Deirdre of the Sorrows facts for kids

Deirdre of the Sorrows is a play from 1909. It was written by an Irish writer named John Millington Synge. The play tells a story from Irish mythology. It is about three main characters: Deirdre, Naoise, and Conchobar. Synge died before he could finish it. W. B. Yeats and Synge's fiancée, Molly Allgood, finished the play. It was first shown at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin on January 13, 1910. Molly Allgood played Deirdre.

Meet the Characters

• Deirdre: A very beautiful young woman. A prophecy says she will bring trouble.
• Conchubor: The old High King of Ulster. He wants to marry Deirdre.
• Naoise: A brave young man. He falls in love with Deirdre.
• Lavarcham: Deirdre's nurse and guardian. She cares for Deirdre.
• Fergus: A friend of King Conchubor.
• Ainnle: Naoise's brother.
• Ardan: Naoise's other brother.
• Owen: A spy working for Conchubor.
• Old Woman: A servant to Lavarcham.

What Happens in the Play?

Act One: A Secret Plan

The play starts at Lavarcham's house. King Conchubor, who is getting old, has asked Lavarcham to raise Deirdre. He wants Deirdre to be his queen when she grows up. Lavarcham finds that Deirdre is now a beautiful but strong-willed young woman. Deirdre does not want to marry an old man.

Conchubor comes to take Deirdre to his palace, Emain Macha. Deirdre begs him to let her stay in the countryside for another year. He does not listen and leaves. After he goes, Naoise and his brothers, Ainnle and Ardan, arrive. Deirdre tells them about the king's plan.

Deirdre knows about an old prophecy. It says she will cause the downfall of Naoise and his brothers. Still, she asks Naoise to take her away from Ulster. He agrees, and Ainnle quickly marries them.

Act Two: Life in Exile

Deirdre and Naoise, along with his brothers, have lived happily for seven years. They are on a faraway island called Alban. Fergus arrives with a message from King Conchubor. The king offers peace and asks them to return to Emain Macha.

Lavarcham warns Deirdre not to trust the king. Owen, a spy for Conchubor, also tries to scare Deirdre. He hints that Naoise will die if they go back to Ulster. Naoise tells Fergus he wants to stay in Alban forever with Deirdre.

But Deirdre convinces him to accept Conchubor's offer. She believes it is better to die young, while their love is strong, than to grow old and lose their happiness.

Act Three: A Tragic Return

Lavarcham arrives at Conchubor's tent. She tries to make him give up on Deirdre. Lavarcham lies, saying Deirdre has grown old and lost her beauty. But the king's soldiers arrive and say Lavarcham is wrong. Conchubor leaves just before Deirdre and Naoise enter.

Deirdre and Naoise talk about the chance of their deaths. Then, Conchubor returns. Deirdre almost convinces him to forget their past problems and let them live in peace. But then, they hear the sounds of a battle. Conchubor's men are fighting Naoise's brothers.

Conchubor and Naoise go to join the fight. Naoise is killed. Fergus and his men arrive, very angry about the king's betrayal. They set Emain Macha on fire. Lavarcham tries to get Deirdre to leave Ulster. Conchubor tries to take her to another castle. But Deirdre stays. She mourns her dead lover and his brothers. In the end, Deirdre takes Naoise's dagger. She stabs herself and falls into his open grave. Conchubor is left with nothing.

Music Inspired by Deirdre

The story of Deirdre was very popular with composers in the early 1900s. Many of them created music based on Deirdre of the Sorrows.

Michele Esposito wrote a cantata called Deirdre in 1902. A cantata is a piece of music for singers and an orchestra. Arnold Bax also started an opera about Deirdre, but he never finished it.

Many composers turned the story into an opera. An opera is a play where the words are sung. These composers included Fritz Hart, Geoffrey Molyneux Palmer, Cecil Gray, Havergal Brian, Healey Willan, and Karl Rankl. Fritz Hart wrote two operas about Deirdre. Healey Willan's opera was first for Canadian Radio in 1945. Karl Rankl's opera was finished in 1951.

Other operas on the same theme include Dierdane by Marguerite Béclard d'Harcourt and Deirdre of the Sorrows by John J. Becker.

Besides operas, other musical works were created. Eric Sweeney, Andrew Ford, James MacMillan, Patrick Cassidy, and Bernard van Beurden all wrote pieces called Deirdre or Deirdre of the Sorrows.

There were also orchestral pieces. An orchestra is a large group of musicians playing instruments. Edric Cundell wrote The Tragedy of Deirdre. Rutland Boughton composed Deirdre: A Celtic Symphony.