The Conflict between Paganism and Christianity in Irish Theatre: A Cultural Study of O’Casey’s The Drums of Father Ned

Abstract

While Irish theatre assures that it reflects Irish reality and aims at building a national identity in which religion is a significant marker, the plays of O’Casey contradict with this tendency. This study aims at discussing the conflict between an anti- Christian and pagan beliefs and Christian values in favor of anti- Christianity over Christianity. In this article, the researcher takes O Casey’s The Drums of Father Ned as an example. The study discussed the tension between the pagan and Christian values as represented in the conflict between the pagan and religious characters, represented by Father Fillfogue who is the representative of Christianity; while The Celtic god Angus represents Pagan Celtic anti-Christian religion. Finally, the study proved that O Casey presented a skeptical attitude toward Christianity and favored pagan Irish local, regional beliefs.