Weekly Response: Week 7

I am not going to lie, I do not like Cu Chulaind. I am not exactly sure what I am missing, but I don’t see him as a hero. I have read all of the stories, and reread them after reading this week’s discussion question, and I cannot find how he can be a hero. I find that he is selfish and self-serving. We see him as he is a child and get to see him grow, and not for the better. Even as a child he as too arrogant for his own good. He showed off and those around him were impressed and not realize how harmful such power can be in a person like CuChulain. He is arrogant and very dramatic. He killed his son, although he is not the only character in these stories to do so. I know he gets drugged in the end of the last story, but I just don’t see any really good redeeming qualities about CuChulaind. It is truly unfair to compare him to Robin Hood and King Arthur. Those men fought for leagues of people. They fought for the poor, not someone who acted with no forethought. I know there has been characters in previous stories that have become love sick, literally, but for some reason, it does not seem like a true love sickness when it comes to CuChulaind when goes into his stupor. CuChulaind did have several physical characteristics that can be compared to Robin Hood and King Arthur, like his strength and his determination to follow his own path. CuChulain was also brave, but he let that confidence do to his head and cloud his judgement, were as other mentioned heroes stayed humble and grounded, allowing themselves to be true heroes. However, being handsome an arrogant does not excuse him to be a complete jerk and disregard all those around him. I know it may be an unpopular opinion, but at least this will lead to a good discussion! A retelling of the infamous character is below for you to make your own opinion