Contextual Considerations

Note: Click on the titles or pictures for more information about each of these sections.

As we are discussing the historical saint, and not the character in the play, he will be referred to as Columcille or St. Columcille.

The Enemy Within is not a historically accurate play. According to Tony Corbett, "A historical play is one from which a historical accuracy can be expected, although 'historical accuracy' as a term is itself somewhat of an oxymoron. From a history-play, one can expect artistic integrity" (34). Because the play was written at a point in history with an early Christian era setting, both of those contexts need to be considered in order to fully understand the play. The legend of the historical St. Columcille also needs consideration since it is based on the saint. This play was not written in a vacuum, therefore contexts outside the play itself need to be considered.

Written by: Ellen-Marie, Rachel Refshaw and Mai Vang

Connections to Modern Era

Friel was consistently concerned with Irish issues throughout his writing. Even though The Enemy Within was set pre-colonial, its themes connect back to the current issues surrounding Irish people. The Enemy Within indirectly addresses the war and political struggles of the modern era in Ireland and sends an anti-war message to the people involved.

Photo by Dawn Duncan

Context of the Time

In order to better understand why Brian Friel set The Enemy Within in a early Christian time period (587 CE), one has to understand the historical significance of what was going on during the era. Here, the reader will get brief background information of significant events that occurred during this time period.

Gartan Lough. Photo by Dawn Duncan

The Historical Saint Columcille

Saint Columcille is the name most frequently used for the saint, and will be used in this text. This name is used to show the distinction between the two Columbas. Columba of The Enemy Within is based on the historical Saint, therefore context about the saint is needed to fully understand the character of the play. St. Columcille was a very important man for Irish history, and the legend tells of a kind and generous Abbot willing to sacrifice his own self for the community.

Turas 5 at Columcille's birthplace above Lough Gartan. Photo by Dawn Duncan