Cuchulain: A Literary Instrument of the Gaelic Revival

This paper is on the role that the mythological figure Cuchulain played in the Gaelic Revival in Ireland. It explores how this character was used in both the literature of the Revival as well as how the figure of Cuchulain was used in newspapers and politics as a propaganda tool. The paper also assess how the figure of Cuchulain was portrayed in his physical appearance, his relationships with women and his countrymen, and how he was viewed by his peers and his enemies. Because many people have used Cuchulain for literary reasons and for propaganda it is interesting to see what elements of the figure have been used and for what purposes. This paper also puts the use of the figure of Cuchulain into context at all possible times to identify the intent that the use of the figure was meant to portray. This includes identifying the important political events that occurred in both Britain and Ireland. This paper looks at several interpretations of Cuchulain by several authors who have utilized the figure in their works during the Gaelic Revival. This paper demonstrates that Cuchulain was more than just a literary hero to the Irish people; he was a figure that transcended time and they believed he could help Ireland reach its political goals