent her son to kill the hero. Cuchulain has sworn allegiance to King Conchubar; who orders the soldier to fight the Scottish foe. This short but deeply moving drama ends tragically; making it one of the saddest works in Irish literature.
#3931253 in eBooks 2011-04-26 2011-04-26File Name: B005WUDKXC
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