The Dream of Oenghus
The Celtic myth, "The Dream of Oenghus," relates the tale of Oenghus the
Celtic god of love and his long search for true love. Oenghus is the son of
Boann and Daghdhae. Boann the white cow goddess, and Daghdhae the father of all
gods, the "good god."
In a dream Oenghus sees "the loveliest figure in Ireland " His memory
of this vision makes him ill with loneliness and he begins to waste away. With
the help of his mother, and another of his fathers' sons, Bodhbh, he begins his
search for the girl he dreamt of. When, after years, he successfully completes
his search the lovers' travels to Bruigh Mac, his home.
Chronologically and geographically distant, Apuleius second century
record of the original Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche also relates a story of
amorous pursuit. In Apuleius account Psyche is the most beautiful of all
mortals. "The fame of her surpassing beauty spread over the earth and men
would even say that Venus herself could not equal this mortal." Out of
jealousy, Venus commands Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with "the vilest and
most despicable creature in the whole world." However, dispatched on his
errand Cupid is astonished by her beauty and "as if he had shot one of his
arrows into his own heart" falls 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 her
unseen paramour expresses in the dark each night. Eventually, prompted by her
unbelieving and somewhat envious sisters she lights a lamp and discovers that
her lover is Cupid. Unfortunately, Cupid hurt by both the oil sputtering from
the lamp and her faithlessness fees. Psyche deeply grieved by her lack of faith
and subsequent loss of love pledges to search for Cupid forever. "I can spend
the rest of my life searching for him. If he has no more love left for me, at
least I can show him how much I love him." Eventually after... [continues]
The Celtic myth, "The Dream of Oenghus," relates the tale of Oenghus the
Celtic god of love and his long search for true love. Oenghus is the son of
Boann and Daghdhae. Boann the white cow goddess, and Daghdhae the father of all
gods, the "good god."
In a dream Oenghus sees "the loveliest figure in Ireland " His memory
of this vision makes him ill with loneliness and he begins to waste away. With
the help of his mother, and another of his fathers' sons, Bodhbh, he begins his
search for the girl he dreamt of. When, after years, he successfully completes
his search the lovers' travels to Bruigh Mac, his home.
Chronologically and geographically distant, Apuleius second century
record of the original Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche also relates a story of
amorous pursuit. In Apuleius account Psyche is the most beautiful of all
mortals. "The fame of her surpassing beauty spread over the earth and men
would even say that Venus herself could not equal this mortal." Out of
jealousy, Venus commands Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with "the vilest and
most despicable creature in the whole world." However, dispatched on his
errand Cupid is astonished by her beauty and "as if he had shot one of his
arrows into his own heart" falls 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 her
unseen paramour expresses in the dark each night. Eventually, prompted by her
unbelieving and somewhat envious sisters she lights a lamp and discovers that
her lover is Cupid. Unfortunately, Cupid hurt by both the oil sputtering from
the lamp and her faithlessness fees. Psyche deeply grieved by her lack of faith
and subsequent loss of love pledges to search for Cupid forever. "I can spend
the rest of my life searching for him. If he has no more love left for me, at
least I can show him how much I love him." Eventually after... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
-
(1999, 10). The Dream of Oenghus. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 10, 1999, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Dream-Oenghus-2840.html
- MLA
-
"The Dream of Oenghus" StudyMode.com. 10 1999. 10 1999 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Dream-Oenghus-2840.html>.
- CHICAGO
-
"The Dream of Oenghus." StudyMode.com. 10, 1999. Accessed 10, 1999. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Dream-Oenghus-2840.html.
