Eulogy

Eulogy, the praise of individuals who are still alive, or are regarded as 'alive' from the perspective of the poet, has a very inconspicuous place in BDL. This may be partly a reflection of the nature of the tradition itself, since the qualities of warriors are not commonly described directly and extensively by the poets, but are demonstrated in the course of their adventures (see Adventure narratives), with some quatrains devoted to eulogising their skills.  Only two poems, XII and XXVI, can be regarded as directly and extensively eulogistic; the former describes Goll mac Morna with the aim of placating his wrath, while in the latter Oisean claims that he has not seen Fionn for six days, and provides an extensive catalogue of his virtues.  The underlying motive of loss in the poem brings it close to elegy in certain respects.