Seamus Heaney’s Mythmaking

Seamus Heaney’s Mythmaking by Ian Hickey, published by Routledge in 2023, is a scholarly examination of Seamus Heaney’s poetic engagement with myth throughout his career, culminating in the posthumous publication of Aeneid Book VI. This edition, comprising 260 pages, delves into how Heaney constructs his unique mythic perspective through various mythic lenses, offering insights into his literary contributions.

Readers will find a collection of essays that explore the intricate relationship between Heaney’s poetry and myth, highlighting the evolution of his work from its inception to its later stages. The book engages with themes relevant to literary criticism and encompasses aspects of European poetry, particularly focusing on English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh influences. This comprehensive analysis invites readers to consider the depth of Heaney’s mythmaking and its significance within the broader context of poetry.