Irish Mythology as a Shaping Agent in the Construction of National Identity in W.B. Yeats’s Poetry

Mousumi Akter

Apr-May-Jun

Abstract
W.B. Yeats, a towering figure in 20th-century literature, harnessed the power of Irish mythology to forge a sense of national identity during a period of Irish resurgence. His poetry became a vessel for the suppressed stories and legends of Ireland, reviving a cultural heritage that had been overshadowed by British rule and religious doctrine. The aim of the study was to understand how Yeats incorporates mythological features to develop a cultural and political vision on Irish identity at a time of major change in Irish history. The present study utilized selected poems from Yeats’s later collections, specifically The Tower and The Winding Stair, as primary sources of data. Secondary data sources comprised scholarly articles, critical essays, and historical sources related to Irish mythology and nationalism. Through textual analysis, the study explored common mythological symbols, characters, and stories like Cuchulain and the Sidhe, as well as their symbolic function in conveying Yeats's constantly shifting nationalistic ideals. The study finds that Yeats uses mythology not only as a literary instrument but also as an instrument of cultural revival and political discourse. The results further show that Yeats’s mythopoeic vision plays a significant role in defining a differentiated Irish identity based on heritage and resistance. The study establishes the poet's role in linking myth with contemporary nationalist discourse, influencing both literary and national consciousness.

Keyword: Mythology, shaping agent, construction, national identity

Research Area: English Literature

Country: Bangladesh

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