The Collected Works in Verse and Prose of William Butler Yeats, Vol. 3 (of 8)the Countess Cathleen. the Land of Heart's Desire. the Unicorn from the Stars

''The Collected Works in Verse and Prose of William Butler Yeats, Vol. 3 (of 8)'' is a collection of plays and poems written in the early 20th century. This volume includes major works such as ''The Countess Cathleen,'' ''The Land of Heart's Desire,'' and ''The Unicorn from the Stars,'' showcasing Yeats's exploration of themes like love, sacrifice, and the interplay between the mundane and the mystical. The characters often navigate a world rich with Irish folklore, reflecting Yeats’s longing for a past that intertwines with the present. The opening of this volume begins with ''The Countess Cathleen,'' set in a war-torn Ireland where famine and despair reign. We are introduced to a peasant family—their concerns about the famine and strange happenings in the woods intertwine with the arrival of the titular Countess, who is portrayed as a figure of compassion and hope. As they converse, themes of sacrifice and the lurking presence of demons hint at the dark choices facing the characters amidst their plight. The blend of realism and mythical elements in the dialogue creates an atmosphere rife with tension, setting the stage for the unfolding drama of human desires against the backdrop of spiritual conflicts.