Foundation myths, whether of nations,
dynasties or cities, have been at the heart of western culture since classical
times. Europe’s archetypal national foundation myth was the subject of Virgil’s
Aeneid. Present in Virgil’s poem are three key elements which appear
repeatedly in western foundation myths: the wanderer/outsider making good; the
foundation prompted by divine prophecy or visions, and the planting, by the ‘chosen
people’ of their new (and often superior) culture in a foreign land. Most medieval
states, cities and dynasties were comparative newcomers, and many sought to
obscure their uncomfortably recent origins in a cloud of myth.
Troy provided the ideal means to do
this. In medieval England, the Trojan myth received perhaps its most elaborate
and fantastical development. The original source for the English tradition was probably
the 9th century Historia Brittonum, (Pseudo-Nennius). This
original story was greatly expanded by Geoffrey of Monmouth who begins his own work
with an account of Brutus, or Brute, Aeneas’s grandson, who is expelled from
Italy with his followers, and wanders the Mediterranean. In a vision, the
goddess Diana tells Brutus that his destiny is to lead the Trojans to an island
in the west, where he shall found a race of kings. Brutus eventually realises
the prophecy, founding Britain, and supplanting its primitive native giants.
Thus, Brutus’s tale exhibits the ‘Virgilian’ topoi of the outsider,
divine intervention and colonisation.
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| Brutus of Troy, represented here as founder of London |
A myth seldom contains dates and has no reason to prove itself as factual, its mere existence assumes it is. Wace’s Brut contains all the elements of a fantastical myth, one that lays the foundation for Britain. Firstly, there is the divine prophecy, by way of the goddess’ spiritual intervention, which claims Brutus’ importance in shaping Britain as a place that would one day have the same historical significance as Troy. Secondly, there are references to the fantastical, as one man is said to have killed 600 foes by his own hand. The passage serves as a sound myth for the foundation of Britain because it contains all the elements of a story, good triumphs over evil, giants are slain and divine prophecies are adhered to.
ReplyDeleteAs with most myths of any kind, the reading from Wace’s Brut features supernatural beings and is set in a time that predates any actual records. The presence of the goddess Diane and the conquering of giants in the land of Albion exemplify this and contribute to making it a good foundation myth. What I think makes the story of Brutus a perfect foundational myth however is that the creation of Britain is a result of human achievement. Brutus is able to overcome many hardships and challenges and finally reaches the island, where he then defeats the dangerous and wild giants. This human triumph and the fulfillment of the goddess’ prophesy allow for this story to be the perfect foundation myth from Britain.
ReplyDeleteThe poetic flow of Wace's Brut, gives the sense that the story is read out loud to an audience. This way the story can come to life. The myth seems perfect as a foundational myth because it tells the story of a mans destiny who defeats the unimaginable. The use of goddess dreams, giants,epic battles, super human like strength and a happy ending, all add to the making of a myth that gives Britain a mystical beginning.
ReplyDeleteElouise Johnson
As outlined, the three elements that comprise a foundation myth are the wanderer/outsider figure who makes good, the foundation laid out by a divine prophecy, and the planting of a new culture in a foreign land by the chosen people. All the aforementioned elements are present within Wace's Brutus, thus making it the perfect foundation myth for Britain . We are introduced to our hero, Brutus, who had a vision of the goddess Diana in his sleep, who told him that he was to sail to an island in the west named Albion, where he would first encounter giants and later found a new Troy, and from him would come a royal line. This prophecy outlines the story to come, and gives explanation and some legitimacy to the founding of Britain; Brutus, grandson of Aeneas (founder of Rome), by divine intervention is chosen to lead the Trojans to a new land where they will instill their culture. The myth served the Britons well as it gave them an 'honourable and civilized past'. These stories cultures tell themselves account for all aspects of the origin of its people, including how certain places earned their name. As Emma mentioned, the myth also contains those fantastical elements of good storytelling which we so love, who can resist giants and Sirens and fearless warriors?
ReplyDeleteHaha, I just read your comment Lana and realised it's very similar to mine - promise I didn't steal your work!
DeleteAs mentioned above, many western foundation myths follow the tradition of Virgil's Aeneid by incorporating three elements: the outsider/wanderer succeeding, the divine as justification, and a group of 'chosen people' bringing forth their a foreign, superior culture to new lands. Wace's Le Roman de Brut incorporates all of these. Brutus, is the outsider hero from whom 'will come a royal line', the Roman goddess Diana indicates to Brutus 'which region he could seek and find, one god and peaceful to inhabit', and indicates to Brutus that the land will be 'a new Troy'. By incorporating these three elements, Wace's poem adheres to foundation myth tradition, however it is also written in beautiful poetic language, ensuring it would be passed down in oral tradition, allowing it to gain popularity and longevity.
ReplyDeleteHowever, what I find interesting is that it draws on a Roman divinity rather than a Christian one. I know it's following an already established tradition, but surely a Christian foundation myth would've had more sway in medieval Britain - unless that would be viewed as sacriligeous? I'm not sure...
As all of you have already pointed out, Wace's Brut contains the essential elements of a well constructed myth. The fantastical components, the super human feats, the ultimate victory and the use of traditional verse form allow for this fable to become the perfect foundation myth from Britain.
ReplyDelete