The Poetry of William Butler Yeats

One of the greatest poets of the century, the Noble Laureate William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) drew upon Irish folklore and myth as inspiration for much of his early poetry. Mythic themes as well as many other topics are masterfully explored in this rich selection of lyrics.

Yeats is truly the voice of old Ireland. His poetry is steeped in Irish myth and legend; his characters inhabit a world of magic, great beauty, and great sadness. This collection of 85 poems, including "The White Birds," "The Song of Wandering Aengus," and "To Ireland in the Coming Times," reflects Yeats's range of emotion--joy and regret, passion and lost love, dreams and dashed hopes. Beautifully read by an all-star cast, including Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Colm Meaney, and Minnie Driver, this collection is both an excellent introduction to Yeats's work and a treat for his longtime fans. (Running time: 1 hour, 1 cassette) --C.B. Delaney