Mabinogion Set

The Fractal Structure of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi

Häftad, Engelska, 2026

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The Mabinogion Set is a book about the most famous of medieval Welsh stories: the Four Branches of the Mabinogi. It is also a book about a mathematical phenomenon: fractals. Fractals are mathematical patterns that repeat at every scale, and this study argues that, like natural fractals (snowflakes, tree branches), the Four Branches of the Mabinogi have a repeating structure. In putting forward this new theory, The Mabinogion Set proposes a new type of structural analysis: formal narrative topology, which pays attention not to themes or plot elements but to patterns of repetition within a story. The author also explores the implications of a topological analysis of the Four Branches on our understanding of their possible oral or written origins, authorship, transmission, memorability and performance.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2026-04-15
Mått138 x 216 x 17 mm
Vikt308 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
SerieUniversity of Wales Press
Antal sidor264
FörlagUniversity of Wales Press
ISBN9781837723355

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ContentsFiguresTablesAcknowledgmentsPART I: THE FOUR BRANCHES AND FRACTALSChapter 1: IntroductionMathematics and the Mabinogion SetStudying Fractal Narrative StructureThe Structure of This BookChapter 2: Introducing the Mabinogion SetLinear and Non-Linear NarrativesThe Non-Linearity of Medieval Welsh NarrativesThe Topology of Textual FractalsPART II: FRACTAL STRUCTURES IN THE FOUR BRANCHES OF THE MABINOGIChapter 3: The First Branch of the Mabinogi (Pwyll)First Branch Episode IFirst Branch Episode IIFirst Branch Episode IIIChapter 4: The Second Branch of the Mabinogi (Branwen)Second Branch Episode ISecond Branch Episode IISecond Branch Episode IIIChapter 5: The Third Branch of the Mabinogi (Manawydan)Third Branch Episode IThird Branch Episode IIThird Branch Episode IIIChapter 6: The Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi (Math)Fourth Branch Episode IFourth Branch Episode IIFourth Branch Episode IIIPART III: SPEAKING ABOUT MATH… AND MATHChapter 7: Why Four Branches?The Immanent WholeTriads and TetradsQuestions of UnityIs the Fourth Branch Special?Chapter 8: The Mabinogion Set, Orality and MemoryOral Composition?Oral PerformanceA Question of MemoryChapter 9: Conclusions. Triads EverywhereThe Law of Three and Numerical Patterns in Other Narrative TraditionsWhat Topological Analysis Tells UsWhither now?AbbreviationsBibliographyManuscriptsPrimary sourcesSecondary Sources