As the Irish literary world moved into its renaissance, the classical form still existed but the play and fiction as an easily accessible form became heated by the most contemporary politics which resulted in a number of fervently politicized works, as well as comedic satirical representations. Prime examples might be found in the famous Lady Gregory’s work, in this instance particularly “The Only Son of Aoife”.

The dynamic “The Only Son of Aoife” is quite politically charged and presents a tragedy that on both a larger and smaller scale, identifies with the common Irish population. Considering this tale on its smallest scale, it is a representative of the state of the contemporary Irish family. The unintentional (?) loss of the honor and perhaps respect of the men of Ireland, and their infidelity are represented by Cuchulain’s actions in the beginning of the story.

Though Cuchulain is returning to Ireland, he is leaving the mother of his offspring and unborn son to fend for themselves away from him and his homeland. They have been left to the savage beast, while he has gone home to settle/battle, and quickly forgets the importance of kin and family- he marries another woman he “loves” and disregards his old family. Cuchulain’s actions are representative of his infidelity to the values of Ireland, and perhaps to Ireland herself (as Aoife might represent a piece of the country that has been left to the wilds) all of which are possibly the result of the bastardization of Irish values produced by English invasion and rule.

Through Cuchulain’s disloyalty, the mother of his child and her son are left to be corrupted by the outside world. They are left to the mercy of the English and the outside world, and to the horrors of possible poverty and instability. Though it is believed that Aoife was from Scotland, the idea that she has given birth to and Irishman demands a certain connection to the country that is not acknowledged at all by Cuchulain.

Eventually the lack of loyalty to his child leads to the death of said child because of the actions of its parents. Perhaps it was a matter of the aforementioned infidelity that led to the death, and/or the resulting corruption and hate festered because of Cuchulain’s actions that led entirely to the tragic ending. No matter what, it was the flight of Cuchulain from his responsibilities that led to such an emotional tale. At a time when Ireland was being forced to sacrifice itself for the outside world and fall apart from the inside, a serious tale such as this would be important and devastatingly representative of the plight of the country.