This book investigates how the Celtic Revival in Ireland utilized Shakespearean texts to construct and define national identities, particularly through the lens of Anglo-Irish cultural politics. Adam Putz examines the works of prominent figures like Matthew Arnold, Edward Dowden, and W. B. Yeats, analyzing how their interpretations of Shakespeare were shaped by the prevailing political discourse. The study highlights the inherent instability in the binary oppositions these writers employed to frame their appropriations of Shakespeare. Ultimately, Putz turns to James Joyce to explore the detrimental impact of this discourse on the relationship between Irish people and Shakespeare during the Revival era, prompting a re-evaluation of literary inheritance and the concept of modernity.

The book is recognized for its in-depth analysis of the complex interplay between literary appropriation, national identity, and cultural politics in Ireland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is noted for its close readings of key figures and its re-examination of periodization and literary inheritance. The work's engagement with James Joyce offers a critical perspective on the broader implications of the Celtic Revival's engagement with Shakespeare. The study is positioned as a significant contribution to understanding the literary and political landscape of the era.