The Dream of Oenghus :: essays research papers

The Dream of Oenghus     The Celtic myth, "The Dream of Oenghus," relates the tale of Oenghus theCeltic idol of love and his long bet for true love. Oenghus is the son ofBoann and Daghdhae. Boann the white scare goddess, and Daghdhae the risqueher of allgods, the "good god."     In a dream Oenghus sees "the loveliest put down in Ireland" His memoryof this vision makes him ill with loneliness and he begins to furious away. Withthe help of his mother, and another of his fathers sons, Bodhbh, he begins hissearch for the girl he dreamt of. When, afterwards years, he successfully completeshis search the lovers travels to Bruigh Mac, his home.     Chronologically and geographically distant, Apuleius second hundredrecord of the original Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche also relates a story ofamorous pursuance. In Apuleius account Psyche is the most better-looking of allmortals. "The fame of her s urpassing beaut spread over the earthand hands?would even say that genus Venus herself could not equal this mortal." Out ofjealousy, Venus commands Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with "the vilest andmost wretched creature in the whole world." However, dispatched on hiserrand Cupid is astonished by her beauty and "as if he had shot one of hisarrows into his own heart" travel completely in love with her.     Cupid dumbfounded by the love he suddenly feels carries Psyche off.Although Psyche is never able to gaze on Cupid she is confident of the love herunseen paramour expresses in the dark each(prenominal) night. Eventually, prompted by herunbelieving and somewhat envious sisters she lights a lamp and discovers thather lover is Cupid. Unfortunately, Cupid put up by both the oil sputtering fromthe lamp and her faithlessness fees. Psyche late grieved by her lack of faithand subsequent loss of love pledges to search for Cupid forever. &quo tI can spendthe rest of my life searching for him. If he has no more love left for me, atleast I can show him how much I love him." Eventually after many trials andtribulations, largely at the inspiration of the still jealous Venus, she isreunited with Cupid and comes to dwell the live of the immortals.     These myths share a common fundamental theme. In both instances, themyths document a love between a mortal and a god. Moreover, both of thecourtships involve long periods of separation, difficult and desperate journeysin pursuit of the beloved, and deep ongoing uncertainty as to the ultimateoutcome of the fat of the lovers. Clearly, it is not unreasonable to contend