Saturday, December 5, 2009
Animals in the Tain
I find it interesting that this whole war seems to be fought over a bull and from reading the course documents, powerpoints, and such that many of the gods and goddesses, especially the goddesses, are zoomorphic, yet unlike The Iliad or The Mahabharata the warriors are not described with animalistic qualities. The warriors in The Tain are described by their appearance and robes. I find it odd that in a myth that seems more naturalistic and animalistic, the warrior descriptions are much more human rather than fierce. Some of the acts that are committed are horrible and atrocious, but the warriors are not compared to animals, it is simply a fact of the matter. I guess that's not really a question so much as an observation, but I was wondering if anyone else noticed this or thought anything of it?
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I just noticed that the warriors are being described by their robes and clothing and could be picked out by name based on that. Depending on the color, length, and the brooch they wore could depict which army the were a part of, what land they are from, and what their lineage was. Its amazing how their cloths could depict so much.
ReplyDeleteI find it odd that the gods, when they want to show off their powers, turn into animals. Outside of the particularly horrific transformations of the heroes and the hideous fomor, the magical nature of the Celts seems rooted in the very normal world of wildlife. It's quite a change of pace after seeing the many permutations of Greek monster and Hindu deity.
ReplyDeleteWell, Cuchulainn is identified as "the Hound of Culann" by his grandfather Cathbad. And it is much like a guard dog that he defends Ulster. So perhaps at least symbolically Cuchulainn assumes Godhood that is recognized thru his name.
ReplyDeleteSo at least one warrior...
Kaitlin, I noticed that as well. However, whenever I hear of someone comming such terrible act, I automatically associate them with animals and think of their actions as barbaric. So perhaps through the vivid imagery and word choice, the characters can be related to animals. Also, I think it is ironic that they act somewhat like animals and they are infact fighting for an animal, the bull.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that too about animals in myth. There seems to be a lot of description with animals in the myths we have read. Even in The Tain where the warriors are not described as animals there is still a lot of importance with animals, like the bulls the war is fought over and the fact the Cu Chulainn's name comes from his killing a hound. It seems like myth uses animals in many different ways to add to their own story.
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