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The Tain Affair
When Ailill’s charioteer confirms to Ailill that in fact Medb and Fergus are sleeping together, why does Ailill seem to be okay with this and why does he say “It’s right for her, she did it to help the campaign” (61).
I wish I could explain "why" Ailill says what he says... considering the fact that this whole war was brought about over Medb's greed and the fact that she wasn't equal to him in possessions. I would think that he would LIKE the fact that he had "more".
ReplyDeleteThis comment didn't surprise me when I read it, since they both offer their daughter, Finnabair, to anyone that might fight Cuchulainn for them and Medb promises the gift of her thighs just as often.
I think it shows Ailill's support for his wife, not as an act of love and respect, but mostly out of a fear of what she might do to him. Ailill seems like an after-thought in most of The Tain; he seems to rarely contribute anything to the story. And being a man, he must support his army and "the campaign".
I think the fact that it was okay was just because of the culture of the time. It seems like Ailill was just looking for an advantage in the war he was involved in and viewed it as a helpful even for his side. Also, their marriage probably more of a contract then a loving relationship so Ailill not being jealous of Fergus was because he was not in love with Medb. I think in any other myth this would be an issue but in Celtic mythology it does not seem to be a serious crime to cheat on your spouse.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read that part of the story I was a little astounded that, being her husband he would react like that. But She did say when marrying: one of the qualities she was looking for was for her husband to not be jealous because she always had "someone waiting waiting in his shadow" (p. 4). And that proves that Ailill was NOT jealous, but also he must have really wanted to win if he was stooping low enough to allow his wife to be adulterous in order to gain advantage in the war. And to think, my boyfriend wont allow me work at Hooters.
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