This course will introduce students to the literature from medieval Ireland and Wales that portrayed both the adventures of the Celtic gods and goddesses, and heroic ‘saga’, by which is meant the exploits of Ireland’s and Britain’s prehistoric heroes. The course will also trace continuities in the storytelling of medieval Ireland and Wales with the culture of the Continental Celts of Antiquity, and will include examination of the role of literacy and the advent of Christianity on the islands’ native mythologies. The course assumes no prior familiarity with Celtic literature and history and all texts will be read in English translation.
This course will introduce students to the literature from medieval Ireland and Wales that portrayed both the adventures of the Celtic gods and goddesses, and heroic ‘saga’, by which is meant the exploits of Ireland’s and Britain’s prehistoric heroes. The course will also trace continuities in the storytelling of medieval Ireland and Wales with the culture of the Continental Celts of Antiquity, and will include examination of the role of literacy and the advent of Christianity on the islands’ native mythologies. The course assumes no prior familiarity with Celtic literature and history and all texts will be read in English translation.
