Enlightenment and romance in James Macpherson's The poems of Ossian

By Dafydd Moore

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into the fascinating intersection of Enlightenment thinking and romantic sensibility through James Macpherson's influential work, The Poems of Ossian. Rather than getting caught up in long-standing debates about the authenticity of these ancient Celtic tales, author Dafydd Moore takes a fresh approach that reveals deeper truths about human nature and social connection.

Moore demonstrates how Macpherson's Ossian functions as genuine romance literature, examining both its creative construction and the profound emotional sensitivity it portrays. The study illuminates how these poems engage with eighteenth-century ideas about sympathy and society, exploring both the possibilities and constraints of human understanding during this pivotal period.

For readers interested in spiritual and personal development, this work offers valuable insights into how ancient wisdom traditions can speak to modern concerns about empathy, community, and emotional intelligence. By examining Celtic mythology through the lens of Enlightenment thought, the book reveals timeless patterns in how we seek meaning and connection across cultures and centuries.

Drawing from Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and English literary traditions, this analysis shows how mythological narratives continue to shape our understanding of human relationships and social transformation. Moore's approach invites readers to consider how ancient stories can inform contemporary spiritual seeking and personal growth.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)

📄 Length: 187 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Explore Mythology, Celtic, in literature
✓ Explore Ossian, active 3rd century
✓ Explore Macpherson, james, 1736-1796
✓ Explore Changement social dans la littérature
✓ Explore English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh
✓ Explore Pr3544.m64 2003
✓ Explore Sublime, The, in literature
✓ Explore Faux et supercheries littéraires

Topics Covered

Mythology, Celtic, in literature Ossian, active 3rd century Macpherson, james, 1736-1796 Changement social dans la littérature English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh Pr3544.m64 2003 Sublime, The, in literature Faux et supercheries littéraires Siècle des Lumières Mythologie celtique dans la littérature Enlightenment--scotland Romantisme Histoire Genres littéraires Ossian (Macpherson, James) Romanticism, great britain In literatureossian, active 3rd century Literary forgeries and mystifications--history Literary forgeries and mystifications History Sentimentalism in literature 821/.6 In literature Literary form--history--18th century Literary form--history Enlightenment Social change in literature Romanticism Literary forgeries and mystifications--history--18th century Literature Literary form Romanticism--scotland Sublime dans la littérature POETRY