The Countess Cathleen

Name: The Countess Cathleen
Author: W. B. Yeats

By W. B. Yeats

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British Literature Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A famine-struck rural community confronts two mysterious merchants whose gold can purchase human souls. As desperation grows, ordinary people are tempted to sell away their eternal worth, and one noble woman voluntarily offers herself to spare her people. Scenes shift between intimate domestic interiors, spectral woodlands, and visionary spirits, blending ritual speech and symbolic stagecraft. The drama explores sacrificial love, moral compromise under material pressure, the clash of earthly hunger with spiritual values, and the mingling of folk belief and angelic imagery.

About the Author

W. B. Yeats

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A key figure in the Irish Literary Revival, Yeats's work often reflects his deep interest in mysticism, folklore, and the complexities of the human experience. His poetry is characterized by its lyrical beauty and philosophical depth, exploring themes of love, politics, and the passage of time. Notable works include "The Tower" and "The Second Coming," which showcase his innovative use of imagery and symbolism. Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923, cementing his legacy as a pivotal voice in modern poetry.