The Land of Heart's Desire: 'When but the moons of marriage dawn and die''

By W. B. Yeats

William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939) is best described as Ireland’s national poet in addition to being one of the major twentieth-century literary figures of the English tongue.

To many literary critics, Yeats represents the ‘Romantic poet of modernism,’ which is quite revealing about his extraordinary style that combines between the outward emphasis on the expression of emotions and the extensive use of symbolism, imagery and allusions.

Yeats also wrote prose and drama and established himself as the spokesman of the Irish cause. His fame was greatly boosted mainly after he received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923.

His life was marked by his many love stories, by his great interest in oriental mysticism and occultism as well as by political engagement since he served as an Irish senator for two terms.

Today, although William Butler Yeats’s contribution to literary modernism and to Irish nationalism remains incontestable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stage Door
• Release date: Jan 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781787803893

Book preview

The Land of Heart's Desire by W. B. Yeats

William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939) is best described as Ireland’s national poet in addition to being one of the major twentieth-century literary figures of the English tongue. To many literary critics, Yeats represents the ‘Romantic poet of modernism,’ which is quite revealing about his extraordinary style that combines between the outward emphasis on the expression of emotions and the extensive use of symbolism, imagery and allusions. Yeats also wrote prose and drama and established himself as the spokesman of the Irish cause. His fame was greatly boosted mainly after he received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. His life was marked by his many love stories, by his great interest in oriental mysticism and occultism as well as by political engagement since he served as an Irish senator for two terms. Today, although William Butler Yeats’s contribution to literary modernism and to Irish nationalism remains incontestable. 

Index of Contents

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

THE SCENE

NOTE

THE LAND OF HEART’S DESIRE

W. B. YEATS – A SHORT BIOGRAPHY

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

MAURTEEN BRUIN

BRIDGET BRUIN

SHAWN BRUIN

MARY BRUIN

FATHER HART

A FAERY CHILD

THE SCENE: In the Barony of Kilmacowen, in the County of Sligo, and at a remote time.

THE LAND OF HEART'S DESIRE

SCENE

A room with a hearth on the floor in the middle of a deep alcove to the Right. There are benches in the alcove and a table; and a crucifix on the wall. The alcove is full of a glow of light from the fire. There is an open door facing the audience to the Left, and to the left of this a bench. Through the door one can see the forest. It is night, but the moon or a late sunset glimmers through the trees and carries the eye far off into a vague, mysterious World.

MAURTEEN BRUIN, SHAWN BRUIN, and BRIDGET BRUIN sit in the alcove at the table or about the