Description:
Banned and beloved in equal measure, The Midnight Court is a canonical eighteenth-century text widely considered to be the greatest comic Irish poem. Despite its simple story line, Merriman's poem addresses a wide range of themes, from its satirical treatment of sexuality to its biting social commentary. This volume, the first critical edition, offers readers a fluid translation and five essays that contextualize the poem, making it an ideal text for any student of eighteenth-century Irish literature. Written specifically for the nonspecialist reader, Ó Conchubhair's edition contains notes, a glossary, a map, and explanations of the rhyme, meter, form, and genre that traditionally puzzle those unfamiliar with the Irish-language tradition. The essays explore the text's themes and allusions, acquainting readers with the poem's controversies and critics' competing interpretations of Merriman's achievement.
Contributors include: Alan Titley, Michael Griffin, Sarah E. McKibben, and Bríona Nic DhiarmadaReview Quotes: Presents Merriman's achievement to all, whether in North America or anywhere else, who have an interest in Irish language, Irish history and Irish literature and who have a sense of humor to match. The inclusion of essays, an additional reading list, the timeline of events and the publication history of the poem add significantly to its usefulness for students. For many it will serve as a springboard to further study but for all it will be a thoroughly good read.-- "Journal of Celtic Language Learning"