Date of Award

Spring 5-18-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA English

Department

English

Advisor

Elizabeth Redwine, PhD

Advisor

Dermot Quinn, DPhil

Keywords

Seamus Heaney, Parrhesia, Irish Literature, Irish Poetry, Parrhesiastes, Criticism

Abstract

Critics Edna Longley and Ciaran Carson have examined the complicated relationship between Seamus Heaney's poetry and the Northern Irish conflict, arguing that, in general, he refrained from clear political commentary. Despite this, Seamus Heaney was a revolutionary poet celebrated for his vivid imagery and commentary on ordinary life in Northern Ireland. While these critics say he held back on stating his political opinion or mystified the violence, this paper argues that he was a parrhesiastes (one who speaks truth to the rest of society for the sake of truth itself) of his time, choosing to practice the ancient Greek idea of fearless speech rather than the modern Western understanding of freedom of speech. As such, Heaney was clear about his stance regarding the British presence in Ireland but presented his opinions in a way that left many dissatisfied with his portrayal. Particularly in his books of poetry Field Work, North, and Station Island; one can see Heaney’s attempt to wrestle with the reality he lived as a poet in a time of great uncertainty. In choosing to write as a parrhesiastes rather than a ‘freedom writer,’ Heaney speaks out against the interlocutor and solidifies his place as one of the greatest poets of the English language.

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