'The Wanderings of Oisin' Summary

The Wanderings of Oisin is a long narrative poem written by William Butler Yeats in 1889. It is based on the legend of Oisin, a warrior and poet from Irish mythology who is said to have been one of the greatest warriors of the Fianna, a group of legendary Irish heroes. According to the legend, Oisin was transported to the Otherworld, a mystical realm of immortality and beauty, where he encountered the fairy queen Niamh and fell in love with her.

In Yeats's poem, Oisin relates his experiences in the Otherworld to a Christian monk who is skeptical of his story. Oisin tells the monk about the wonders of the Otherworld, including the beauty of its landscapes and the kindness of its inhabitants. He also describes his encounter with Niamh and their journey together through the Otherworld.

Despite the beauty of the Otherworld, Oisin eventually grows homesick and longs to return to Ireland. When he finally does return, he finds that three centuries have passed and that the world he knew has changed beyond recognition. He is unable to adjust to the new world and spends the rest of his days wandering the countryside, longing for the beauty and simplicity of the Otherworld.