The role of love

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Bardic College
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Danta Gradha (- threads, 23 posts)
Celtic love lore & poetry. ...

The role of love

Historical Thread

What role did Love play, if any, in early Celtic literature?

It is a strange fact that love poetry and romance is almost nonexistent in the material of the ancient bards. There are only a few themes that actually have to do with romance, and they are presented more as an excuse for a fable or tale than from any personal or emotional expression.

For instance, in the DREAM OF AENGUS, which is often brought up as an example of a Celtic romance, there is no real warmth between the hero and his fairy love. There are no flowery passages or descriptions of passion. The narrative is relatively cold and objective, telling of Aengus' heart sickness for the elusive fairy, with more down to earth emphasis on how he can go about finding her, rather than any romantic interactions between the couple. The ending of the tale, when Aengus and his fairy love (who remains oddly nameless until almost the end, her name finally revealed as if as an afterthought) turn into swans is more of what we might tend to expect from a Celtic romance, but even this is put forth in a flat, matter of fact tone.

Two other so-called Celtic romances that are often cited as exemplary are the tragedy of Deirdre and Naoise, and the fabled Trystan and Esylt, also absent of the passions typical in most love stories.

As far as love poetry is concerned, there is even less. The earliest Celtic love poems come from the Welsh bards and not until the 12th century. The Normans brought their particular brand of love poetry with them, which blended with local forms to create a style that was heavily tinged with French and Provencal influences. Throughout the next few centuries, the medieval European lyric style of love poetry appears to have melded with some of the older Irish and Welsh bardic forms, evolving in verses that are obviously continental in origin but fleshed out on the frame of native bardic traditions.

All these things considered, what roots can modern Celtic bards use for the creation of love poetry? The writings attributed to the Welsh bard Dafydd ap Gwilym (b.1325-d.1380)are probably the most inspirational source. For the Irish, we can look to Fearchar O'Maoilchiarain (14th century) or even Earl Gerald Fitzgerald. In my own search for Celtic love poetry, I have sadly found that the most beautiful of verses are by unknown authors whose names have been lost in the mists of time, or else have been passed down in lyrics of traditional folk songs whose origins are as elusive as the morning dew.

Created by:
* Flidais Niafer, Mar 23, 2003 - 08:47