An Analysis Of Sean O 'Casey's Play The Plough And The Stars'

Set in the Easter Rising, Sean O’Casey’s play, The Plough and the Stars, utilizes its setting to discuss the consequences of war and the idea of making a blood sacrifice for Irish independence. Prior its inception, Irish nationalist theatre consisted of works such as Cathleen Ni Houlihan by William Butler Yeats, which evokes a mythological sense of nationalist pride as it uses the figure of Sean-Bhean Bhocht, Poor Old Woman, who needs a young man to help her remove the invaders from her home, ending with the self-sacrifice of the young man for Irish independence and the rejuvenation of Sean-Bhean Bhocht into young woman with the “walk of a queen.” Contrary to Cathleen Ni Houlihan, The Plough and the Stars, uses the theme of blood sacrifice to discuss the ramifications of the glorification of war, especially for those who do not make the decision to fight. …show more content…
Echoing Michael’s actions in Cathleen Ni Houlihan, Clitheroe sets out to war on a mission that the audience knows will fail, but unlike Cathleen Ni Houlihan, The Plough and the Stars uses other characters perspective to address the absence of heroism in his actions, especially when the audience takes into account the very reason for which he joins the Easter Rising. Making no move to join the Rising until word reaches him that he is to command a battalion, he does not as any details of his mission, focusing solely on his promotion he only asks, “Why does General Connolly call me Commandant?”