The Unicorn from the Stars and Other Plays

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26144

Title

The Unicorn from the Stars and Other Plays

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A collection of three distinct plays by W. B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, blending prose drama with Irish folklore, religious fervor, and political unrest. The volume explores themes of patriotism, spiritual trance, and the clash between rustic life and high art, offering a unique glimpse into the Irish Dramatic movement's early struggles and triumphs.

Summary up to 500 words

The volume *The Unicorn from the Stars and Other Plays* by W. B. Yeats and Lady Gregory presents a collection of dramatic works that explore the spiritual and political tensions of early 20th-century Ireland. The collection opens with *The Unicorn from the Stars*, a tale set in a coach-building workshop where Martin Hearne, a visionary nephew, descends into a spiritual trance after witnessing a golden coach destined for royalty. His obsession with a dream of gold drives him to join a rebellion against English rule, culminating in his death during a fiery attack on a barracks. The play juxtaposes the mundane reality of coach-building with the frenzied, prophetic visions of the Irish peasantry, highlighting the tension between practical labor and mystical destiny. Following this is *Cathleen ni Houlihan*, which presents a woman who embodies Ireland itself, urging young men to sacrifice their lives for the nation's freedom. The narrative then shifts to *The Hour-Glass*, a philosophical drama featuring a Wise Man whose faith erodes as he observes the decay of his world and the skepticism of his family. He faces an impending death marked by a running hour-glass, seeking truth in the face of doubt. A Fool and his children offer a counterpoint of simple faith, suggesting that truth emerges only when life's certainties are shattered. Together, these plays capture the spiritual intensity, political passion, and poetic depth of early 20th-century Ireland, blending the rough life of the road with the frenzy found in ancient poetry to create a prophecy of a time when art and reality might once again merge.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Drama
• Irish Literature