Date of Award

2004

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Campus-Only Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Individually Designed

Advisor

Kristina Passman

Second Committee Member

Jay Bregman

Third Committee Member

Kristin Langellier

Abstract

This dissertation argues that the great twelfth-century Irish Epic Táin Bó Cuailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley) cannot be read with understanding without first addressing the remscela, or foretales, that set the context for the Táin itself. The remscela create a rationale for the actions depicted in the Táin. They also serve to establish the fact that the Táin action is the result of Other World involvement in human affairs. This dissertation uses the 1969 English translation by Thomas Kinsella and challenges his omission of some of the remscéla. Kinsella's decision to present a battle of the sexes story allowed for a popularization of the text, but it failed to address the sacred nature of the story.

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