This accessible and thought-provoking Companion is designed to help students experience the pleasures and challenges offered by one of the twentieth century`s greatest poets. A team of international contributors examine Yeats`s poetry, drama and prose in their historical and national contexts. The essays explain and synthesise major aspects and themes of his life and work: his lifelong engagement with Ireland, his complicated relationship to the English literary tradition, his literary, social, and political criticism and the evolution of his complex spiritual and religious sense. First-time readers of Yeats as well as more advanced scholars will welcome this comprehensive account of Yeats`s career with its useful chronological outline and survey of the most important current trends in Yeats scholarship. Taken as a whole, this Companion comprises an essential introduction for students and teachers of Yeats.