Motif
refused mercy before fatal single combat
refused_mercy_before_fatal_single_combat
A motif of the Sacred Combat and Ritual Warfare family, within the sub-family Champion Combat and Duel. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
celtic irish
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The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge THE MARCH OF THE HOST / THE YOUTHFUL EXPLOITS OF CUCHULAIN / THE SLAYING OF ORLAM / THE PROPOSALS; lines 5826-5958 confidence: high
Cuchulain cuts away the sod under Etarcumul's feet, throws him down, and warns him to leave, saying he would have cut him apart but for Fergus.
Cuchulain twice spares or humiliates Etarcumul and orders him to leave, but Etarcumul refuses and demands a fight to the death, after which Cuchulain kills him.
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