Beltaine 2008 (- threads, 218 posts)
Welcome to Beltane 2008! We are all pleased you could join us for our Celtic festivities. Please see below for a complete list of events going on this wonderful holiday. ...
    Breton Lais
    General Thread 1 Featured May 9 , 2008
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    Poetry competition sponsered by Bardic College. Sign up here!



    Lai or "lay" is a term from Old French that applies to a short lyric or narrative poem. The subject matter of the lai comes from an oral tradition. Old Breton literature is the root of what later evolved into Arthurian literature, such as Tristan and Iseult and the romances of Chretien de Troyes.

    The form of the lai varies, generally lines of eight or ten syllables in couplets or rhyming pairs with the accent on the last syllable of each line. The rhyme scheme can also be variable.

    Lais can be either lyric (song forms) or narrative. In the original Celtic form the lais were probably sung by Breton minstrels, introduced by a short, spoken rhyme that summarized the ballad. These recitations probably evolved into the narrative form of the lai. The Lays of Marie de France, composed around 1175, set the mode for the form known as "Breton lays". The Contes were narratives of Arthurian legend and other bits of Breton folklore set in octosyllabic couplets. It became a popular style adopted by the English through the 14th century. Two of the best examples are 'The Franklin's Tale' from the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. and an anonymous lai 'Sir Orfeo'

    Lais are usually about 600 to 1000 lines on themes of love and chivalry, often weaving in and out of the Celtic Otherworld. They are characterized by the neat turns of phrase, pithy wit, fanciful whimsy, and elegant descriptions that gives them a unique charm.

    Here are the elements of the Breton Lai genre:

    1) The protagonist could be male or female, which is rare in romances, where the protagonist almost always is male.

    2) The protagonist always was from a privileged upbringing, usually noble.

    3) The tale, itself, will be short, and it sometimes refers to lyric performance as if it once was intended to be sung.

    4) The plot usually involves the pursuit of a loved one, and supernatural elements usually play a part in the outcome.

    5) Because of the extreme economy of the plot, the climax usually involves extraordinary events.

    6) All medieval Breton lais are composed in rhymed verse.

    Click on the links to read examples of this form.

    sources: Wikipedia
    The Book of Forms - Lewis Turco
    www.elfinspell.com
    http://faculty.goucher.edu/eng240/breton_lais_as_a_genre.htm


    THE BELTAINE BRETON BARDIC CONTEST:

    1. Lais can be any length and do not have to be 600 - 1000 lines long.

    2. Enter as often as you like. To be eligible for the prize, you must register.

    3. As usual, judges of this contest, DemiGods, and currently operating Scribes cannot win prizes but are still very welcome to post here.

    4. The Best Breton Bard of Beltaine will be chosen by a panel of judges mainly on the criteria of the six elements of the Breton Lai genre as listed above. The winner of the contest will receive a "cash" (site currency -sesteri) prize and the Best Brehon Bard plaque.

    5. All participants will receive a "cash" (site currency - sesteri) honorary award and may choose one of the participant's plaques.

    6. The contest officially opens on May 9 after the official opening of the festival and will end at midnight eastern time on May 11. All entries must be submitted during that time period. Any lais posted before or after will not be eligible for prizes.

    7. Remember to SIGN UP before you post!

    8. Post your entries to this thread here.


    Created by:
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     * Vortigern Aedui, Mar 22, 2008 - 03:10

    10 Members have made 19 Posts here to date.




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