The Collected Works in Verse and Prose of William Butler Yeats, Vol. 3 (of 8) The Countess Cathleen. The Land of Heart's Desire. The Unicorn from the Stars

"The Collected Works in Verse and Prose of William Butler Yeats, Vol. 3 (of 8)" is a compilation of theatrical and poetic pieces from the turn of the century, prominently featuring "The Countess Cathleen," "The Land of Heart's Desire," and "The Unicorn from the Stars," highlighting Yeats’s fascination with affection, selflessness, and the connection between ordinary life and the supernatural. The players frequently traverse a landscape imbued with Irish mythology, mirroring Yeats’s yearning for ancient times that blur with the here and now. "The Countess Cathleen" starts this book in a war-ravaged Ireland consumed by hunger and hopelessness. The story introduces a farming family, their anxieties regarding the drought and eerie happenings clashing with the arrival of the Countess, who is characterized as a beacon of empathy and optimism. Their interplay reveals themes of devotion and the shadowy presence of devils, suggesting the grim decisions awaiting the figures amidst their predicament. The merging of truth and mythical aspects in the discussion creates an environment filled with suspense, paving the way for the expanding play of human cravings against the setting of spiritual battles.