The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand

Name: The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand
Author: W. B. Yeats

By W. B. Yeats

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Mythology, Legends & Folklore Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

Two short stage pieces draw on Old Irish prose romances to contrast poetic and heroic worlds. The first centers on a celebrated poet who lies at a monarch’s doorstep in hunger after a public humiliation, generating a moral confrontation between artistic dignity and royal pride and framed by a prologue that reflects on storytelling. The second reimagines a legendary warrior episode in a ritualized great hall where fate, misrecognition, and mythic symbolism produce a somber, tragic encounter. Both plays blend lyrical language, formal staging, and folklore to examine honor, authority, and the human costs of rigid social order.

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.