By Jovan Stipić

PART  2

DEIRDRE AND NAOISE

In the last article, we discussed one of my favorite topics in literature: women in Celtic mythology. Today, we’ll continue this topic and examine a few other myths that depict different aspects of women in these timeless tales.

Last time, we explored the dynamic between Maedb and Findbair, illustrating the stark dualities often found in Celtic mythology. That discussion highlighted how Celtic women were portrayed as independent, fully realized characters. Now, as we delve into the myth of Deirdre and Naoise, we’ll consider whether they had any control over whom they could pledge themselves to. But if you’ve paid close attention to the last article (and I trust my readers are far from foolish—correct me if I’m wrong), I suspect you already know the answer to that question

Also known as Deirdre of the Sorrows (with a name like that, optimism isn’t exactly in the cards, is it?), her fate was sealed at birth when a druid prophesied that her beauty would bring ruin to her and all who loved her. Even as a child, she caught the eye of King Conchobhar (I know, mate…), who, smitten, asked for her hand in marriage. To be fair, he promised to wait until she came of age—after all, we’re not complete barbarians.

Deirdre, however, had her heart set on someone else—a young warrior named Naoise. Though shy and doubtful of his worthiness, Deirdre took matters into her own hands and arranged a meeting. Like Findbhair and Fraech, the two eloped and married. Now, elopement is such a common and recurring theme in Celtic mythology that I won’t dive into it here, as this series is already lengthy enough (and yes, spoiler: there’s a part 3). But rest assured, we’ll explore that trope in depth in a future article, where we can unpack what those elements of the story may have truly symbolized.

Naoise is later tricked by Conchobar and killed in a cowardly surprise attack, after which he forces Deirdre to marry him. But she is his wife in body only. A once cheerful woman has now turned into an unsmiling husk that feels nothing but hatred towards him. But Conchobar has one insult planned for her. He divorces her and marries her to the man who killed her husband. Deirdre refuses to be humiliated further and throws herself head first from a chariot while going to the wedding. Killing herself. After she and Naoise are buried, two pine trees grow upon their graves and intertwine to symbolize that nothing can part them.

Though the ending is tragic, it’s yet another example of a woman choosing her own husband and even making the first move. Deirdre is fully in control of her destiny, and it takes a king to strip her of her happiness and force a marriage upon her—one she fiercely rejects. In the end, she chooses to live eternally with the man she loves rather than spend her life with someone she didn’t choose. As with many myths, there are variations; in some versions, they live happily ever after and even have a daughter named Aigrene (which translates to 'Ray of Sunshine'—honestly, one of the sweetest names for a child I’ve ever heard).

However, not all women in Celtic mythology were gray like Maedb nor as loyal and determined as Deirdre and Findbhair. As we’ve mentioned before, the women of Celtic mythology are, first and foremost, human. Not idolized nor sheltered of evil deeds. In our next article, we’ll take a look at one or two such women and maybe deduce a thing or two. Fair warning before the next article: Girl Bosses and Mary Sues fans will be disappointed and (hopefully) offended.

Until next time, my dear reader. Do think of me once or twice. Preferably every day.