Poems

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

38877

Title

Poems

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

W. B. Yeats presents a collection of his major dramatic and lyric works, including the plays *The Countess Cathleen* and *The Land of Heart's Desire*, alongside iconic poems like *The Wanderings of Oisin* and *The Rose*. This volume captures the poet's evolution from early mythological fantasies to mature dramatic verse, blending Irish folklore, Celtic legend, and profound meditations on love, death, and the soul's journey. Yeats revises these pieces for the Abbey Theatre, offering readers a definitive look at his...

Summary up to 500 words

W. B. Yeats' *Poems* is a substantial collection gathering his most significant dramatic and lyrical compositions, revised specifically for performance at the Abbey Theatre and publication. The volume opens with Yeats' preface, where he explains his revisions to *The Countess Cathleen* and *The Land of Heart's Desire*. He notes that his early plays relied heavily on stage pictures rather than actor interpretation, a technique he refined after years of practical experience. The dramatic works explore deep mythological themes, challenging conventional notions of patriotism and religious dogma. In *The Countess Cathleen*, a noblewoman sells her soul to demons to save her starving neighbors; her act of charity elevates her beyond damnation, a conclusion that sparked controversy regarding blasphemy and Irish identity. Similarly, *The Land of Heart's Desire* follows a young man who leaves his home for a magical land, only to discover that true fulfillment lies in the simple, earthly life he abandoned. The lyric section features the famous *The Rose of the World*, a meditation on beauty's transience, and *The Wanderings of Oisin*, a dialogue between St. Patrick and the legendary warrior Oisin, who returns from the fairy isles to find Ireland changed. Other notable pieces include *The Madness of King Goll*, depicting a king's descent into madness amidst war and nature, and *The Stolen Child*, an invitation to a human child to flee the weeping world for the faery realm. The collection also includes *The Ballad of Father O'Hart*, a poignant tale of a priest saving souls during penal times, and *The Meditation of the Old Fisherman*, reflecting on the passage of time and lost youth. Through these works, Yeats weaves a tapestry of Irish history, mythology, and personal philosophy, creating a timeless exploration of the human condition that balances the supernatural with the stark realities of mortality and love.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• Drama
• Poetry