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Cover of The Land of Heart's Desire

The Land of Heart's Desire

Written by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats

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IrelandFairy plays

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About this book

"The Land of Heart's Desire" by W. B. Yeats is a play written in the early 20th century. This work is set in the Barony of Kilmacowen in County Sligo during the late 18th century and delves into themes of desire, the allure of the faery realm, and the tension between earthly responsibilities and enchanting dreams. The play captures the struggles of its characters as they navigate their desires for a more captivating life amid mundane realities. The storyline centers around Maire Bruin, who finds herself entranced by a mysterious old book and the idea of leaving her domestic life behind for a world filled with faeries and endless youth. As tensions rise between her earthly obligations and the seductive call of the faery world, Maire is faced with a choice between the stability of life with her husband, Shawn Bruin, and the enchanting but dangerous allure represented by a faery child. With the priest, Father Hart, cautioning against the temptations of the faery realm, the play ultimately explores the conflict between desire and duty, leading to tragic consequences for Maire when she succumbs to the call of the faeries, illustrating the age-old struggle between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Land of Heart's Desire, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • ethereal
  • melancholic
  • mysterious

W. B. Yeats's "The Land of Heart's Desire" is a one-act poetic play set in late 18th-century rural Ireland, exploring the profound tension between mundane reality and the enchanting call of the supernatural. It centers on Maire Bruin, a young bride captivated by faery lore and an old book, who yearns for a life of eternal youth and effortless joy beyond her domestic duties. The arrival of a mysterious faery child intensifies this conflict, forcing Maire to choose between the earthly love of her husband, Shawn, and the warnings of Father Hart, and the seductive, dangerous allure of the faery realm. Ultimately, Maire succumbs to the faeries' call, illustrating the tragic consequences of unchecked desire and the irresistible pull of escapist dreams over mortal obligations.

“The world is a weariness to the young.”

Key themes

Desire vs. Duty
This is the central conflict of the play, embodied by Maire Bruin. Her desire is for a life of eternal youth, joy, and freedom from the mundane, as promised by the faery world. Her duty lies with her husband, Shawn, and the responsibilities of marriage and domestic life. The play explores the intense psychological pull between personal yearning for an idealized existence and the obligations of reality, ultimately suggesting the tragic consequences of choosing unchecked desire over duty.
The Allure of the Otherworld/Escapism
The play vividly portrays the seductive power of a realm beyond human experience—the faery world—as an escape from the perceived harshness and limitations of mortal life. This 'otherworld' offers promises of eternal youth, joy, and freedom from sorrow, representing a potent form of escapism. Yeats explores how this allure can be so overwhelming that it leads individuals to abandon their earthly lives and loved ones, highlighting both its beauty and its danger.
The Conflict of Faith and Paganism
Yeats, a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival, often explored the tension between the dominant Christian faith and the ancient, pre-Christian pagan beliefs and folklore deeply embedded in Irish culture. In this play, Father Hart represents institutional Christianity, viewing the faery world as inherently evil and demonic. In contrast, Maire's attraction to the faeries symbolizes the enduring power of the older, mystical worldview. The play highlights the clash between these two spiritual paradigms and the difficulty of reconciling them.

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How does Yeats use the setting of a simple Irish cottage to heighten the dramatic tension between the mundane and the magical?

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