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Post by Allec on Feb 6, 2015 13:07:12 GMT -6
I've been mulling over what differentiates Mythology, Legend, Folklore, Fairy Tale, and Wonder Tale...and I came to wondering what type of story yal think The Táin is? Because depending on how you choose to define things, The Táin can fit into any one of those categories, but what describes it best? I personally see The Táin as a legend, because while An Dé make an appearance, the story is ultimately tied to history more than being Otherworldly. It also is tied to history, as the events of The Táin explain why certain areas have certain names. Your thoughts? |
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seamu5
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Pronouns: Barbarian
Religion: Gaelic Polytheism
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Post by seamu5 on Feb 6, 2015 18:55:24 GMT -6
The Táin bó Cuailgne is considered an epic along the same lines as The Illiad, The Oddessy, Song of Roland, and Beowulf. It's a greatly exaggerated history of an event that starts to border on Myth and Legend. They're also closely tied to a national identity and cultural heritage.
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Jace
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finding nonbinary S.O. names is dreadfully difficult.
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Post by Jace on Feb 6, 2015 19:03:36 GMT -6
It always reminded me of being comparable to the Iliad and Odyssey, minus the consistent poetic aspect, so whenever anyone asks me "What are you reading and why is there a cow on it?" I just respond with "It's an epic from Irish lore". I know that technically this is not true, because epics are a form of poem, but it's one of the easiest ways to describe to outsiders looking for a quick answer.
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Post by Allec on Feb 6, 2015 22:56:59 GMT -6
Yeah, I agree with you Luc. While it is often compared to things like the Iliad and Odyssey, a "true" epic is a massively long poem. Perhaps The Táin once was only in verse, but it hasn't survived as such.
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Echtrai
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Post by Echtrai on Feb 7, 2015 6:06:46 GMT -6
One thing to keep in mind is that the definitions on that thread are not based on classifications of Irish literature, they're probably mostly based on classifications of Greek or Roman literature, which are obviously going to wind up different. There's this great quote out of Sjoestedt's book that I think gets at my point: The point being that the lines between mythology, history and legend are extremely blurred in Irish lore. The Táin has the feel of a legend, with that brushing against believable history, but there's also stuff like the interjection of the gods that tilt it a little mythological. The lore of place names is a big part of the Táin as well, so that might also tilt it towards mythology with the definition including stories told "to explain nature, history, and customs." I think "epic" could suit, though, and Wikipedia has an epic genre page that says So poetry might not really be a necessary feature! |
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Post by Allec on Feb 7, 2015 13:10:15 GMT -6
That's a good point, Echtrai!
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