Ancient Wisdom Atlas

Motif

hero spares vulnerable enemy because attack would lack honour

hero_spares_vulnerable_enemy_because_attack_would_lack_honour

A motif of the Sacred Combat and Ritual Warfare family, within the sub-family Aftermath and Spoils. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.

1 occurrences

1 traditions


celtic irish

  • The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge HERE NOW THE DEER-STALKING OF AMARGIN IN TALTIU / THE ADVENTURES OF CUROI SON OF DARE FOLLOW NOW / THE REPEATED WARNING OF SUALTAIM / XXVII; lines 15481-15606 confidence: high

    Cuchulain comes upon Medb, does not attack her from behind, spares her, and says he deems it no honour to wound her from behind with his weapons.

    Cuchulain encounters Medb from behind, does not strike her, and says it is no honour to wound her from behind with weapons.

    read in the book