Through the Lens of the Beast: Animal Transformations, the Progression of Time, and their Relation to Perceived Cultural Shifts in Medieval Irish Literature

Abstract

This thesis primarily focuses on the motifs of animal transformations and the progression of time as they appear in medieval Irish literature. While scholars have previously written in depth about each motif as an individual study, I have endeavoured to address both in tandem. In this pursuit I have identified three criteria which I have determined to be essential for the purpose of selecting texts for my analysis. Firstly, there must exist the presence of atleast one animal transformation present within the text. Secondly, there must be some clear example of the progression of time being present. This thesis addresses that due to the function of time in relation to the Tuatha Dé Danann, this progression of time can be seen to be both endured and manipulated in relation to which group of people it is applied to. Lastly, the presence of some form of cultural shift occuring within the narrative must be present. Together these criteria contribute to my overall argument that when an animal transformation is featured in combination with the preogression of time, it is a conscious effort by the texts author to display perceived cultural changes occurring within the country of Ireland itself. By looking back at the rapidly shifting cultural landscape of Ireland, these authors used these transformations to convey what was occurring over hundreds of years through an easily digestible narrative for future readers. The introduction of this thesis describes the methodology employed throughout the textual analysis. Furthermore, it establishes how time is typically displayed in medieval Irish literature, specifically in the case of the Irish Otherworld and Tuatha Dé Danann. Lastly it gives a brief overview of the tremendous changes that medieval Ireland was experiencing at the time these texts were being written. The second chapter covers the characters of Fintan mac Bóchra and Tuán mac Cairill as they are found in the texts Lebor Gabala Érenn, Scél Tuáin Meic Chairill and The Hawk of Achill. Through the animal transformations of these characters, parallel cultural shifts in Ireland can be found in regards to the transition towards Christianity. This theme is found also in the third chapter where the characters of Fionnghuala and Lí Bán are discussed. Their presence in Oidhe Chloinne Lir and Aided Echach Maic Maireda respectively, highlight the Christian virtue of fortitude and importance of baptism, while conveying perceived shifts in regards to the decline of pagan religious practice and rise of Christianity. The fourth chapter solely addresses the characterisation of Étaín as she is presented in Tochmarc Étaíne. As a woman of sovereignty and through her animal transformations, she demonstrates the tumultuous nature of medieval Irish kingship.