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Comparison of Cathleen Ni Houlihan and Translation

Both Cathleen Ni Houlihan and Translation are plays about Ireland’s extensive fight for

independence. However, when looking at style, setting and characters used in these plays,

various similarities as well as differences can be noted. In Yeats' play the "fighter" shall be

Michael, a simple farmer who symbolizes Ireland and is unaffected by materialism. In Brian

Friels' "Translations", the author believes that only the culturally advanced-middle class can help

to change and achieve independence (Harrington 116). Translation is a play that needs a lot on

audience part because they have to be aware of the multiple references, quotations and various

open enquiries that the author has included. The play takes us back to an important period of

Ireland and concentrates on the colonial interactions between England and Ireland. Considering

the historical facts, Friel appeals on Irish history as a source for his play (Friel 34). In the same

way, Cathleen Ni Houlihan is a play that is integrated with references, mythic figures and

misconceptions. Yeats believed that politics and arts were naturally connected thus that is the

reason why he used his play to express his altitudes towards Irish politics, as well as to enlighten

his audiences about Irish cultural history (Yeats 49).

Consequently, Yeats used his play as tool to mention on Irish politics and the home

statute movement and to enlighten people about Irish culture and history (Yeats 49). For

instance, he present Ireland as a female spirit, earliest and immense but also capable of
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converting herself into a majestic and beautiful young woman. On the other hand, in Translation,

language is a key marker of one’s personality; it discloses how far the people are cognizant of

their culture and history. In fact, Friel is cognizant of the divisions that operated inside the Irish

society and hence, he looks onward to having a cultural unity in an effort to accomplish the

national identity, which can be depicted as a cultural instead of a political unit. In this case, Friel

combines the personal experience with the national origin of Ireland in a symbolic way; hence,

there is a great concentration on the politics of language (Peacock 49). Generally, both Cathleen

Ni Houlihan and Translation promotes the idea of an independent Ireland and clearly describe

how it shall be achieved in various social classes that are involved.

Work cited
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Friel, Brian. Translations. New York: Faber and Faber, 2012. Internet resource.

Harrington, John P. Modern and Contemporary Irish Drama. New York: W.W. Norton, 2008.

Print.

Peacock, Alan J. The Achievement of Brian Friel. Gerrards Cross: Smythe, 1993. Print.

Yeats, W B. Cathleen Ni Houlihan. Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare Head Press, 1911.

Internet resource.