Irish Fairy Tales · Chapter
XVII explained
Mongan and his servant mac an Dáv, along with their wives, are confronted by a hag guarding jewels who begins to speak of terrible visions.
What happens
Mongan and his servant mac an Dáv, along with their wives, are confronted by a hag guarding jewels who begins to speak of terrible visions. Mongan uses magic to confuse her, then tricks her into sitting on a spike, killing her. Tibraidè and his men arrive, but Mongan deceives the household into believing Tibraidè is Mongan, leading to an attack on Tibraidè's party. The King of Leinster later learns the truth from Duv Laca, who reveals Mongan is her husband, causing the king to realize he has attacked the wrong men.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because Duv Laca’s declaration of love and her simultaneous imposition of a year-l…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Transformation and Identity
Mongan's magical breath alters the hag's perception, and he deceives others by claiming Tibraidè is himself, playing with identity and appearance.
- Honor and Betrayal
The King of Leinster's mistaken attack on Tibraidè's men leads to a breach of hospitality and honor, later regretted when the truth emerges.
Characters to notice
- Mongan
Uses magic to confuse the hag and orchestrates the deception that leads to an attack on Tibraidè.
- Mac an Dáv
Assists Mongan by pushing the hag onto the spike and opening the door for Tibraidè.
- Duv Laca
Reveals to the King of Leinster that Mongan is her husband, exposing the deception.
- Tibraidè
Arrives with his men but is mistaken for Mongan and attacked by the household.
Key passages
“Terrible are the things I see,” said she. “Terrible are the things I see.”
The hag declares that she perceives dreadful visions.
The hag's ominous proclamation sets the stage for Mongan's magical intervention.
“I had an evil vision,” said she, “I saw crossways. How sad it is that I should begin to see the sort of things I thought I saw.”
The hag admits she had a distorted vision and regrets seeing such troubling things.
After Mongan's magic, the hag's perception is altered, leading her to apologize.
“There is no one has a better right to be near me than Mongan has,” said Duv Laca, “he is my own husband,” said she.”
Duv Laca asserts that Mongan, as her husband, has the rightful claim to be with her.
Duv Laca reveals the truth of Mongan's identity to the king.
