Studies In The Fairy Mythology Of Arthurian Romance

Author : Lucy Paton
Publisher : CreateSpace
ISBN 13 : 9781514838839
Total Pages : 300 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (388 download)

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Download or read book Studies in the Fairy Mythology of Arthurian Romance written by Lucy Paton and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2015-07-05 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dr. Paton's work is an elaborate study of the history of Morgain la Feé in the Arthurian legend, and incidentally of La Dame du Lac and of Niniane (Nimue). The author finds the origin of all these characters in the fairy-mistress of Celtic legend, the earliest appearance of whom is in the Imram Brain maic Febail. Dr. Paton, however, opposes the view of Prof. Rhys, that the Lady of the Lake and Niniane 'may be taken as different aspects of the one mythic figure, the lake-lady Morgen,' and claims that they are in reality different personages, each with a distinct individuality and with a legend proper to herself. The origin of the name 'Morgain' has been much discussed, and many derivations have been proposed. All these, however, connect her in some way with the sea, while, as Dr. Paton points out, in no early form of her legend has she anything whatever to do with the sea, except in so far as she is the inhabitant of an island. All the derivations hitherto proposed are therefore rejected, and it is suggested that her name may come from that of the Morrigan, one of the five ancient Irish goddesses of war, and the most prominent of them. Derivation from this goddess would not of course account for Morgain's fairy-mistress character, hut it is shown that some of the minor incidents of her story recall, at least faintly, episodes connected with the Morrigan, and that she is credited with powers which are properly characteristic of the latter, the chief being the gifts of prophecy and ot shape-shifting. One can hardly say that Dr. Paton has succeeded in actually proving any connection between the two characters, but her theory is attractive and seems at least as plausible as any other. The greater part of the book is devoted to an account of the various episodes in which the three chief fays appear, and of their relations to Arthur and his knights, and seems to cover the ground with great thoroughness. The most difficult question is perhaps that of the relationship or want of relationship of Morgain and the Lady of the Lake. In later times they were of course clearly distinguished, and Dr. Paton attempts with some success to show that the fays were from the beginning different characters. At the same time it might, I think, be argued that, if Morgain be the Morrigan, there is a somewhat suggestive parallel between the Lady of the Lake's most characteristic presentation as the fairy guardian and protectress of a young knight and the Morrigan's protection of the youthful Cuchulinn. -The Modern Language Quarterly, Volume 7 [1904]