Reading Notes: Mabinogion Unit, Part A

(Portrait of Jeanne D'Arc by Andrew C.P. Haggard (1854-1923), taken from Wikimedia Commons)

The first story arc spans Pwyll Goes Hunting and In the Stead of Arawn, where both Pwyll and Arawn pose as each other (whether by magic or disguise is up to interpretation) and perform each other's duties for a year. I'm immediately reminded of body swap premises, which promise many comedic opportunities, especially when the two swappers are so radically different, be it in body or personality.

Or what if it weren't a story about two patriarchs, but two monarchs instead? Or a class swap between royalty and peasant?

I couldn't help but wonder if something could've gone even worse during the horseback chases in Pwyll and the Wondrous Lady. Of course, my mind turned to another fantastical creature: that of the horse variety.

Rhiannon, a badass  renegade princess refusing any attempts at arranged marriage. She just reminds me that I need to write more female protagonists.

Not to mention I've always loved the image of a lady knight. The role reversal image of a prince finding salvation in a literal iron maiden is quite an interesting one. Coupled with the idea of royalty's arranged marriage troubles, I see a new take on an old plot.

The cannibalistic plan to implicate Rhiannon for her son's disappearance is quite a visceral image. One could only imagine the suffering she went through that the story does not tell us.

A terrifying thought emerged to me: what if Rhiannon were never proved innocent? What if she held a deep vengeance within her due to being wronged? And what if that vengeance never died, even when she did?

Pwyll and Rhiannon's plot to humble and overcome Gwawl is insanely elaborate and shows great trust between the two characters. Can we take any of the previous ideas we have up above and combine them with this kind of premise as well?

Bibliography

Mythology & Folklore Mabinogion Pwyll & Taliesin Unit, translation by Lady Charlotte Guest