The Epics of Celtic Ireland by Jean Markale

The Epics of Celtic Ireland by Jean Markale

A world-renowned Celtic historian restores the classic Irish epics to their original sacred context.

- Restores the true Celtic morality and sentiment to these tales, which were expurgated by Christian monks.

- Reveals how deeply these mythic tales have shaped modern sensibility.

- Shows how the ancient Celtic tradition provides answers to contemporary spiritual needs.

Some of the most powerfully moving tales in Western literature are to be found in the epics of Celtic Ireland. Heroes and heroines like Finn Mac Cool, Grainne, and Cuchulainn are now familiar names, and their exploits have even been novelized for the contemporary reader. But the value of these stories extends far beyond mere entertainment. In Celtic myth the adventure of a hero and a warrior is not only an instinctive search for answers to the great human metaphysical problems, but also a palpable, even sensual experience. The dividing line between sacred and profane is forever shifting in ways that can be shocking, if not incomprehensible, to a person accustomed to the logical systems based on classical thought.

Distrustful of the written word, Celtic druids forbade anything involving their tradition from being put into writing. However, Christian monks chose to preserve all they could of the oral tradition on paper. Unfortunately, they did not hesitate to alter what they couldn't comprehend, or what their Christian sensibilities found shocking. In this collection of some of the most important narratives in the rich Irish tradition, Jean Markale restores these texts to their original form and reveals how the Celtic spirit is on the verge of reclaiming its rights.

Jean Markale has spent a lifetime studying Celtic civilizations as a poet, philosopher, historian, and storyteller. He has written almost 40 volumes about pre-Christian societies, including The Celts, Merlin, Ladies of the Celts, and King of the Celts. He resides in the French area of Brittany.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780892818150
ISBN 10	0892818158
Title	The Epics of Celtic Ireland
Author	Jean Markale
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Year published	2000-07-26
Number of pages	224
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.