Motif
fatal combat between former friends
fatal_combat_between_former_friends
A motif of the Sacred Combat and Ritual Warfare family, within the sub-family Treachery and Forbidden Kin Combat. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
2 occurrences
1 traditions
celtic irish
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Heroic Romances of Ireland ACCORDING TO THE GLENN MASAIN VERSION / ALSO THE CONCLUSION OF THE TALE FROM THE SAME VERSION / THE COMBAT AT THE FORD / INTRODUCTION; lines 4638-4720 confidence: high
The passage says Cuchulain’s concern for his country outweighs his feeling for his friend, that he appeals to Ferdia to abandon his purpose during the first three days, and that on the fourth day he withholds his full strength at first and uses the Gae-Bulg only when driven to it.
Cuchulain and Ferdia are described as former friends, with Cuchulain repeatedly appealing to Ferdia and pitying his inevitable fate.
read in the book → -
The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge XVIII / HERE NOW IS TOLD THE MISTHROW AT BELACH EOIN. / HERE NOW FOLLOWETH THE DISGUISING OF TAMON / HERE NOW COMETH THE HEAD-PLACE OF FERCHU; lines 11438-11620 confidence: high
Cuchulain stands over Ferdiad, says the men of Erin deceived and abandoned him, compares this combat with the combat against Oenfer Aife/Conlaech, recalls dwelling with Scathach and their friendship, and says Finnabair was shown to Ferdiad.
Cuchulain recalls that he and Ferdiad once dwelt with Scathach and expected their friendship never to end, yet Ferdiad has died by Cuchulain's hand.
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