# Love and Sacrifice in Irish Fairy Tales

> Theme guide for Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens.

Love drives characters to extreme acts, such as Segda's willingness to die for Ireland, Becfola's forbidden passion for Crimthann, and Mongan's exchange of his wife Duv Laca for a herd of cows, highlighting both noble and destructive aspects of love.

## Where it surfaces

- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/i): Tuiren's marriage to Iollan Eachtach involves a stipulation for her return if unhappy, highlighting the tension between love and obligation.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iv): Fergus sacrifices his pride and comfort by hugging and kissing the hound to please Fionn, and later develops a genuine loving bond with the animal.
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/v): Iollan pledges himself to Uct Dealv to save his life, and Lugaidh proves his love to win Tuiren's hand.
- [Oisín's Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ois-n-s-mother): Fionn's love for Saeve drives his relentless search, and Saeve's sacrifice is central to the story.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ii): Fionn's overwhelming love for Saeve leads him to abandon his previous passions and duties, illustrating the consuming and transformative power of love.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iii): Fionn's overwhelming love for Saeve drives him to abandon the victory feast, showing how love can overshadow duty and glory.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iv): Fionn's deep love for his wife is evident in his grief, and Saeve's desire to meet her husband leads to her tragic transformation.
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/v): Fionn's seven-year search and his immediate love for the boy demonstrate deep love and sacrifice for Saeve.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/vi): Fionn's overwhelming love for the boy reorders his priorities, showing a deep, sacrificial devotion that surpasses all other bonds.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/vii): The deep bond between the boy and the deer, and the deer's forced departure, highlight themes of love and loss.
- [The Wooing of Becfola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-wooing-of-becfola): Becfola's love for Crimthann drives her to risk her marriage and status, though it is more about passion than sacrifice.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/i): The king's immediate attraction and proposal to the mysterious woman, while she secretly yearns for Crimthann, sets up a potential love triangle.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ii): Becfola's love for Crimthann drives her to risk everything, including her position and safety, to be with him.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iii): Becfola's infatuation with the mysterious youth and his sacrifice of his brothers and nephews for lordship highlight the intertwining of desire and loss.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iv): Dermod's gentle reproach and invitation back to bed reflect a form of love that sacrifices confrontation for harmony.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/i): Becuma's crime of running away from her husband and taking refuge with another man highlights themes of love, desire, and the consequences of betrayal.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iii): Conn's infatuation leads him to sacrifice his son's presence for a year to secure his marriage to Becuma.
- [Art's Quest for Delvcaem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ix): Art's quest for Delvcaem is driven by love, requiring him to sacrifice comfort and safety, while Credè's offer of love presents a temptation that tests his commitment.
- [Art's Ordeal in the Many-Coloured Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/x): Art's perilous journey to rescue Delvcaem, and Delvcaem's yearning for freedom and love.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/viii): The betrothal of Mongan and Duv Laca is a political arrangement that ultimately leads to their marriage.
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xi): Mongan's love for Duv Laca is evident, but he must sacrifice her to uphold his bargain, highlighting the tension between personal desire and honor.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xii): Duv Laca and Branduv's mutual love is tested by her boon, requiring sacrifice and patience.
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xiii): Mongan's overwhelming love for Duv Laca causes him to waste away, and he risks everything to win her back, showing love's power over honor and life.
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xvi): Mongan's embrace of Duv Laca and mac an Dáv's claim to the attendant suggest romantic or marital bonds.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xviii): Mongan's despair over Duv Laca and his willingness to use craft rather than war to reclaim her highlight the theme of love's trials and sacrifices.
- [The Hag of the Mill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xx): Mongan's love for Duv Laca drives his trickery, and the hag's willingness to participate in the scheme.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/themes/love_and_sacrifice
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/themes