Brian O'Sullivan
Why Fionn is the greatest hero!
Hi Jordan.
This is, of course, something of a nonsense argument on my part as any decision on ‘better’ is entirely a matter of personal preference (and, therefore, completely subjective). Both the Fenian Cycle (Fionn) and the Ulster Cycle (Cú Chulainn) are recognised bodies of literature that have a number of similar patterns but my view is that Fionn was the greatest Irish hero simply because the Fenian Cycle is a lot more natural and has a greater sense of cultural authenticity.
It’s generally agreed that the Fenian Cycle remained peripheral to the written culture in Ireland between the 7th -12th century (mostly dominated by the church and later by the Normans and Gaelic lords). The stories were believed to have been predominantly transmitted orally through the generations until collected and put into written form in the 12th century.
The Ulster Cycle by contrast, was very much written for the dominant classes (feudal lords) by their literati. The professional writers of these lords were very familiar with international narratives such as the Illiad, the manuscripts on Alexander the Great, the Bible stories and so on, and these strongly influenced what they wrote. You can clearly see the influence of the Illiad in the Ulster Cycle, for example, by the fact that they’re all ‘hooning around’ in chariots, something that all the evidence indicates was highly unlikely given the forested and flooded terrain. Chariots might have worked well in the arid, flat sections of Asia Minor but they’d have bogged down fast in down-town Emhain Macha.
Anyway, that’s my ten cents worth!
Hi Jordan.
This is, of course, something of a nonsense argument on my part as any decision on ‘better’ is entirely a matter of personal preference (and, therefore, completely subjective). Both the Fenian Cycle (Fionn) and the Ulster Cycle (Cú Chulainn) are recognised bodies of literature that have a number of similar patterns but my view is that Fionn was the greatest Irish hero simply because the Fenian Cycle is a lot more natural and has a greater sense of cultural authenticity.
It’s generally agreed that the Fenian Cycle remained peripheral to the written culture in Ireland between the 7th -12th century (mostly dominated by the church and later by the Normans and Gaelic lords). The stories were believed to have been predominantly transmitted orally through the generations until collected and put into written form in the 12th century.
The Ulster Cycle by contrast, was very much written for the dominant classes (feudal lords) by their literati. The professional writers of these lords were very familiar with international narratives such as the Illiad, the manuscripts on Alexander the Great, the Bible stories and so on, and these strongly influenced what they wrote. You can clearly see the influence of the Illiad in the Ulster Cycle, for example, by the fact that they’re all ‘hooning around’ in chariots, something that all the evidence indicates was highly unlikely given the forested and flooded terrain. Chariots might have worked well in the arid, flat sections of Asia Minor but they’d have bogged down fast in down-town Emhain Macha.
Anyway, that’s my ten cents worth!
More Answered Questions
Matt Jones
asked
Brian O'Sullivan:
Hello Brian! It's so brilliant to hear you've become a successful author! I remember reading some of your early scribblings when we were at Lille together in the early 90's. I thought I'd get in touch to congratulate you and let you know that I often remember the great times we had at Lille...I better ask a question after all that: how tough has it been to become a published author???
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Jan 01, 2018 11:39AM
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