How have questions of nationalism within the Irish Remembrance culture changed over the century since the 1916 Easter Rising? A consideration of two theatrical depictions of Irish nationalism within Ireland's Remembrance Culture.

Abstract

This study critically assesses the depiction of Nationalism within Irish Theatre over the century following the 1916 Easter Rising and how that reflects on the Nationalism in Ireland's Remembrance culture with regard to this historic event. This investigation will be carried out through a means of qualitative research. This investigation will concern itself with analysing the progression of the Remembrance Culture and Theatre's influence and response to the culture, if any. It will use historical and academic writings, Irish literature, as well as media and Government Documents concerning the 2016 Centenary in order to achieve this. This dissertation will assess the depiction of Nationalism in two plays from the past century regarding the Easter Rising. The two plays and playwrights in question are Sean O'Casey's 'The Plough and the Stars' [1926] and Tom Murphy's 'The Patriot Game' [1991]. By analysing these plays and assessing the portrayal of Nationalism regarding the 1916 insurrection therein I intend to discover and identify what, if any, changes in attitude and depiction may have occurred and the potential reasons for such changes. It raises the question; can such depictions prove a potential resource for imagining a more positive shared future by providing a way of understanding the past which can free future generations from having to relive and repeat violence and division? This in-depth analysis of Irish Theatre's depiction of the Nationalism regarding the Easter Rising gains a deeper understanding to Ireland's Remembrance Culture but also highlights the political and challenging questions Irish Playwrights pose through their work and how they have tailored their questions to suit the needs of the society at that time.