Deirdre

is a one act play by W.B. Yeats, published in 1907.

Plot

Deirdre has fled from king Conchubar, to whom she was promised, in order to live with the warrior Naoise. After seven years of an isolated life togehter, Naoise and Deirdre receive the message that the king has forgiven them and wants to reconcile. However, when Deirdre and Naoise return to the kingdom, it soon turns out that Conchubar's forgiveness was just a false pretence. Conchubar wants to meet Deirdre in private and has Naoise caught and assassinated. The king tries to woo Deirdre and make her his wife. Deirdre however chooses suicide and daggers herself on top of her beloved Naoise.

Deirdre as a typical one act play

Deirdre has no changes of time and place. There is no exposition. Further the play evolves around one existancial moment. The characters are all stock characters.

Deirdre as a national symbol

Deirdre is originally a figure of Irish mythology. Here she becomes a symbol of hope for the freedom of Ireland.