Fionn mac Cumhail
Fionn mac Cumhail

Author: James MacKillop

Publisher: Syracuse University Press

Published: 1985-12-01

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 9780815623533

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The Gaelic hero Fionn mac Cumhaill (often known in English as Finn MacCool) has had a long life. First cited in Old Irish chronicles from the early Christian era, he became the central hero of the Fenian Cycle which flourished in the high Middle Ages. Stories about Fionn and his warriors continue to be told by storytellers in Ireland and in Gaelic Scotland to this day. This book traces the development of Fionn's persona in Irish and Scottish texts and constructs a heroic biography of him. As aspects of the hero are borrowed into English and later world literature, his personality undergoes several changes. Seen as less than admirable, he may become either a buffoon or a blackguard. Somehow these contradictions exist side by side. Among the writers in English most interested in Fionn are James Macpherson, the "translator" of The Poems of Ossian ( 17601, William Carleton, the first great fiction writer of nineteenth-century Ireland, and Fiann O'Brien, the multifaceted author of At Swim-Two-Birds. Aspects of Fiann appear as far apart as Mendelssohn's "Hebrides (or Fingal 's Cave) Overture" and a contemporary rock opera. But the most complex use of Fionn's story in modern literature is James Joyce's Finnegans Wake.

Finn and the Fianna
Finn and the Fianna

Author: Daniel Allison

Publisher: The History Press

Published: 2021-02-19

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 0750995858

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The stories of Finn MacCoull and his warriors were once told at every fireside in Scotland and Ireland. After centuries in obscurity, this collection brings the tales soaring to life again. Here you will find Diarmuid, whom no woman can help but fall in love with, and Ossian, a warrior-poet raised in the woods by a wild deer. There is Grainne, ancient ancestor of Iseult and Guinevere, and Finn himself, whose name was once a byword for wisdom, generosity and beauty. Enter a world of feasting and fighting, battles and poetry, riddles and omens; join Finn and the Fianna on their never-ending quest to drink deeper and deeper of the cup of life.

Tales Until Dawn
Tales Until Dawn

Author: Joe Neil MacNeil

Publisher: McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP

Published: 1987

Total Pages: 316

ISBN-13: 9780773505605

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Joe Neil MacNeil holds in his memory a wealth of Gaelic folktales, learned in his youth in Cape Breton. For over a decade, he has told his tales to John Shaw, a specialist in Celtic folklore and fluent speaker of Gaelic. Shaw has recorded, transcribed, edited, and translated the tales and folklore into English. This rich and entertaining collection is the result of their collaboration. Folktales, anecdotes, proverbs, expressions, rhymes, superstitions, and games are presented in translation and, in the cloth edtion, in the original as well. All variations of the genre are represented: a fragment from the Ulster cycle, some items from the Fenian cycle, hero and wonder tales, fairy and witch lore, romantic tales, tales of the exemplum type, tales of cleverness, "numbskull" stories, animal tales, and tall tales.

A Brief History of the Celts
A Brief History of the Celts

Author: Peter Berresford Ellis

Publisher: Robinson

Published: 2013-02-07

Total Pages: 282

ISBN-13: 1472107942

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For centuries the Celts held sway in Europe. Even after their conquest by the Romans, their culture remained vigorous, ensuring that much of it endured to feed an endless fascination with Celtic history and myths, artwork and treasures. A foremost authority on the Celtic peoples and their culture, Peter Berresford Ellis presents an invigoration overview of their world. With his gift for making the scholarly accessible, he discusses the Celts' mysterious origins and early history and investigates their rich and complex society. His use of recently uncovered firnds brings fascinating insights into Celtic kings and chieftains, architecture and arts, medicine and religions, myths and legends, making this esesntial reading for any search for Europe's ancient past.

The Reader's Encyclopedia
The Reader's Encyclopedia

Author: William Rose Benét

Publisher:

Published: 1965

Total Pages: 1144

ISBN-13:

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Thousands of authoritative articles on: Poets, playwrights, novelists, mythology, folklore, the Bible, artists, musicians, historical personages, etc.

The Iliad & The Odyssey (Including "Homer and His Age")
The Iliad & The Odyssey (Including

Author: Andrew Lang

Publisher: Good Press

Published: 2023-11-28

Total Pages: 1047

ISBN-13:

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The collection 'The Iliad & The Odyssey (Including "Homer and His Age")' presents readers with an unparalleled opportunity to dive into the depths of ancient Greek literature, intertwined with a scholarly analysis by Andrew Lang. The anthology spans epic poetry and critical examination, crossing bridges between mythological tales of war, heroism, gods, and the human condition, while providing insightful commentary on the historical and literary contexts of Homers era. Lang's inclusion enhances the reader's comprehension of the ancient texts, inviting a deeper appreciation of their thematic richness and stylistic nuances, making this collection a significant compilation for both enthusiasts and scholars of classical literature. The backgrounds of Homer, the attributed author of 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey,' and Andrew Lang, a prolific writer and critic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, merge to form a collection that traverses time. Langs expertise in folklore, mythology, and the tradition of storytelling complements Homers epic narratives, positioning this anthology within a broader discourse on the evolution of literature and myth. Their collective works offer insights into the socio-political landscapes of their respective eras, framing a dialogue across millennia on the enduring nature of human storytelling. This anthology is a compelling invitation for readers to explore the synthesis of epic adventure and scholarly critique. It promises a multifaceted journey through the trials of Achilles, the cunning of Odysseus, and the critical lens of Lang, enhancing ones understanding of these classical texts. Ideal for those seeking to immerse themselves in ancient storytelling with the guidance of an informed interpretation, 'The Iliad & The Odyssey (Including "Homer and His Age")' serves as a testament to the power of literature to transcend time and cultural barriers, encouraging a continual re-examination of the stories that shape our world.

Bring Back Beatrice!
Bring Back Beatrice!

Author: Jennifer Griffin

Publisher: Workman Publishing

Published: 2011-04-01

Total Pages: 600

ISBN-13: 0761164014

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In a world where too many babies are named Ashley and Jayden and too many baby name books are saccharine pink and blue, here comes something singular: a book that brings meaning, taste, character, a little bit of attitude, and a refreshing lack of trendiness to the art of naming a baby. Bring Back Beatrice! is a clarion call for parents who know they are naming not just a cuddly newborn, but a human being— a person who will be proud to carry a name like Iris, meaning rainbow (after the Greek messenger goddess who connected the heavens to the earth); Bennett, the medieval form of the name Benedict, meaning “blessing;” Henry, good enough for eight English kings—after all, it means “home ruler;” Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting, the allegorical antecedent of the virgin Queen Elizabeth, and alterego of Wonder Woman; or Beatrice, an old-fashioned beauty with roots in both Dante and Shakespeare. Bring Back Beatrice! winnows down the universe of names to 1,546 mostly classic examples, and it makes a strong case for each, featuring the name’s definition, its use in history, its connotations and subtleties, its “meaning” in the fuller sense. Included are variations, nicknames, and, especially useful for readers, alternatives— names that have the same flavor, but may sound better with a particular last name or family background. There’s a guide to the basic rules of baby naming: scansion— the sounds, syllables, and rhythm of a name, and how it goes with a last name—ethnic traditions, recent trends, effective use of a middle name, plus an invaluable “flaky test.” Still considering a quirky name? Just imagine yourself buckling in for a flight when a voice comes on, saying, “I’m your captain, (insert quirky name here).” What do you think now?