W. B. Yeats: On Baile's Strand, Pt. 2

W. B. Yeats: On Baile's Strand, Pt. 2

From Brendan Moir's Playwright Corner by Brendan Moir

April 18, 2026 · 20 min · Season 3 · Episode 24

About this episode

This episode explores the climax of W.B. Yeats' play 'On Baile's Strand' and its themes of duty and human nature.

This is the climax of the Myth of Cuchulainn as set out by W.B. Yeats. This play is juxtaposed between the frivolities and passionate natures of man with the ritual and order of its systems, and how one can not be beholden to both and still treat each side with the same worthiness upon the crossing of that threshold. The ideal of duty can drive a once powerful and spirited fighter to the ruin of himself and, more importantly, his legacy. "On Baile's Strand," is one of the best testaments to W.B. Yeats' understanding of human nature and larger than life pathos. Follow me on other platforms: https://bemuse.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/talentunlimited1/?hl=en https://open.spotify.com/artist/0wiNjFbd6rluEHZF4Qffcv https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070481824821&locale=hi_IN https://www.patreon.com/bemuse Website: https://bemusearts.com *This Season's Album Art by Illuvisual* William Butler Yeats (13 June 1865 – 28 January 1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist and writer, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival, and along with John Millington Synge and Lady Gregory, he founded the Abbey…

People in this episode

Host: Brendan Moir

Topics covered

  • Myth of Cuchulainn
  • human nature
  • duty
  • legacy
  • Irish literature

Keywords

  • Cuchulainn
  • Yeats
  • Irish literature
  • drama
  • human nature
  • duty
  • legacy

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: On Baile's Strand

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