ABSTRACT
The critical analysis and understanding of such medieval narratives as the tale of Branwen, the Second Branch of the Mabinogi, is by no means at a very advanced state. In the present century, there were the pioneering interpretative efforts of W. J. Gruffydd on the Four Branches, work that was carried forward and enhanced in certain respects by Proinsias Mac Cana in Branwen: A Study of the Irish Affinities. The tendency to isolate individual episodes which can be found in both Welsh and Irish and then assume borrowing from Ireland to Wales perhaps stems from the undeniable fact that vastly more Irish material has survived. A great battle arises between the two hosts then, and because they have the cauldron, the Irish enjoy the upper hand for a while. Finally, Efnisien regrets his actions, crawls in among the slain Irish, is put into the cauldron and, stretching himself, succeeds in shattering the cauldron.
