The Wellington Monument

 When I was a child, we used to visit the Phoenix Park and one of my earliest memories was climbing the steps of the Wellington Monument to look for the doorway that would let me inside it. So, when I read the part in Finnegans Wake about the museyroom and the artifacts from the Battle of Waterloo I saw the monument as that Museum. The Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park has an interesting history. Standing at 62 metres tall it is the largest obelisk in Europe. It was built to commemorate the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley who fought against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. The structure was originally planned for Merrion Square in Dublin, but the residents didn't want it, so it was decided to build it in the Phoenix Park. The project was begun in 1917 but it ran out of money before it was finished, and it wasn't completed for another 40 years. The plans for a statue in front of the monument of the 1st Duke of Wellington on horseback were ere also scrapped because of the lack of funds. Did you know that the four bronze plaques on the lower half of the monument were cast from cannons that were captured at Waterloo?

James Joyce and Lewis Carroll

 Throughout the pages of Finnegans Wake, we encounter writers and their works that have influenced Joyce. One such author is Lewis Carroll, the penname of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. His timeless and much-loved "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" make many cameo appearances throughout the Wake. Carroll's clever manipulation of language, through puns and nonsensical dialogues, must have tickled Joyce's sense of fun. Joyce himself was the master of puns and language experimentation. Additionally, Carroll's theme of delving into the subconscious and the uncanny resonates in Joyce's work, as both authors explore the complex interplay between reality and imagination, conscious and unconscious thoughts.

Meet the Four Storytellers

Do you know how the evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - narrate the life of Jesus in the New Testament? Well, Joyce has crafted his own quartet of storytellers in Finnegans Wake: Matt Gregory, Marcus Lyons, Luke Tarpey, and Johnny MacDougall, collectively known as Mamalujo. These four elderly men recount the history of Ireland and can be likened to the Four Masters who penned the Annals, the early history of Ireland.

When I embarked on illustrating The Wake for the first series, I delved into extensive research of medieval manuscripts to find depictions of the "big four." Amongst all my findings, the most marvelous, in my opinion, was to be discovered in the Book of Kells. Joyce owned a copy of Edward Sullivan's 1914 publication on the Book of Kells, which featured several color reproductions accompanied by insightful commentary. Joyce once expressed his fondness for the Book, carrying it with him during his travels to Rome, Zurich, and Trieste, immersing himself in its craftsmanship for hours. To him, it epitomized the quintessential Irish essence, and he drew parallels between the intricate illuminations and the essence of a chapter in Ulysses. In fact, he found much of his own work comparable to the artistry of these illuminations.

Cain and Abel

In Finnegans Wake, the HCE and ALP's sons Shem and Shaun can be seen as parallels to the biblical figures of Cain and Abel. As with Cain and Abel, the relationship between Shem and Shaun is marked by a profound sibling rivalry, jealousy, and brotherly strife. In the novel's intricate web of language and allusions, Shaun the cunning sibling, represents the envious Cain figure who seeks recognition and dominance over his brother. Meanwhile, Shem embodies the innocent and favoured Abel. You may remember the Bible story at the beginning of the book of Genesis where Eve gave birth to two sons. Cain was a tillage farmer while his brother Abel herded sheep. Both sacrificed the fruits of their labour to God, but Abel's sacrifice was favoured more. Cain, in a fit of jealousy, killed his brother and God sent him away to live in the land of Nod. In Chapter 1 of Finnegans Wake, we have already come across two references to the biblical figures, once on Page 28 with the word "kanekannan" and on page 29 with "changing cane sugar into sethulose starch". For the last reference, we need to know when Cain had been sent away from his family home, Adam and Eve had another son and called him Seth. We will come across more references as we go on and even more parallels with Biblical characters. #JamesJoyce #FinnegansWake #Bible #Genesis #cainandabel

Napoleon and The Duke of Wellington

The twin sons of HCE and ALP, Shem, and Shaun can be compared to other feuding men in history. Early on in Finnegans Wake we meet another pair of rivals Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley. They were prominent military figures during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon, born in Corsica in 1769, rose to power as Emperor of the French through his military prowess during the French Revolution. In contrast, Wellington, born in Ireland in 1769, came from a noble British family and received a privileged upbringing.

Their rivalry began during the Peninsular War when Wellington, a skilled strategist, led British forces against Napoleon's French army occupying Spain and Portugal. The climax of their rivalry came at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Wellington's victory there, with the aid of Prussian forces, ended Napoleon's rule and ambitions.

Napoleon was exiled, and Wellington returned to England as a national hero, later becoming Prime Minister. Their opposing backgrounds and military approaches personified the clash between revolutionary France and the coalition-based conservatism of Britain and its allies. Their legacies continue to influence European history and military strategies.

The Tale of Two Tragedies in Finnegans Wake

The tales of Queen Guinevere, Lancelot, and King Arthur, as well as Tristan and Isolde, share striking similarities in their themes and plot elements. Both stories are renowned examples of medieval romances set in the realm of King Arthur's court, featuring characters who grapple with forbidden love and the tragic consequences that follow.

Forbidden Love: At the heart of both tales lies the theme of forbidden love. In the story of Queen Guinevere, Lancelot, and King Arthur, the love between Queen Guinevere and Lancelot is forbidden due to their respective commitments to King Arthur. Similarly, in the tale of Tristan and Isolde, their love is forbidden as Isolde is promised to King Mark, Tristan's uncle and liege. The allure of the forbidden heightens the intensity of their passion, leading to a compelling narrative of star-crossed lovers.

Knights and Chivalry: Both narratives take place in the illustrious court of King Arthur, where knights and chivalry are revered. Lancelot and Tristan are celebrated knights, admired for their valor and skill in combat. They embody the ideals of chivalry, though their love for Guinevere and Isolde places them in moral quandaries as they must choose between loyalty to their king and their profound affection for these women.

Betrayal and Consequences: The theme of betrayal weaves its way into both stories. In Queen Guinevere's case, her love affair with Lancelot constitutes a betrayal of King Arthur's trust and undermines the harmony of the kingdom. Likewise, Tristan and Isolde's love threatens to betray King Mark's trust and disrupts the peace of his realm. The consequences of these betrayals are severe, leading to conflicts and heartache for all involved.

Love Potions: A notable parallel between the tales is the role of love potions. In Tristan and Isolde, they accidentally consume a love potion that binds them together irresistibly. Similarly, in some versions of the Arthurian legend, a love potion is involved in the romance of Guinevere and Lancelot. These potions act as catalysts, intensifying the characters' emotions and deepening the forbidden love they share.

Tragic Endings: Both stories culminate in tragic endings, driven by the unavoidable consequences of forbidden love. The pursuit of their passions ultimately brings sorrow and despair to the characters involved. Queen Guinevere and Lancelot's romance is exposed, leading to discord and the downfall of Camelot. Likewise, Tristan and Isolde's love leads to a series of unfortunate events, resulting in their untimely demise.

Themes of Love and Sacrifice: Love and sacrifice are central themes in both tales. The characters' love for each other leads them to make difficult choices and endure immense suffering for the sake of their beloveds. Guinevere and Lancelot's love requires them to confront their emotions and endure the pain of separation. Tristan and Isolde's love, on the other hand, demands sacrifices that lead to tragic consequences.

Overall, the stories of Queen Guinevere, Lancelot, King Arthur, Tristan, and Isolde are timeless and captivating tales that delve into the complexities of human emotions and the conflicts that arise from forbidden love. The characters' struggles and the universality of their themes continue to resonate with audiences across generations, making them enduring classics of medieval romance literature.

The story of Queen Guinevere, Lancelot, and King Arthur

 The story of Queen Guinevere, Lancelot, and King Arthur is a story of love, betrayal, and chivalry. It shares some similarities with the story of Tristan and Isolde, another legendary romance involving forbidden love and the tragic consequences that follow. King Arthur, of Camelot, was married to the beautiful Queen Guinevere. Sir Lancelot, a knight of unparalleled skill and bravery, was a trusted member of the Knights of the Round Table, an elite group of knights sworn to protect the realm and uphold the principles of chivalry. As Lancelot pledged his loyalty to King Arthur, he found himself drawn to Queen Guinevere's grace and kindness. Though he tried to suppress his feelings, their mutual admiration soon blossomed into a forbidden love. Their love remained secret, known only to a few loyal confidants, as they both understood the gravity of betraying Arthur's trust. Despite their attempts to resist their emotions, fate seemed determined to test their resolve. The enchanting love between Queen Guinevere and Lancelot became an inescapable bond, pulling them closer to each other even as they tried to keep their distance.