Death of Conchobhar

The short story, Death of Conchobhar, is about a fight between Cet, a very arrogant warrior who was described in the story as "the most troublesome monster in Ireland", and Conchobar, the very perfect King of Ulster. It was a custom of the Ulstermen to take the brains of those they killed in battle, and Conchobhar was in possesion of the brain of Meis-Geghra. Cet however stole the brain and then threw it at the back of Conchobhars head, after the fighting was over Conchobhar was told by the doctor that if the brain that was now inside his head along with his own brain was taken out he would die, but if it was kept in there he would surivive but would not be aloud to do very much such as; get angry, converse with woman, run, mount on a horseback, and eat food gluttonously. So he sat in his chair for seven years until he heard the news that the Jewish people had Crucified Jesus Christ, he was very angry and felt the need to avenge Jesus by going after the Jews. This action caused the brain of Meis-Geghra to fall from his head along with his own brain which caused him to die.

It is strange how quickly this story shifted into a christian story, because in the beginning you would not think that it had anything to do with religion. It wasn't until the end that Conchobharns belief was even known.

The main theme of this story in my opinion is the the importance of Christianity. Conchobhar, the king of Ulster, was not supposed to run or fight after the quarrel with Cet, but when he heard that the Jewish people had crucified Jesus Christ he risked his life to avenge Jesus.

Even though it wasn't known until the end of the story that Conchobharn was a Christian, the meaning of this story is that those who believe in Jesus Christ, especially during this time will do anything for him, Conchobharn thought that even though it would kill him it was his duty to avenge Jesus after he was crucified.