Examples Of Heroism In The Tain

The variety of characters in The Táin provide examples of what the ancient Irish defined as heroes. Each character was different and represented ideas and people groups that could be found at the time. Medb may be an unlikely first choice for a hero, but she held an important purpose in the novel by serving as a women who had a substantial amount of power and was not afraid to get her hands dirty. Cúchulainn was the hero that all of Ireland wants to remember, fighting a battle against an entire army to protect those who could not protect themselves. Medb and Cúchulainn were heroes for opposite sides of the war, but Fergus mac Róich is considered a hero despite his involvement with both sides. Heroes are not defined by any set definitions; instead, as characters such as Medb, Cúchulainn, and Fergus demonstrate, heroism is defined by individual actions and motivations. Throughout the epic, Medb appears to be one of the most dishonorable people in all of Ireland. While her methods at times are questionable, Medb is forced into corners by her society, and does her …show more content…
Cúchulainn did not break any honor codes in his use of the gae bolga because it was used as a last resort, and Ferdia was prepared for it. Cúchulainn tried to avoid the fight at every possible point that he could. He constantly pleaded to Ferdia to call of the fight because fighting against his foster-brother was something that he could not bear. The fight was so destroying to Cúchulainn that when it finished, he “Must live to mourn [his] everlasting loss” (199). Cúchulainn would have never done something dishonorable if he had any choice in the matter. Cúchulainn was the definition of an underdog, and rose up to defeat an entire army. He fought fairly and went about his burdens with dignity, contributing to his heroism as defined by ancient Irish