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The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn

January 08, 2023

The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn (Irish: Macgnímartha Finn) is a medieval Irish narrative belonging to the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. As its title implies, it recounts the boyhood exploits of Fionn mac Cumhaill, the cycle's central figure.

Origin and development

The most important manuscript is Laud 610: folio 118Rb-121Va, which is missing the ending; Kuno Meyer and Gerard Murphy assigned the text to the 12th century.{[2]

The Laud 610 manuscript text was edited and translated by John O'Donovan as "The Boyish Exploits of Finn mac Cumhaill" in 1859,[3] but only partly with some deficiencies according to Kuno Meyer. Meyer published a 1881 edition followed by a 1904 translation entitled "The Boyish Exploits of Finn".[4][5] A more recent translation appeared in Joseph Falaky Nagy, The Wisdom of the Outlaw: Boyhood Deeds of Finn in Gaelic Narrative Tradition (1985).[6]

The text breaks off while Fionn investigates a sídhe or fairy mound, before his trip to Tara. Scholars have pointed out similarities between earlier versions of The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn and tales of the youth of the Ulster Cycle hero Cúchulainn.[7] For instance, The Boyhood Deeds of Cúchulainn and The Wooing of Emer, both found within the epic Táin Bó Cúailnge, recount Cúchulainn's earning of a nickname through his feats, his training by a warrior woman (Scáthach) and his earning of a deadly spear (the Gáe Bulg).

A modern retelling of the Boyhood Deeds occurs under the title "Birth of Fin Maccumhail".[8][9]

Plot

The story begins with the death of Fionn's father Cumhal, leader of the Fianna, at the hands of Goll mac Morna. Cumhal's wife Muirne was pregnant at the time and eventually gave birth to their son, called Demne in his youth. Fearing for his safety, she sends the boy to be raised by Cumhal's sister, the druidess Bodhmall, and her companion Liath Luachra. The two warrior women raise him and accompany him on several adventures, including one in which he receives his nickname, Fionn (the fair; the pale). As he grows, his exploits attract increasing attention, and finally his foster mothers send him away for fear that Goll's men will find him. Subsequent episodes depict his service to the king of Bantry, his recovery of Cumhal's treasures by slaying Liath Luachra (a different character than his caretaker), and his meeting with the aged and dispossessed Fianna who had fought with his father.

Finn's wisdom

Another episode recounts how Fionn gained the ability to gain wisdom whenever he applied his thumb to his tooth. He developed this ability after inadvertently tasting the salmon which would grant universal knowledge to whoever consumed it. The salmon, which dwelled in the pool of Fés, was coveted seven years by Finn's mentor, the poet Finn Éces. Finn cooked the salmon, obeying his mentor's instruction not to partake any of the salmon before serving it to him, but burnt his thumb while cooking and sucked it, thereby receiving its gift of wisdom.[10]

Though it is not stated explicitly, it is inferred that this was a Salmon of Wisdom that probably ate the hazelnuts at the Well of Segais.[1]

Fairy mound attack
Main article: Birga

Fionn travels to the capital of Tara, which is set aflame each Samhain by Aillén the Burner, one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Goll and the Fianna are powerless to stop it, since Aillén puts everyone to sleep with a magical tune. Fionn inhales poison from his own spear to prevent sleep, and dispatches Aillén. He reveals his identity to the court, and the king grants Fionn his rightful position as leader of the Fianna. Goll steps down, and engages in a truce with his enemy.[11]

Mirrors and Parallels

Episodes about Finn and his family in the Macgnímartha Finn are also attested in other works in Irish literature. Some parallels with other Celtic or Norse culture has been discussed as well.

Cath Cnucha

The beginning episode telling of Cumhal mac Treanmhor's death is given in the narrative Cath Cnucha. A 17th century tale, "The Fight of Castle Knoc" discusses Cumhal's death and Liath Luachra's taking of the Corrbolg (construed as armor here, though this is Crane-bag elsewhere).[12][13]

Wisdom

As for the acquisition of wisdom by tasting the salmon, this has been compared to the Welsh episode where Ceridwen's condensed brew in the cauldron of wisdom was unintendedly tasted by her son Morfran.[1] Another close parallel is Sigurd the dragon-slayer who burns his finger cooking the heart of the dragon Fáfnir, and subsequently gains the ability to understand the conversation of birds.[14]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Scowcroft, R. Mark (1995), "Abstract Narrative in Ireland", Ériu, 46: 152–153, JSTOR 30007878
  2. ^ Meyer (1910) Fianaigecht, Introduction, § Twelfth Century, p. xxviii; Murphy (1953) Duanaire Finn 3, p. xxxiv, lxv, etc. Cited by Scowcroft.[1]
  3. ^ O'Donovan (1859), pp. 281–304.
  4. ^ Meyer (1881), pp. 195–204, 508.
  5. ^ Meyer (1904), pp. 180–190.
  6. ^ Nagy (1985).
  7. ^ Mackillop, Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, p. 318 "Macgnímartha Finn".
  8. ^ Curtin, Jeremiah, ed. (1890). Birth of Fin Maccumhail. Myths and Folk-lore of Ireland. Little, Brown. pp. 204–220.
  9. ^ Brown (1921), p. 666 note 3.
  10. ^ Meyer (1904) tr., "The Boyish Exploits of Finn", pp. 185–186
  11. ^ Meyer (1904) tr., "The Boyish Exploits of Finn", pp. 180–190.
  12. ^ Brown (1921), p. 665 note 3.
  13. ^ Meyer, Kuno (1866), "The Fight of Castle Knoc", Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts, Macmillan and Company, pp. 216–222
  14. ^ Nagy, Joseph Falaky (1980), "Intervention and Disruption in the Myths of Finn and Sigurd", Ériu, 31: 121–131, JSTOR 30008217

References

  • Brown, Arthur C. L. (April 1921), "The Grail and the English "Sir Perceval". (Continued)", Modern Philology, 18 (12): 661–673, doi:10.1086/387378, JSTOR 433353, S2CID 161342899<ref>
  • Meyer, Kuno (1881), "Macgnimartha Find", Revue Celtique, 5: 195–204, 508
  • Meyer, Kuno (1904), "The Boyish Exploits of Finn" [tr. of Macgnimartha Find], Ériu, 1: 180–190
  • Nagy, Joseph Falaky (1985). The Wisdom of the Outlaw: Boyhood Deeds of Finn in Gaelic Narrative Tradition. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  • O'Donovan, John (1859), "The Boyish Exploits of Finn mac Cumhaill" [Mac-gnimartha Finn mac Cumaill], Transactions of the Ossianic Society, 4: 281–304

January 08, 2023
boyhood, deeds, fionn, irish, macgnímartha, finn, medieval, irish, narrative, belonging, fenian, cycle, irish, mythology, title, implies, recounts, boyhood, exploits, fionn, cumhaill, cycle, central, figure, contents, origin, development, plot, mirrors, parall. The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn Irish Macgnimartha Finn is a medieval Irish narrative belonging to the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology As its title implies it recounts the boyhood exploits of Fionn mac Cumhaill the cycle s central figure Contents 1 Origin and development 2 Plot 3 Mirrors and Parallels 4 Notes 5 ReferencesOrigin and development EditThe most important manuscript is Laud 610 folio 118Rb 121Va which is missing the ending Kuno Meyer and Gerard Murphy assigned the text to the 12th century 2 The Laud 610 manuscript text was edited and translated by John O Donovan as The Boyish Exploits of Finn mac Cumhaill in 1859 3 but only partly with some deficiencies according to Kuno Meyer Meyer published a 1881 edition followed by a 1904 translation entitled The Boyish Exploits of Finn 4 5 A more recent translation appeared in Joseph Falaky Nagy The Wisdom of the Outlaw Boyhood Deeds of Finn in Gaelic Narrative Tradition 1985 6 The text breaks off while Fionn investigates a sidhe or fairy mound before his trip to Tara Scholars have pointed out similarities between earlier versions of The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn and tales of the youth of the Ulster Cycle hero Cuchulainn 7 For instance The Boyhood Deeds of Cuchulainn and The Wooing of Emer both found within the epic Tain Bo Cuailnge recount Cuchulainn s earning of a nickname through his feats his training by a warrior woman Scathach and his earning of a deadly spear the Gae Bulg A modern retelling of the Boyhood Deeds occurs under the title Birth of Fin Maccumhail 8 9 Plot EditThe story begins with the death of Fionn s father Cumhal leader of the Fianna at the hands of Goll mac Morna Cumhal s wife Muirne was pregnant at the time and eventually gave birth to their son called Demne in his youth Fearing for his safety she sends the boy to be raised by Cumhal s sister the druidess Bodhmall and her companion Liath Luachra The two warrior women raise him and accompany him on several adventures including one in which he receives his nickname Fionn the fair the pale As he grows his exploits attract increasing attention and finally his foster mothers send him away for fear that Goll s men will find him Subsequent episodes depict his service to the king of Bantry his recovery of Cumhal s treasures by slaying Liath Luachra a different character than his caretaker and his meeting with the aged and dispossessed Fianna who had fought with his father Finn s wisdomAnother episode recounts how Fionn gained the ability to gain wisdom whenever he applied his thumb to his tooth He developed this ability after inadvertently tasting the salmon which would grant universal knowledge to whoever consumed it The salmon which dwelled in the pool of Fes was coveted seven years by Finn s mentor the poet Finn Eces Finn cooked the salmon obeying his mentor s instruction not to partake any of the salmon before serving it to him but burnt his thumb while cooking and sucked it thereby receiving its gift of wisdom 10 Though it is not stated explicitly it is inferred that this was a Salmon of Wisdom that probably ate the hazelnuts at the Well of Segais 1 Fairy mound attackMain article Birga Fionn travels to the capital of Tara which is set aflame each Samhain by Aillen the Burner one of the Tuatha De Danann Goll and the Fianna are powerless to stop it since Aillen puts everyone to sleep with a magical tune Fionn inhales poison from his own spear to prevent sleep and dispatches Aillen He reveals his identity to the court and the king grants Fionn his rightful position as leader of the Fianna Goll steps down and engages in a truce with his enemy 11 Mirrors and Parallels EditEpisodes about Finn and his family in the Macgnimartha Finn are also attested in other works in Irish literature Some parallels with other Celtic or Norse culture has been discussed as well Cath CnuchaThe beginning episode telling of Cumhal mac Treanmhor s death is given in the narrative Cath Cnucha A 17th century tale The Fight of Castle Knoc discusses Cumhal s death and Liath Luachra s taking of the Corrbolg construed as armor here though this is Crane bag elsewhere 12 13 WisdomAs for the acquisition of wisdom by tasting the salmon this has been compared to the Welsh episode where Ceridwen s condensed brew in the cauldron of wisdom was unintendedly tasted by her son Morfran 1 Another close parallel is Sigurd the dragon slayer who burns his finger cooking the heart of the dragon Fafnir and subsequently gains the ability to understand the conversation of birds 14 Notes Edit a b c Scowcroft R Mark 1995 Abstract Narrative in Ireland Eriu 46 152 153 JSTOR 30007878 Meyer 1910 Fianaigecht Introduction Twelfth Century p xxviii Murphy 1953 Duanaire Finn 3 p xxxiv lxv etc Cited by Scowcroft 1 O Donovan 1859 pp 281 304 Meyer 1881 pp 195 204 508 Meyer 1904 pp 180 190 Nagy 1985 Mackillop Dictionary of Celtic Mythology p 318 Macgnimartha Finn Curtin Jeremiah ed 1890 Birth of Fin Maccumhail Myths and Folk lore of Ireland Little Brown pp 204 220 Brown 1921 p 666 note 3 Meyer 1904 tr The Boyish Exploits of Finn pp 185 186 Meyer 1904 tr The Boyish Exploits of Finn pp 180 190 Brown 1921 p 665 note 3 Meyer Kuno 1866 The Fight of Castle Knoc Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts Macmillan and Company pp 216 222 Nagy Joseph Falaky 1980 Intervention and Disruption in the Myths of Finn and Sigurd Eriu 31 121 131 JSTOR 30008217References EditBrown Arthur C L April 1921 The Grail and the English Sir Perceval Continued Modern Philology 18 12 661 673 doi 10 1086 387378 JSTOR 433353 S2CID 161342899 lt ref gt Meyer Kuno 1881 Macgnimartha Find Revue Celtique 5 195 204 508 Meyer Kuno 1904 The Boyish Exploits of Finn tr of Macgnimartha Find Eriu 1 180 190 Nagy Joseph Falaky 1985 The Wisdom of the Outlaw Boyhood Deeds of Finn in Gaelic Narrative Tradition Berkeley University of California Press O Donovan John 1859 The Boyish Exploits of Finn mac Cumhaill Mac gnimartha Finn mac Cumaill Transactions of the Ossianic Society 4 281 304 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn amp oldid 1084946008, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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