This course offers a further discovery of Celtic stories and poems, this time featuring one of the most important texts of the Welsh medieval tradition, The Mabinogian. These tales are compiled from two late medieval manuscripts: The Red Book of Hergest and The White Book of Rydderech. This text was also representative of what is called the golden age of Welsh literature, one that flourished in the late Middle Ages. We will give attention to places in the stories where we find parallels to the three cycles of earlier Irish Celtic stories and consider how these stories shaped The Mabinogian. These are exciting stories, filled with adventure and magic. Experience the wonder of wizards (like Merlin) and knights, and of course the beautiful damsels that drive many of the interesting plots. No prior knowledge is necessary and one need not have attended Part I of this course.

Prof. Fisher will begin with some suggested approaches and observations and then time will be given for lively open conversation and sharing among the participants. Before we embark on The Mabinogian, we will begin with a reading and discussion of St. Patrick’s poetry from Part I of this course.