W. B. (William Butler) Yeats
The Countess Cathleen
"The Countess Cathleen" by W. B. Yeats is a verse drama first published in 1892. Set during an Irish famine, the play tells the story of a noble countess who makes an extraordinary sacrifice to save her starving tenants from both hunger and spiritual damnation. Based on a purported Irish legend, Yeats's drama explores themes of selflessness and redemption. The work underwent extensive revisions over two decades, transforming from its original form into a refined piece suitable for the Abbey Theatre.