The Cattle Raid of Cooley Chapter Summary & Analysis - The Battle of Fergus and Cuchulain Summary

The Battle of Fergus and Cuchulain Summary

The point has come where the Irish soldiers will no longer fight Cuchulain. Medb summons Fergus to fight him. Fergus insists it would be wrong for him to fight such a young man, and in particular one who was his disciple. They argue all night long, and in the morning, Fergus goes to Cuchulain.

Cuchulain sees Fergus approaching, but he is not concerned. He can see that there is no sword in Fergus's sheath. The narrator steps in to remind readers that Ailill took Fergus's sword when he was discovered having an affair with Medb. Indeed, Fergus has just gone to talk to Cuchulain.

Fergus begs Cuchulain to turn and run from him. Cuchulain says he cannot do this thing, since appearing a coward is the worst thing imaginable for the warrior. Fergus, who shares this sentiment, promises that one day, even if Cuchulain is weak from battle and can...
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