The Works of Morris and Yeats in Relation to Early Saga Literature

Originally published in 1937, this book discusses the connections between saga literature and the works of William Morris and W. B. Yeats. The first section of the text concentrates on the links between Morris and the Norse sagas, whilst the second section has a broader focus, examining the relationship between Yeats, the Irish Movement and the Irish sagas. There is also an appendices section containing English translations of three Irish sagas. Concise yet highly detailed, this book will be of value to anyone with an interest in literary criticism and the abiding influence of saga literature.

Preface; 1. Introductory - Irish and Icelandic saga; 2. William Morris - the dreamer; 3. The dreamer in contact with Icelandic saga; 4. The Irish movement: i. The interest in the past - Moore, Martyn; ii. The poetry of Yeats; iii. The development of the romantic attitude to the past - Fiona Macleod, Lay Gregory, Synge; 5. The dreamer in contact with Irish saga: i. Yeats; ii. Versions of The Sons of Uisneach. The romantic attitude; iii. James Stephens - the corrective to the romantic attitude; 6. Conclusion; Appendices. Translations of three Irish sagas: Tochmarc Étaíne; Aislinge Œngusu; Echtra Nerai.