However, Conan was not ignoble. The Fianna mocked Conan, thrusting him into a battle as a joke. The joke seemed to have backfired, as Conan "won the victory by a trick," meaning he waited until his opponent turned around to chop his head off (Rolleston 260). In spite of his cowardly behavior, Conan fits the profile of the Fianna better than mac Luga did. Conan the Bald nevertheless fails to live up to the inherently strong and valorous nature deserving of membership in the Fianna.
Keelta seems an admirable Fianna, even though Keelta converted to Christianity after meeting Saint Patrick. Keelta came to the rescue of the Fairy Folk and was wounded in the process. His bravery and courage earns him deep respect not just among the Fianna but also among the Fairy Folk. Keelta, like all true Fianna, stuck to his word. For example, the Fairy Folk offer Keelta eternal youth and Keelta turns them down because his newfound belief in Christ forbids him to engage in any such "sorcery" that might go against the will of God (Rolleston 266).
Finn continues to embody the most core qualities of the Fianna in Celtic mythology: he is brave, noble, and just. Yet he also possesses the romantic heart of a poet. For instance, out of love and mourning for Saba, he ceases the hunt. Finn nevertheless returns to the hunt again because his spirit is strong. Indeed, love and romance are part and parcel fo the Fianna...
Similarly, the Fianna and the Fairy Folk have a long history together, including both "love and war," (Rolleston 284). Finn is in fact emblematic of the Fianna. Oisin once remarked that if the Christian God had seen fit to kill both Finn and Oscar that "God is a strong man," (Rolleston 276).
Like Cuchulian, Oscar was known to be "the fiercest fighter in battle of all the Fians," (Rolleston 261). Bravery, courage, and solid fighting skills are hallmarks of a true Fianna. Oscar is a rather one-dimensional character who embodies the intensity and passion of battle. Cuchulian is a similar figure although one who is more nuanced, and bestowed with a talking sword. Moreover, Cuchulian is mentioned in conjunction with hunting as well as war. Hunting is a key role of the Fianna. Keelta and Finn are both complex characters with deep spiritual conflicts, especially between Christianity and the traditional faith. Keelta comes into contact with St. Patrick and his heart is won over by the new religion. Still Keelta remains wholeheartedly a Fian, precisely because of his honesty in asserting his love of Christ. His affinity for Christianity puts Keelta in conflict with the Fian connection with the Fairy Folk.
Work Cited
Rolleston, T.W. Celtic Myths…
