Bibliography

Doris (Doris Rita)
Edel

62 publications between 1980 and 2021 indexed
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Works authored

Edel, Doris, Inside the Táin: exploring Cú Chulainn, Fergus, Ailill, and Medb, Berlin: curach bhán, 2015. xii + 372 pp.  
abstract:
This is the first literary-critical study of the Táin Bó Cúailnge in its entirety, and as an autonomous literary work. The key to a more deeply probing understanding of the semiliterate epic is the study of its characters: what they do and why they do it – why more important than what. Why reveals the differences between the various versions. Most promising is the multilayered Recension I, mainly preserved in Lebor na hUidre, which testifies of the keen interest of its compilers in the portrayal of the characters, while the version in the Book of Leinster, with its tendency to omit what might lessen the heroes’ prestige, pays for its greater unity with loss of depth. The multifacetedness of the characters in the early version, combined with the deceptive simplicity of the plot, lends the work a remarkable pragmatism. Despite occasional baroque descriptions of battle frenzy, the main heroes Cú Chulainn and Fergus embody a heroism reined in by prudence. All through the war they do everything in their power to limit the use of force. Ailill and Medb represent a new type of ruler-entrepreneur, who seeks to realize his aim at the lowest possible cost and accepts failure matter-of-factly. So the epic has no fatal end-point. The greater part of the two armies are able return to their countries. The theme of mutual destruction is relegated to the Battle of the Bulls. The lasting antagonism between the North and the remainder of the island must have endowed the Táin with contemporary significance at various points in time, as the allusions to (near-)contemporary events suggest.
(source: publisher)
abstract:
This is the first literary-critical study of the Táin Bó Cúailnge in its entirety, and as an autonomous literary work. The key to a more deeply probing understanding of the semiliterate epic is the study of its characters: what they do and why they do it – why more important than what. Why reveals the differences between the various versions. Most promising is the multilayered Recension I, mainly preserved in Lebor na hUidre, which testifies of the keen interest of its compilers in the portrayal of the characters, while the version in the Book of Leinster, with its tendency to omit what might lessen the heroes’ prestige, pays for its greater unity with loss of depth. The multifacetedness of the characters in the early version, combined with the deceptive simplicity of the plot, lends the work a remarkable pragmatism. Despite occasional baroque descriptions of battle frenzy, the main heroes Cú Chulainn and Fergus embody a heroism reined in by prudence. All through the war they do everything in their power to limit the use of force. Ailill and Medb represent a new type of ruler-entrepreneur, who seeks to realize his aim at the lowest possible cost and accepts failure matter-of-factly. So the epic has no fatal end-point. The greater part of the two armies are able return to their countries. The theme of mutual destruction is relegated to the Battle of the Bulls. The lasting antagonism between the North and the remainder of the island must have endowed the Táin with contemporary significance at various points in time, as the allusions to (near-)contemporary events suggest.
(source: publisher)
Edel, Doris, Off the mainstream: a literature in search of its criteria, Utrecht: Utrecht University, 2001.
Utrecht University – Farewell speech (Facultaire rede): <link>
Edel, Doris, Helden auf Freiersfüßen. 'Tochmarc Emire' und 'Mal y kavas Kulhwch Olwen'. Studien zur frühen Inselkeltischen Erzähltradition, Verhandelingen der Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen. Afd. Letterkunde N. R., 107, Amsterdam, 1980.

Theses

Edel, Doris, “Helden auf Freiersfüßen. 'Tochmarc Emire' und 'Mal y kavas Kulhwch Olwen'. Studien zur frühen Inselkeltischen Erzähltradition”, PhD thesis, Utrecht University, 1980.

Works edited

Edel, Doris (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001.  
comments: The bibliography occupies pp. 291-309.
comments: The bibliography occupies pp. 291-309.
Edel, Doris (ed.), Cultural identity and cultural integration: Ireland and Europe in the early Middle Ages, Blackrock: Four Courts Press, 1995.
Edel, Doris, W. P. Gerritsen, and Kees Veelenturf (eds), Monniken, ridders en zeevaarders: opstellen over vroeg-middeleeuwse Ierse cultuur en Middelnederlandse letterkunde; aangeboden aan Maartje Draak; met een bibliografie van haar publikaties alsmede een autobiografische bijdrage, Amsterdam: Gerard Timmer Prods, 1988.
Gerritsen, W. P., Doris Edel, and M. de Kreek (eds), De wereld van Sint Brandaan, Utrecht: Hes, 1986.

Contributions to journals

Edel, Doris, “Literature and empowerment: the sexual relationships in Acallam na senórach”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 68 (2021): 121–166.
Edel, Doris, “Medb of Crúachain and the Empress Matilda: literature and politics in 12th-century Leinster”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 64 (2017): 19–58.
Edel, Doris, “Off the mainstream: a literature in search of its criteria”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 58 (2011): 23–44.  
comments: Revised edition of valedictory lecture, held on 14 December 2001.
comments: Revised edition of valedictory lecture, held on 14 December 2001.
Edel, Doris, “‘Bodily matters’ in early Irish narrative literature”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 55 (2006–2007): 69–107.
Edel, Doris, “ [Review of: Honko, Lauri, Textualising the Siri Epic, Folklore Fellows' Communications, 264, Helsinki: Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia, 1998.]”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 53 (2003): 348–353.
Edel, Doris, “Nineteenth-century national and gender determinism and the reception of early Irish literature”, Études Irlandaises 27:2 (2002): 161–179.
Edel, Doris R., “Ergänzung zu ZCP 49–50”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 51 (1999): 211.
Edel, Doris, “De Ierse achtergronden van de Reis van Sint Brandaan”, Nederlandse Letterkunde 2 (1997): 365–373.
Dbnl.org: <link>
Edel, Doris R., “Caught between history and myth? The figures of Fergus and Medb in the Táin Bó Cúailgne and related matter”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 49–50 (1997): 143–169.
Edel, Doris, “Nekrolog: In memoriam Prof. Dr. Maartje Draak (1907–1995)”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 48 (1996): 296–297.
Edel, Doris, “Táin Bó Cúailnge and the dynamics of the matter of Ulster”, Études Celtiques 29 (1992): 161–169.  
abstract:
[FR] Táin Bó Cúailnge et la dynamique de la matière d’Ulster.
Depuis l’édition monumentale de la Táin Bó Cúailnge par Ernst Windisch en 1905, on a lancé un certain nombre de théories pour expliquer comment cette épopée, capitale dans la littérature irlandaise, est arrivée à l’existence, et néanmoins les celtisants n’ont pas réellement saisi et dominé (les différentes versions de) l’œuvre elle-même. Si importants que soient le débat opposant l’oral et le littéraire, et des questions comme la représentation (Weltbild) de l’Irlande médiévale ou le fonctionnement de la littérature irlandaise ancienne dans son contexte européen, ces problèmes ne doivent pas servir d’excuse pour ne pas examiner attentivement les textes eux-mêmes. L’auteur répond aux deux questions suivantes : (1) Qu’est ce que la structure (Bauplan ) de la version ancienne de la Táin nous apprend sur la genèse (Entstehungsgeschichte ) de l’œuvre ? ; (2) quel était le rapport entre la Táin et la «matière d’Ulster» dans son intégralité ?

[EN] Since Ernst Windisch’s monumental edition of the Táin Bó Cúailnge in 1905, a number of theories have been launched to explain how this central epic of Irish literature came into being, but still Celticists have not come to grips with the (various versions of the) work itself. However important the orality-literacy debate and matters like the mentality (Weltbild ) of early medieval Ireland and the functioning of early Irish literature in its European context are, these problems do not absolve Celticists from taking a close look at the texts themselves. In this paper I shall try to answer the following two questions : (1) What does the structure (Bauplan ) of the oldest version of the Táin teach us about the genesis (Entstehungsgeschichte ) of the work ? ; (2) what was the relation between the Táin and the matter of Ulster as a whole ?
Persée – Études Celtiques, vol. 29, 1992: <link>
abstract:
[FR] Táin Bó Cúailnge et la dynamique de la matière d’Ulster.
Depuis l’édition monumentale de la Táin Bó Cúailnge par Ernst Windisch en 1905, on a lancé un certain nombre de théories pour expliquer comment cette épopée, capitale dans la littérature irlandaise, est arrivée à l’existence, et néanmoins les celtisants n’ont pas réellement saisi et dominé (les différentes versions de) l’œuvre elle-même. Si importants que soient le débat opposant l’oral et le littéraire, et des questions comme la représentation (Weltbild) de l’Irlande médiévale ou le fonctionnement de la littérature irlandaise ancienne dans son contexte européen, ces problèmes ne doivent pas servir d’excuse pour ne pas examiner attentivement les textes eux-mêmes. L’auteur répond aux deux questions suivantes : (1) Qu’est ce que la structure (Bauplan ) de la version ancienne de la Táin nous apprend sur la genèse (Entstehungsgeschichte ) de l’œuvre ? ; (2) quel était le rapport entre la Táin et la «matière d’Ulster» dans son intégralité ?

[EN] Since Ernst Windisch’s monumental edition of the Táin Bó Cúailnge in 1905, a number of theories have been launched to explain how this central epic of Irish literature came into being, but still Celticists have not come to grips with the (various versions of the) work itself. However important the orality-literacy debate and matters like the mentality (Weltbild ) of early medieval Ireland and the functioning of early Irish literature in its European context are, these problems do not absolve Celticists from taking a close look at the texts themselves. In this paper I shall try to answer the following two questions : (1) What does the structure (Bauplan ) of the oldest version of the Táin teach us about the genesis (Entstehungsgeschichte ) of the work ? ; (2) what was the relation between the Táin and the matter of Ulster as a whole ?
Edel, Doris, “Rhai sylwadau ar arddull Peredur a pherthynas y chwedl Gymraeg â Perceval Chrétien”, Llên Cymru 14 (1981–1984): 52–63.
Edel, Doris, “Geoffrey’s so-called animal symbolism and Insular Celtic tradition”, Studia Celtica 18–19 (1983–1984): 96–109.
Edel, Doris, “The Arthur of Culhwch and Olwen as a figure of epic-heroic tradition”, Reading Medieval Studies 9 (1983): 3–15.
Edel, Doris, “The catalogues in Culhwch ac Olwen and insular Celtic learning”, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies 30 (1983): 253–267.
Edel, Doris, “Note: Máeláin Muilchi”, Peritia 1 (1982): 297–298.

Contributions to edited collections or authored works

Edel, Doris, “What did Ailill and Medb really quarrel about? A legal approach to the ‘Pillow Talk’”, in: Raimund Karl, and Katharina Möller (eds), Proceedings of the second European Symposium in Celtic Studies: held at Prifysgol Bangor University from July 31st to August 3rd 2017, Hagen/Westfalen: curach bhán, 2018. 131–140.
Edel, Doris, “Warum die Erforschung der Kelten den Dialog zwischen Archäologen und Textwissenschaftlern braucht”, in: Dirk Brandherm (ed.), Memento dierum antiquorum...: Festschrift für Majolie Lenerz-de Wilde zum 70. Geburtstag, 1, Hagen/Westfalen: curach bhán, 2017. 153–159.
Edel, Doris, “Joyce and the demythologization of the Irish past”, in: Cathinka Hambro, and Lars Ivar Widerøe (eds), Lochlann: Festskrift til Jan Erik Rekdal på 60-årsdagen / Aistí in ómós do Jan Erik Rekdal ar a 60ú lá breithe, Oslo: Hermes Academic, 2013. 139–152.
Edel, Doris, “Cú Chulainn on the couch: character portrayal in Táin bó Cúailnge”, in: Gregory Toner, and Séamus Mac Mathúna (eds), Ulidia 3: proceedings of the Third International Conference on the Ulster Cycle of Tales, University of Ulster, Coleraine 22–25 June, 2009. In memoriam Patrick Leo Henry, Berlin: curach bhán, 2013. 127–136.
Edel, Doris, “The theme of incest in the older literature of Ireland”, in: Stefan Zimmer (ed.), Kelten am Rhein: Akten des dreizehnten Internationalen Keltologiekongresses, 23. bis 27. Juli 2007 in Bonn, 2 vols, vol. 2: Philologie: Sprachen und Literaturen, Mainz: Philipp von Zabern, 2009. 45–61.
Edel, Doris, “Charakterzeichnung in der Táin bó Cúailnge am Beispiel des exilierten Fergus”, in: Helmut Birkhan (ed.), Kelten-Einfälle an der Donau. Akten des Vierten Symposiums deutschsprachiger Keltologinnen und Keltologen ... Linz/Donau, 17.-21. Juli 2005, Denkschriften, Vienna: Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 2007. 183–193.
Edel, Doris, “Keltische Literatur”, in: Stefan Zimmer (ed.), Die Kelten – Mythos und Wirklichkeit, Stuttgart: Theiss-Verlag, 2004. 122–160, 204.
Edel, Doris, “The status and development of the vernacular in early medieval Ireland”, in: Werner Verbeke, and Michèle Goyens (eds), The dawn of the written vernacular in western Europe, Leuven: Leuven University Press, 2003. 351–377.
Edel, Doris, “An emerging legal system in an embryonic state: the case of early medieval Ireland”, in: Ferdinand J. M. Feldbrugge (ed.), The law’s beginnings, Leiden and Boston: Martinus Nijhoff, 2003. 59–76.
Edel, Doris, “Stability and fluidity in the transmission of narrative texts: the delineation of characters in Táin bó Cúailnge”, in: Próinséas Ní Chatháin, and Michael Richter (eds), Ireland and Europe in the early Middle Ages: texts and transmissions / Irland und Europa im früheren Mittelalter: Texte und Überlieferung, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2002. 313–325.
Edel, Doris, “Early Irish queens and royal power: a first reconnaissance”, in: Michael Richter, and Jean-Michel Picard (eds), Ogma: essays in Celtic studies in honour of Próinséas Ní Chatháin, Dublin: Four Courts, 2002. 1–19.
Edel, Doris, “Myth versus reality: Queen Medb of Connacht and her critics, ancient and modern”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 153–176.
Edel, Doris, “Usque ad ultimum terrae. The Christianization of Ireland: a learned culture between conflict and integration”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 112–120.
Edel, Doris, “Common people in early Ireland”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 51–63.
Edel, Doris, “Geoffrey's so-called animal symbolism and insular-Celtic tradition”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 264–279.
Edel, Doris, “Táin bó Cúailnge and the dynamics of the matter of Ulster”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 208–215.  
Reprint.
Reprint.
Edel, Doris, “The Christianization of medieval Europe: Willibrord”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 121–136.
Edel, Doris, “Women in Celtic culture”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 35–50.
Edel, Doris, “Text and memory”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 227–230.
Edel, Doris, “Church and lay society in Anglo-Saxon Britain: Northumbria and its neighbours before and after 634/35 A.D.”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 137–152.
Edel, Doris, “Sea-voyages and visions: the exploration of the Otherworld”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 64–79.
Edel, Doris, “Mental text, landscape, politics, and written codification: the Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 231–238.
Edel, Doris, “The insular-Celtic narrative tradition between orality and literacy”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 177–196.
Edel, Doris, “Antipodes, anchors, and a world-under-the-water”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 80–93.
Edel, Doris, “Preface”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 11–13.
Edel, Doris, “The Arthur of Culhwch ac Olwen as a figure of epic-heroic tradition”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 239–247.
Edel, Doris, “The concept of the Lord of Animals in the early epic literature of Ireland”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 197–207.
Edel, Doris, “The Irish background of the legend of Brendan”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 94–111.
Edel, Doris, “Identity and integration: Ireland in the early Middle Ages”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 19–34.
Edel, Doris, “The catalogues in Culhwch ac Olwen and insular-Celtic learning”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 248–263.
Edel, Doris, “The Táin bó Cúailnge between orality and literacy: prolegomena to a history of its development”, in: Doris Edel (ed.), The Celtic west and Europe: studies in Celtic literature and the early Irish church, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001. 216–226.
Edel, Doris, “Die Táin bó Cúailnge zwischen Mündlichkeit und Schriftlichkeit: Prolegomena zu einer Geschichte ihrer Entwicklung”, in: Martin Rockel, and Stefan Zimmer (eds), Akten des ersten Symposiums Deutschsprachiger Keltologen (Gosen bei Berlin, 8.–10. April 1992), 11, Tübingen: Niemeyer, 1993. 83–99.
Edel, Doris, “Die inselkeltische Erzähltradition zwischen Mündlichkeit und Schriftlichkeit”, in: Stephen N. Tranter, and Hildegard L. C. Tristram (eds), Early Irish literature — media and communication / Mündlichkeit und Schriftlichkeit in der frühen irischen Literatur, 10, Tübingen: Narr, 1989. 99–124.
Edel, Doris, “De plaats van Maartje Draak in de keltologie”, in: Doris Edel, W. P. Gerritsen, and Kees Veelenturf (eds), Monniken, ridders en zeevaarders: opstellen over vroeg-middeleeuwse Ierse cultuur en Middelnederlandse letterkunde; aangeboden aan Maartje Draak; met een bibliografie van haar publikaties alsmede een autobiografische bijdrage, Amsterdam: Gerard Timmer Prods, 1988. 9–16.
Edel, Doris, and Leni van Strien-Gerritsen, “Usque ad ultimum terrae: de kerstening van Ierland”, in: René Stuip, and Cees Vellekoop (eds), Culturen en contact: botsing en integratie in de middeleeuwen, 8, Utrecht: HES, 1986. 108–128.
Edel, Doris, “De Keltische traditie: de verkenning van de andere wereld”, in: R. E. V. Stuip, and C. Vellekoop [eds.], Visioenen, 6, Utrecht: HES, 1986. 98–120.
Edel, Doris, “Ierse achtergronden”, in: W. P. Gerritsen, Doris Edel, and M. de Kreek (eds), De wereld van Sint Brandaan, Utrecht: Hes, 1986. 11–35.  
comments: On the Irish backgrounds to the St Brendan legend in Europe.
comments: On the Irish backgrounds to the St Brendan legend in Europe.
Edel, Doris, “Antipoden, ankers en een wereld-onder-het-water”, in: A. M. J. van Buuren, H. van Dijk, O. S. H. Lie, and F. P. van Oostrom (eds), Tussentijds: bundel studies aangeboden aan W. P. Gerritsen ter gelegenheid van zijn vijftigste verjaardag, 5, Utrecht: HES Uitgevers, 1985. 101–114, 339–342.