EN256: Myths & Legends of Ireland and Britain
Summer 2007

Syllabus

(Subject to revision)

Part I: Irish Myth & Legend

Monday 6/4: Introduction:Lands, Languages, and Legends of the Celts

We will read the following texts:

• “The Voyage of Bran Son of Febal”
• “The Adventure of Conle”

Tuesday 6/5: Otherworld Encounters

In Early Irish Myths and Sagas, read:

• "Introduction" (1-27)
• “The Wooing of Etain” (37-59)
• “The Dream of Oengus” (107-112)
• “The Wasting Sickness of Cu Chulainn and the Only Jealousy of Emer” (153-178)

Wednesday 6/6: Before the Táin

In Kinsella’s The Táin, read:

• “Introduction” (ix-xxvii)
• “How the Táin Bó Cuailnge Was Found Again” (1-2)
• “How Conchobor Was Begotten, and How He Took the Kingship of Ulster” (3-6)
• “The Pangs of Ulster” (6-8)
• “How Cúchulainn Was Begotten” (21-25)
• “Cúchulainn’s Courtship of Emer, and His Training in Arms” (25-39)
• "The Death of Aife's One Son" (39-45)
• “The Quarrel of the Two Pig-Keepers, and How the Bulls Were Begotten” (46-50)
• "The Pillow Talk" (51-58)

Thursday 6/7:The Táin

In Kinsella's The Táin, read pp. 58-114.

Friday 6/8:The Táin

In Kinsella's The Táin, read pp. 114-205

Monday 6/11:The Táin

In Kinsella's The Táin, read pp. 206-253.

Tuesday 6/12: Deirdre

Read “The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu” (Early Irish Myths and Sagas, 256-267) and J. M. Synge's “Deirdre of the Sorrows” (handout).

Wednesday 6/13: Thesis workshop

Thursday 6/14: The Mabinogion

In The Mabinogion, read:

• “Pwyll Lord of Dyved” (45-65)
• “Branwen Daughter of Llyr” (66-82)

Friday 6/15:The Mabinogion

In The Mabinogion, read:

• “Manawydan Son of Llyr” (83-96)
• “Math Son of Mathonwy” (97-117)

Also read Marie de France's “Lanval" (handout).

Monday 6/18:The Legends of Saints

Read selections from the writings of St. Patrick and Mirchú's "Life of St. Patrick" (handouts).

First essay due.

Tuesday 6/19:The Legends of Saints

Read “The Voyage of St. Brendan” (The Age of Bede,233-267), and Cogitosus, “The Life of St. Brigid the Virgin” (handout).

Wednesday 6/20: The Legends of Saints/Thesis workshop

Read “The Phantom Chariot of Cu Chulainn” (handout).

Thursday 6/21: Beowulf

In Heaney's translation, read lines 1-661. Also read selections from Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People.

Friday 6/22: Beowulf

In Heaney's translation, read lines 662-1382.

Monday 6/25: Beowulf

In Heaney's translation, read lines 1383-1798.

Second essay due.

Tuesday 6/26: Beowulf

In Heaney's translation, read lines 1799-2509

Wednesday 6/27: Beowulf

In Heaney's translation, read lines 2510-3182.

Thursday 6/28: Thesis workshop

Friday 6/29: Third essay due.