An introduction to Celtic Mythology

Fülszöveg

An introduction to
Celtic Mythology
Heroes, monsters, magic and lovers - the slories told by ancient Celtic poets have altracled listeners and readers for many
cenluries. The storytelling tradillon continues in the more remote areas of the
Celtic world, bul most or us have to be content with the stories as written down by
medieval Christian writers. Some of us come to the slories in versions by painters, poets and composers of the last century, when romantic tales of King Arthur were particularly popular. This volume takes us back to the pagan world of the Celts with later Christian and Romantic additions removed and the stories related as they were originally intended - enthralling entertainments for coJd winter evenings. The stories in this volume are beautifully illuslraled with examples of'abstract' Celtic
art and craftsmanship at Its fmest: the helmets and words of warriors; the intricate jewelry worn by both men and women; the
precious illustrations of medieval... Tovább

Fülszöveg

An introduction to
Celtic Mythology
Heroes, monsters, magic and lovers - the slories told by ancient Celtic poets have altracled listeners and readers for many
cenluries. The storytelling tradillon continues in the more remote areas of the
Celtic world, bul most or us have to be content with the stories as written down by
medieval Christian writers. Some of us come to the slories in versions by painters, poets and composers of the last century, when romantic tales of King Arthur were particularly popular. This volume takes us back to the pagan world of the Celts with later Christian and Romantic additions removed and the stories related as they were originally intended - enthralling entertainments for coJd winter evenings. The stories in this volume are beautifully illuslraled with examples of'abstract' Celtic
art and craftsmanship at Its fmest: the helmets and words of warriors; the intricate jewelry worn by both men and women; the
precious illustrations of medieval manuscripts such as the Book of Kells; and the occasional rare depictions of strange heroes and deities. Amongst these ancient objects are placed landscape photographs showing a world that has changed little since
Celtic times: hill-forts and chalk figures; ruined villages and tombs; stone circles and wishing wells which often predate the Celts themselves, bul were believed by the Druids lo hold magical powers.
The author introduces us to this wonderful culture with tales of Celtic heroes and heroines: the Irish warrior-king
CuChulainn; Pwyll the splendid Welsh prince; the tragic lale of Branwen, daughter of the Irish King Ll^r, with its striking parallels lo snakespeare's Cordelia and King Lear; the equally tragic romance of Tristan and Isolt, immortalized for music-lovers in Wagner's opera IVistan and Isolde. These great stories are followed by shorter tales, which have been selected to give the reader an idea of the range of slories told by the ancient bards: lales of magic and monsters, wizards and lovers. Examples of the continuing tradition of storytelling are also included with folktales from Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales, where the Celtic languages are still spoken. Vissza