- Feb 2019
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earlybritishlit.pressbooks.com earlybritishlit.pressbooks.com
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he saw two damsels coming towards him; fairer maidens Launfal had never seen. These two maidens were richly dressed in kirtles closely laced and shapen to their persons and wore mantles of a goodly purple hue. Sweet and dainty were the damsels, alike in raiment and in face. The elder of these ladies carried in her hands a basin of pure gold, cunningly wrought by some crafty smith—very fair and precious was the cup; and the younger bore a towel of soft white linen.
Literary device: imagery.
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Now, on a day, Sir Launfal got him on his horse, that he might take his pleasure for a little. He came forth from the city, alone, attended by neither servant nor squire. He went his way through a green mead, till he stood by a river of clear running water. Sir Launfal would have crossed this stream, without thought of pass or ford, but he might not do so, for reason that his horse was all fearful and trembling. Seeing that he was hindered in this fashion, Launfal unbitted his steed, and let him pasture in that fair meadow, where they had come. Then he folded his cloak to serve him as a pillow, and lay upon the ground. Launfal lay in great misease, because of his heavy thoughts, and the discomfort of his bed. He turned from side to side, and might not sleep.
Literary device: imagery
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marvel not overmuch
Literary device: consonance
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too proud a mind to pray
Literary device: alliteration
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naught
Definition: nothing; the number zero.
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high descent, though his heritage
Literary device: alliteration
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see so stout
Literary device: alliteration
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open of heart and heavy of hand
Literary device: juxtaposition. The narrator is comparing and contrasting Launfal's kindness and open mindedness with his ability to also condemn and fight, two usually opposing ideas but in this case offers a clearer picture of the type of person Launfal is.
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wont of the wild
Literary device: alliteration
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Logres
Logres is Arthur's domain and territory of England, which looks much different than modern England.
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Caerleon-on-Usk
Caerleon is a town in Wales built out of an ancient Roman legionary base. It's located close to the river Usk.
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- Jan 2019
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earlybritishlit.pressbooks.com earlybritishlit.pressbooks.com
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I thoroughly enjoyed this text. It was a really good read and really funny in some parts. I want to make a note of a motif I saw and that is Cuchulainn's young age. It is mentioned in all of the story throughout and how he acts. Even though he has great feats in combat and as a warrior, he is still a young kid. For example his cunning and trickster ways in the beginning and middle of the text are childish. He destroys the chariots and armors of Conchobar as to give no one else the opportunity to become a legend all over Ireland. He deceives Conchobar and tells him Cathbad sent him to take up arms when this was not the case. He tricked Conall at Sliab Fuait and kept him from continuing with him. Conall also brought up his young age and how he was unfit to be a warrior yet. Again, when he fought against the men at the ford in Mag Breg, one of the champions tried to run him off because he was so young and did not wish to kill him. Near the end as well, when Mugain sends the naked women to Cuchulainn, he covers his face. This indicates his embarrassment and feelings of indecency. Also, Fiacha Mac Fir-Febe mentioned that Cuchulainn was only seven years old. I think that the motif of Cuchulainn's age goes with the theme of the story. My take away for the theme is that one should not underestimate a person based on their age and people deserve recognition based on their abilities and feats. I feel this was achieved towards the end when the people of Emain Macha dared not to fight or provoke him even though he was only seven years old. Overall, it was a really good read and I hope I get to read more things like this.
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‘”It will be enough,” said Conall, “if it is to protect any one with poetry; if it is to fight against a man, it is early for you yet.”
He is treating Cuchulainn like a child.
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The man who did this in his seventh year,’
He was only 7 years old at the time.
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He heard then the cry of their mother, Nechta Scene, behind them.
It's too late now, should've thought about your sons before you let them fight the Hound of Ulster.
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‘”It will please you now in the ford yonder,” said Cuchulainn.
Self-explanatory.
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‘”I am not a boy at all,” said Cuchulainn; “but it is to seek battle with a man that the boy who is here has come.”
Cuchulainn is letting them know that they need to put some 'respeck on his name'.
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‘”Truly it is not to avoid it that we go,” said Cuchulainn.
Basically he's telling Ibor to find courage (to put it nicely).
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‘”Is it they who say,” said Cuchulainn, “that there are not more of the Ulstermen alive than they have slain of them?”
This is what Cuchulainn has been waiting for: worthy adversaries to cement himself as legend.
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cairn
A cairn is a stack of stones or rocks laid out as either a memorial or landmark.
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Sliab Fuait
This is the summit in the Fews Mountains.
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‘”As long as the road shall lead us,” said Cuchulainn.
Cuchulainn is eager to become a legend and have his name be known by 'all of Ireland, forever'.
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Táin Bó Cúailnge
The name of an old Irish tale. The tale describes how two Irish kingdoms were at war over a valuable bull. The queen of Connacht, Medb, wanted to be in possession of a bull named Donn Cuailnge because she didn't want her husband to be richer than her. The bull was owned by a cattle-lord in Ulster so she sent a messenger with a generous offer in exchange to loan the bull to her for a year. The cattle lord accepted, but after getting drunk with the messenger he revealed had he not accepted, Medb would have taken the bull by force. This did not sit well with the cattle-lord so he declined the offer which prompted Medb to amass an army and try to steal the bull.
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Ulster and Connacht
Ulster and Connacht are two of four Provinces of Ireland. They were neighboring "kingdoms".
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Rostam
A Holy Warrior from Middle-Eastern mythology.
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