batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l3085-l3164
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l3085-l3164
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
passage_locator:
label: THE PILLOW-TALK / THIS IS THE ROUTE OF THE TAIN / THE MARCH OF THE HOST /
THE YOUTHFUL EXPLOITS OF CUCHULAIN; lines 3085-3164
start: '3085'
end: '3164'
translation: The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: "“Thrice fifty boys at one end of the green and a single boy at the other...”"
summary: Conchobar, on his way to Culann the Smith’s feast, sees a little lad surpassing
a large group of boys in several games. The king invites him to the feast, but
the boy says he will follow after the games. At Culann’s house, the smith warns
that his fierce bloodhound, kept for guarding goods and cattle, will be released
because no one else is expected to arrive; Conchobar has forgotten the boy.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Culann returns to the stithy to prepare meat and drink for the king.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Conchobar sets out for the feast with fifty noble chariot-chiefs and visits
the boys before leaving.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Conchobar sees a single little boy opposed to thrice fifty boys on the fair-green
of Emain.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The single boy wins at the goal and at hurling against the thrice fifty boys.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: In hole-play, the single boy catches the thrice fifty balls when guarding
and sends his own balls into the hole when driving.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: In garment-tearing play, the single boy strips the other boys’ suits, while
they cannot take even the brooch from his mantle.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: In wrestling, the single boy throws the thrice fifty boys down, and they cannot
lift him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Conchobar expresses wonder at the lad’s boyhood deeds, and Fergus says his
manhood deeds will grow as he grows.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Conchobar invites the little boy to the feast as a guest.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: The little boy refuses to leave until the boys have had enough play and says
he will follow the trail of the company, horses, and chariots.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: At Culann’s house, the king and others are honored according to rank, and
they begin to carouse.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Culann asks whether anyone has been appointed to come after the king; Conchobar
says no because he has forgotten the little boy.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Culann describes a bloodhound brought from Spain, held by three chains with
three men at each chain, used to guard goods and cattle, knowing only Culann,
and having the strength of hundreds.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: The dog-chain is removed, the hound makes a swift circuit, and then lies on
its guard mound in a wild and ready-for-fight state.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Culann the Smith
description: A smith who prepares a feast for Conchobar and owns the guarding bloodhound.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Conchobar
description: The king who travels to Culann’s feast, observes the little boy’s games,
invites him, and later forgets he is following.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: the little lad / little boy
description: A single boy who defeats thrice fifty boys in games and says he will
follow the king’s company to the feast.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: thrice fifty boys
description: A group of boys playing on the fair-green of Emain who are repeatedly
outperformed by the single little boy.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Fergus
description: A speaker who comments that the little lad’s deeds of manhood will
grow as he grows.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Culann’s bloodhound / ban-dog
description: A fierce guarding dog brought from Spain, restrained by chains, knowing
only Culann, and released to guard the cantred.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: fifty chariot-chiefs
description: Noble and illustrious heroes who accompany Conchobar to the feast.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
roles:
- id: role:1
label: smith-host
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Culann is called the Smith and prepares meat and drink for the king at his
house.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: hound-owner
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Culann says the bloodhound knows no one but himself and explains its guarding
function.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:3
label: king
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The passage identifies Conchobar as king and shows others preparing for his
feast visit.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: witness of youthful feats
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Conchobar sees the little lad’s victories and speaks in wonder about them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: inviter who forgets follower
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Conchobar invites the little boy to the feast but later says no one is expected,
having forgotten him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: exceptional child contestant
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The little boy defeats thrice fifty boys in several games and cannot be overcome
in wrestling.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: delayed guest-follower
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The boy is invited as a guest but delays departure and says he will follow
the company’s trail.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: collective opponents in play
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The boys oppose the single boy in hurling, hole-play, garment-tearing, and
wrestling.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: commentator on future deeds
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Fergus says the little lad’s deeds of manhood will grow as he grows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: fierce animal guardian
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The hound is released to guard the cantred and is described as strong, savage,
and ready for fight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: royal retinue
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The fifty chariot-chiefs accompany the king to the feast.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: one against thrice fifty
literal_form: A single boy at one end of the green and thrice fifty boys at the
other.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: thrice fifty balls
literal_form: The thrice fifty balls used in hole-play, all caught or sent into
the hole by the single boy.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: three chains and three men per chain
literal_form: The hound is said to have three chains upon him, with three men at
each chain.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:4
label: guard bloodhound
literal_form: A fierce bloodhound released to guard Culann’s cantred, goods, and
cattle.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: trail of company, horses, and chariots
literal_form: The path the little boy says he will follow to find the feast.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Preparation and royal departure for Culann’s feast
summary: Culann prepares meat and drink, while Conchobar sets out in travelling
apparel with fifty chariot-chiefs and visits the boys before leaving.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: The little boy’s victories on the fair-green
summary: On the fair-green of Emain, Conchobar sees one little boy surpass thrice
fifty boys in hurling, hole-play, garment-tearing, and wrestling.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Invitation and delayed following
summary: Conchobar praises the boy’s deeds and invites him to the feast; the boy
refuses to leave until the games are done and says he will follow the company’s
trail.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Culann’s warning and the release of the hound
summary: At the feast, Culann asks whether anyone is still coming. Conchobar has
forgotten the boy. Culann explains the hound’s danger, and the hound is released
to guard the enclosure.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: exceptional child displays adult-level heroic prowess
taxonomy_refs:
- miraculous_child
basis: The little boy, though treated as a child, defeats thrice fifty boys in multiple
contests and prompts remarks about his future manhood deeds.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage emphasizes extraordinary childhood feats, but it does not
present birth details or explicit miracle language in this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: one youthful hero overcomes many opponents in games
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The single boy repeatedly defeats a collective group of thrice fifty boys
in goal-play, hurling, hole-play, garment-tearing, and wrestling.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: This is a passage-level heroic contest pattern rather than a supplied
taxonomy family.
- id: motif:3
label: delayed guest follows alone toward danger
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The boy declines to travel with the king, remains at play, and says he will
follow the trail later; meanwhile the dangerous hound is released because Conchobar
forgets him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The actual encounter between the boy and the hound is not included in
this passage, so the danger remains anticipatory here.
- id: motif:4
label: fierce animal guardian of an enclosed settlement
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Culann’s bloodhound is released to guard the cantred, goods, and cattle;
it knows only Culann and is described as extremely strong and ferocious.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly matches this guardian-hound motif.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage can be compared to a miraculous-child motif insofar as a very
young figure performs feats beyond the capacity of a large group of peers.
claim_level: same_motif
target: miraculous_child motif family
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The excerpt supports extraordinary childhood prowess but not a miraculous
conception, sacred birth, or explicit supernatural origin.
- id: claim:2
claim: The hound episode supports comparison to a threshold-guardian or animal-guardian
pattern, with a dangerous beast protecting a guarded household or territory while
an expected follower approaches.
claim_level: same_function
target: animal guardian of an enclosed place / threshold-guardian pattern
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage does not yet narrate the follower’s encounter with the
hound, and no direct historical or cross-traditional comparison is provided by
the excerpt.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 3085-3094
quote_or_summary: Culann prepares meat and drink; Conchobar dresses for travel,
goes with fifty chariot-chiefs, and visits the boys before leaving for the feast.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 3094-3109
quote_or_summary: Conchobar sees thrice fifty boys at one end of the fair-green
and a single boy at the other; the single boy wins at goals and hurling and succeeds
completely in hole-play.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 3109-3116
quote_or_summary: In garment-tearing, the little boy strips the other boys’ suits
while they cannot take his brooch; in wrestling, he throws them down and they
cannot lift him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 3116-3128
quote_or_summary: Conchobar wonders at the lad’s boyhood deeds; Fergus says his
deeds of manhood will grow with him; Conchobar summons him and invites him to
the feast as a guest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 3128-3139
quote_or_summary: The little boy refuses to leave until the boys have had enough
play, tells Conchobar to go ahead, and says he will follow the trail of the company,
horses, and chariots.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 3140-3150
quote_or_summary: At Culann’s house, the guests are honored and begin carousing;
Culann asks if anyone is coming later, and Conchobar says no because he has forgotten
the little lad.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 3150-3159
quote_or_summary: Culann describes an excellent bloodhound brought from Spain, restrained
by three chains with three men at each chain, released to guard goods and cattle,
knowing only him, and possessing the power of hundreds.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 3159-3164
quote_or_summary: Conchobar orders the dun opened for the ban-dog; the dog-chain
is removed, the hound circles swiftly and lies on its guard mound, described as
wild, untameable, savage, ferocious, and ready for fight.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary based on supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Literal extraction is straightforward from the supplied passage. Motif and
comparison claims are limited to passage-supported patterns, especially extraordinary
childhood prowess and guardian-hound danger; broader narrative implications require
adjacent passages.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
No external sources or unsupplied lines were used. The passage label names Cuchulain, but the passage text itself identifies the central child only as the little lad or little boy, so the figure is labeled accordingly.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg__l3085-l3164
passage_sha256=66854a46e6a7ef9e988f14d809c73fb893e888e71c988788afefde1ae2e1d2a7