Traditional Characters of Irish and Welsh Folklore

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Traditional Characters of Irish and Welsh Folklore Podolskaya Anastasia Piliptsova Valeria Group 231 Welsh mythology consists of both folk traditions developed in Wales, and traditions developed by the Celtic Britons, elsewhere before the end of the first millennium. Like most predominately oral societies found in the prehistoric Britain, Welsh mythology and history was recorded orally by specialists such as druids. Adar Llwch Gwin According to Welsh Traditions, the Adar Llwch Gwin were giant birds, similar in kind to the griffin. These birds were said to understand human speech and to obey whatever command was given to them by their master. Afanc The Afanc is a lake monster from Welsh Folklore.. Its exact description varies; it is described variously as resembling a crocodile, beaver or dwarf-like creature, and is sometimes said to be a demon. The lake in which it dwells also varies. Morgen Morgens, morgans, or mari- morgans are Welsh and Breton water spirits that drown men. They may lure men to their death by their own sylphic beauty, or with glimpses of underwater gardens with buildings of gold or crystal. They are also blamed for heavy flooding that destroys crops or villages. Irish folklore consists of many classics that are repeated to this day. Popular Irish folkltales include the Otherworld , which revolves around the idea of supernatural manifestations and beings. These beings appear in many of the folkloristic genres such as ballads, popular song, legends, memorates, belief statements and folkloric material. Aengus In Irish folklore, Aengus is a member of the Tuatha De Danann and probably a god of love, youth and poetic inspiration. He is traditionally described as having singing birds circling his head. Lugh Lugh or Lug is an important god of Irish Folklore. Lugh is portrayed as a youthful warrior hero, a king and saviour. He is associated with skill, crafts and the arts, as well as with oaths, truth and the law – and therefore with rightful kingship.[.

Copy Link

Recommended publications

The Aeneid with Rabbits
The Aeneid with Rabbits: Children's Fantasy as Modern Epic by Hannah Parry A thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Victoria University of Wellington 2016 Acknowledgements Sincere thanks are owed to Geoff Miles and Harry Ricketts, for their insightful supervision of this thesis. Thanks to Geoff also for his previous supervision of my MA thesis and of the 489 Research Paper which began my academic interest in tracking modern fantasy back to classical epic. He must be thoroughly sick of reading drafts of my writing by now, but has never once showed it, and has always been helpful, enthusiastic and kind. For talking to me about Tolkien, Old English and Old Norse, lending me a whole box of books, and inviting me to spend countless Wednesday evenings at their house with the Norse Reading Group, I would like to thank Christine Franzen and Robert Easting. I'd also like to thank the English department staff and postgraduates of Victoria University of Wellington, for their interest and support throughout, and for being some of the nicest people it has been my privilege to meet. Victoria University of Wellington provided financial support for this thesis through the Victoria University Doctoral Scholarship, for which I am very grateful. For access to letters, notebooks and manuscripts pertaining to Rosemary Sutcliff, Philip Pullman, and C.S. Lewis, I would like to thank the Seven Stories National Centre for Children's Books in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Oxford University. Finally, thanks to my parents, William and Lynette Parry, for fostering my love of books, and to my sister, Sarah Parry, for her patience, intelligence, insight, and many terrific conversations about all things literary and fantastical.
[Show full text]
The Significant Other: a Literary History of Elves
1616796596 The Significant Other: a Literary History of Elves By Jenni Bergman Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Cardiff School of English, Communication and Philosophy Cardiff University 2011 UMI Number: U516593 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U516593 Published by ProQuest LLC 2013. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 DECLARATION This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not concurrently submitted on candidature for any degree. Signed .(candidate) Date. STATEMENT 1 This thesis is being submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of PhD. (candidate) Date. STATEMENT 2 This thesis is the result of my own independent work/investigation, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by explicit references. Signed. (candidate) Date. 3/A W/ STATEMENT 3 I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed (candidate) Date. STATEMENT 4 - BAR ON ACCESS APPROVED I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loan after expiry of a bar on accessapproved bv the Graduate Development Committee.
[Show full text]
FOLK-LORE and FOLK-STORIES of WALES the HISTORY of PEMBROKESHIRE by the Rev
i G-R so I FOLK-LORE AND FOLK-STORIES OF WALES THE HISTORY OF PEMBROKESHIRE By the Rev. JAMES PHILLIPS Demy 8vo», Cloth Gilt, Z2l6 net {by post i2(ii), Pembrokeshire, compared with some of the counties of Wales, has been fortunate in having a very considerable published literature, but as yet no history in moderate compass at a popular price has been issued. The present work will supply the need that has long been felt. WEST IRISH FOLK- TALES S> ROMANCES COLLECTED AND TRANSLATED, WITH AN INTRODUCTION By WILLIAM LARMINIE Crown 8vo., Roxburgh Gilt, lojC net (by post 10(1j). Cloth Gilt,3l6 net {by posi 3lio% In this work the tales were all written down in Irish, word for word, from the dictation of the narrators, whose name^ and localities are in every case given. The translation is closely literal. It is hoped' it will satisfy the most rigid requirements of the scientific Folk-lorist. INDIAN FOLK-TALES BEING SIDELIGHTS ON VILLAGE LIFE IN BILASPORE, CENTRAL PROVINCES By E. M. GORDON Second Edition, rez'ised. Cloth, 1/6 net (by post 1/9). " The Literary World says : A valuable contribution to Indian folk-lore. The volume is full of folk-lore and quaint and curious knowledge, and there is not a superfluous word in it." THE ANTIQUARY AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF THE PAST Edited by G. L. APPERSON, I.S.O. Price 6d, Monthly. 6/- per annum postfree, specimen copy sent post free, td. London : Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.C. FOLK-LORE AND FOLK- STORIES OF WALES BY MARIE TREVELYAN Author of "Glimpses of Welsh Life and Character," " From Snowdon to the Sea," " The Land of Arthur," *' Britain's Greatness Foretold," &c.
[Show full text]
John Cowper Powys's Porius: a Reader's Companion
John Cowper Powys: Porius A Reader’s Companion Updated and Expanded Edition W. J. Keith April 2009 “Reader’s Companions” by Prof. W.J. Keith to other Powys works are available at: https://www.powys-society.org/Articles.html Preface The aim of this “Companion” is to provide background information that will enrich a reading of Powys’s novel/romance. It glosses Welsh, classical, biblical, and other allusions, identifies quotations, explains geographical and historical references, and offers any commentary that may throw light on the more complex aspects of the text. (When a quotation is involved, the passage is listed under the first word even if it is “a” or “the.”) It was first made available on the Internet and in booklet form in 2004, and has subsequently been updated and revised from time to time. The present version has been thoroughly reset and expanded. Numerous errors discovered in the intervening years have been corrected. All page-references are to Judith Bond and Morine Krissdóttir’s edition published by Overlook Duckworth in 2007, with those to Wilbur T. Albrecht’s 1994 edition from Colgate University Press following in square brackets. Since the latter contained many errors and inconsistencies, the words listed often appear there in somewhat different form. Moreover, because the editions are based on different copy-texts, some references appear only in one of the editions; when those occurring in only one version require separate annotation, they have been identified and glossed. References to other JCP books published during his lifetime will be either to the first editions or to reprints that reproduce the original pagination, with the following exceptions: Wolf Solent (London: Macdonald, 1961), Weymouth Sands (London: Macdonald, 1963), Maiden Castle (ed.
[Show full text]
The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales Pdf, Epub, Ebook
THE MABINOGI AND OTHER MEDIEVAL WELSH TALES PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Patrick K. Ford | 224 pages | 24 Feb 2008 | University of California Press | 9780520253964 | English | Berkerley, United States The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales PDF Book Taliesin was brought into close connection to Arthur in the poems of Charles Williams, greatly admired by C. The only indication for the audience that the Otherworld is at hand is the color of the other hunter's hounds, for red and white are the colors of animals of the Otherworld in Celtic tradition. Feb 10, Joseph F. From "Culhwch and Olwen" How Culhwch got his name, which means swine or pig: "Cilydd son of Celyddon Wledig desired a woman as well-born as himself. It would have been far better, in my opinion, for Mr. I am re-reading this as it shows an oral tradition morphing into literature, with tales "branching" of in related episodes, the Four Branches of the Mabinogi. In the first thoroughly revised edition and translation of this world classic since Lady Charlotte Guest's famous Mabinogion went out of print, Mr. Because of that she was called Olwen White-track. Meanwhile, Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, came to his realm and country. They are so powerful that they created a woman from flowers to give to Lleu after his mother cursed him to never take a wife among mortal women. As he was feeding the dogs, he saw a horseman coming up behind the pack on a large dapple-gray horse, a hunting horn about his neck, wearing a pale grey garment for hunting gear.
[Show full text]
Chapter on History of the Otherworld
PERCEPTIONS OF ANNWN: THE OTHERWORLD IN THE FOUR BRANCHES OF THE MABINOGI Rhian Rees MA Celtic Studies Dissertation Department of Welsh and Bilingual Studies Supervisor: Dr Jane Cartwright University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter 2012 2 ABSTRACT There is little description or positive information about the realm of Annwn in the Four Branches, and relatively few publications have explored the Otherworld in the Mabinogi in any depth. The redactor presumably did not deem such detail necessary since in his time the Otherworld was a place familiar to his audience from many other stories and folk-tales which have not survived to inform our own times. The objective of this thesis, therefore, is to establish the perceived location of the Celtic Otherworld, its nature and topography, and to obtain descriptions of its people, buildings and animals and any distinctive objects or characteristics pertaining to it. The ways in which Annwn influences each of the Four Branches are also considered. Some sketchy evidence is available in Welsh poetry, mostly various descriptive names reflecting different aspects of Annwn, but for more detailed information it is necessary to trawl the waters of early Irish literature. The Irish poems and stories give much fuller particulars of all characteristics of the Celtic Otherworld, though they do suggest that there was more than one such other world. Some parallels from Norse literature and the Lais of Marie de France also reinforce certain themes of this thesis, such as magical tumuli and magical bags and
[Show full text]
Treasury of Druidic Triads
A Treasury of Druidic Triads A Treasury of Druidic Triads: By Dave Corrin ©Dave Corrin and The Druid 3x3, 2010 Edited and produced by Geoff Boswell for The Druid Network, 2010 1 A Treasury of Druidic Triads Dedication: This Lesson on the Sacred Triads was written in dedication to The Druid Network‟s Bobcat (Emma Restall Orr) who is: Peaceful, Knowledgeable, and Wise. Introduction: It is said “Concerning three things that hide: an open bag hides nothing, an open door hides little, and an open person hides something”. This is a triad of course, a Welsh one I believe. This lesson by The Druid 3X3 is lovingly crafted to explore the history of triads, their range of erudition, and more importantly, the lessons they hold for us in modern society. To that end, in expressing his passion so effectively, the author is indeed exposed as an open person who does not hide his love of triads and of the wisdom, strength and understanding they have afforded him. As a glimpse into the world of triads and their uses, this is indeed an open door, and whilst not pretending to be exhaustive, hides little in the way of being a footstep that we can follow if we wish to share in the depth of human expression that they convey. This open bag then hides nothing but carries much. From the authors own insights and interpretations, to creative use of modern triads, into the range of sources and resources we can delve into if we wish to know more, this bag carries us on.
[Show full text]
Rewriting a Mythic Nation: Welsh Women Writers Recovering Welsh Myth and Folklore
REWRITING A MYTHIC NATION: WELSH WOMEN WRITERS RECOVERING WELSH MYTH AND FOLKLORE BETHAN LOUISE COOMBS A submission presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy September 2015 ABSTRACT This thesis examines the function of Welsh mythology, fairy tale and folklore in a selection of works by twentieth- and twenty-first-century Anglophone Welsh women writers who choose to engage with such source material. Its aim is to provide a critical response to those recoveries through feminist and postcolonial theoretical readings. Spanning a century, between 1914 and 2013, its chapters discuss novels by two canonical Welsh writers – Hilda Vaughan, whose work belongs to the first half of the twentieth century, and Alice Thomas Ellis, writing in the second half – followed by two further chapters analysing relevant material drawn from the short story and poetry genres. The final two chapters interrogate novellas by women contributors to Seren Press’s recent series, New Stories from The Mabinogion (2009 – 2013) and thus provide an inaugural critical response to that series: I examine contributions by Gwyneth Lewis, Fflur Dafydd, Trezza Azzopardi, and Tishani Doshi. Throughout this thesis I argue that in the act of recovering and retelling the source narratives, these writers both draw out issues of gender and nationhood embedded in the originals and explore contemporary issues of gender and nationhood emerging from within their socio-historic contexts. When Welsh women writers select Welsh myth, fairy tales and folklore as mediums through which to comment on those issues as paradigms of gender and nationhood, those paradigms are doubly interrogated.
[Show full text]
The Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi: Structural Analysis Illuminates Character Motivation
Volume 19 Number 4 Article 6 Fall 10-15-1993 The Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi: Structural Analysis Illuminates Character Motivation Corinne Larsen Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore Part of the Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons Recommended Citation Larsen, Corinne (1993) "The Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi: Structural Analysis Illuminates Character Motivation," Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: Vol. 19 : No. 4 , Article 6. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol19/iss4/6 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Mythopoeic Society at SWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature by an authorized editor of SWOSU Digital Commons. An ADA compliant document is available upon request. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To join the Mythopoeic Society go to: http://www.mythsoc.org/join.htm Mythcon 51: A VIRTUAL “HALFLING” MYTHCON July 31 - August 1, 2021 (Saturday and Sunday) http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-51.htm Mythcon 52: The Mythic, the Fantastic, and the Alien Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 29 - August 1, 2022 http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-52.htm Abstract Uses structural analysis (from Levi-Strauss) of the Fourth Branch (the story of Lleu and Gwydion) to discover information about character motivations. Attempts to answer the apparent riddle of why Lleu sets up his own death. Additional Keywords The Mabinogion; Structural analysis (method of Claude Levi-Strauss) This article is available in Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R.
[Show full text]
Willing Self-Sacrifice As an Embodiment of Free Will
ALTERING THE PATTERN: WILLING SELF-SACRIFICE AS AN EMBODIMENT OF FREE WILL IN GUY GAVRIEL KAY’S THE FIONAVAR TAPESTRY A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts in English University of Regina By Samantha Storey Regina, Saskatchewan July, 2015 Copyright: S. Storey 2015 UNIVERSITY OF REGINA FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH SUPERVISORY AND EXAMINING COMMITTEE Samantha Storey, candidate for the degree of Master of Arts in English, has presented a thesis titled, Altering the Pattern: Willing Self-Sacrifice as an Embodiment of Free Will in Guy Gavriel Kay’s The Fionavar Tapestry, in an oral examination held on July 3, 2015 The following committee members have found the thesis acceptable in form and content, and that the candidate demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of the subject material. External Examiner: *Dr. Dena Taylor, University of Toronto Supervisor: *Dr. Nicholas Ruddick, Department of English Committee Member: Dr. Susan Johnston, Department of English Committee Member: Dr. Jes Battis, Department of English Chair of Defense: Dr. Ruth Chambers, Department of Visual Arts *Participated via SKYPE i Abstract This study analyzes the role of willing self-sacrifice in Guy Gavriel Kay’s trilogy The Fionavar Tapestry. I begin by detailing anthropological studies about sacrifice which provide the critical framework for this thesis. I contrast Kay’s trilogy with J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy and claim that they have fundamentally different worldviews. Tolkien’s worldview is primarily providential where every act of free will only reinforces the plan.
[Show full text]
The Daughters of Modron: Evangeline Walton's Feminist Re-Visioning Of
The Daughters of Modron: Evangeline Walton’s Feminist Re-visioning of the Mabinogi Nicole A. Thomas February 2013 Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of PhD in English Literature i Summary The Mabinogi Tetralogy by Evangeline Walton consists of four novels: Prince of Annwn (1974), The Children of Llyr (1971), The Song of Rhiannon (1972) and The Island of the Mighty (1970, first published under the title The Virgin and the Swine, 1936). This thesis locates the Tetralogy as a founding text of modern feminist fantasy fiction by analysing its rewriting of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi. The analysis demonstrates how feminist debate, Welsh medieval literature and Celtic history combine to produce an important, if hitherto largely ignored, contribution to both fantasy fiction and women’s writing. Walton re-visions the Mabinogi as a tale of a fictional Celtic Wales’s transition from a mother-worshipping tribal society to the patriarchal, monotheistic power structure that governed the construction of the medieval text. The fantasy genre which Walton helped form enables the author to use magic as a symbol of female agency. The female characters in The Mabinogion Tetralogy with the strongest connection with the fictional deity referred to as the Mother – Rhiannon and Arianrhod – also have the highest degree of magical capabilities. Conversely, those who lose their connection with the Mother – Branwen, Penardim and Blodeuwedd – become subject to the control of their male counterparts. A feminist reading of the Tetralogy, which draws upon the work of Luce Irigaray, reveals Walton’s series as a story about the cultural demise of Mother-worship and the institutionalisation of a patriarchal society that permanently re-defined gender roles.
[Show full text]
Christian Influences on the Mabinogi
The Oswald Review: An International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Criticism in the Discipline of English Volume 14 | Issue 1 Article 3 2012 Christian Influences on The aM binogi Josh Pittman Campbell University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/tor Part of the Comparative Literature Commons, Literature in English, Anglophone outside British Isles and North America Commons, and the Literature in English, British Isles Commons Recommended Citation Pittman, Josh (2012) "Christian Influences on The aM binogi," The Oswald Review: An International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Criticism in the Discipline of English: Vol. 14 : Iss. 1 , Article 3. Available at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/tor/vol14/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The sO wald Review: An International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Criticism in the Discipline of English by an authorized editor of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Christian Influences on The aM binogi Keywords The aM binogi, Beowulf, Christian Influences, Welsh Literature, Welsh mythology, Beowulf This article is available in The sO wald Review: An International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Criticism in the Discipline of English: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/tor/vol14/iss1/3 1 Christian Influences OnThe Mabinogi Josh Pittman Campbell University he Mabinogion, specifically the Four Branches of T The Mabinogi, is almost universally considered a sophisticated work of literature. As they would do for any well-developed work of art, critics analyze the Four Branches looking for themes and author-intended morals.
[Show full text]