Mythic love triangles

[Blackbird]

I was looking through some papers today, and was reminded of an old fascination: the number of Brythonic myths which surround the rivalry of two men for the love of one woman.

Those that immediately spring to mind are:

The rivalry of Lleu and Gronwy for Blodeuwedd
The rivalry of Gwythyr fab Greidawl and Gwyn ap Nudd for Creiddylad
The rivalry of Gwawl and Pwyll for Rhiannon

Does anyone have any others to add? Or any inspired comment? Like Robert Graves' idea of the Oak and Holly kings, do these rivalries and combats have a seasonal meaning? Do they have any personal meaning or symbolism for you?

I am intrigued that this theme occurs so often...

[Brochfael]

I can't think of any more Brythonic examples but there is the Irish tale of Dierdriu, in which she is pursued by Conchobhar but truly loves Nisiu (Not sure of the spelling here.)

[Blackbird]

I've just thought that there are later examples too - Tristan, King Mark and Isolt. And how could I forget Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere?

[goldenhand]

Surely it can't be coincidence that this theme is so common? My feeling is that it must be a memory of a lost myth that may be seasonal.

What I'm thinking is that in case of Deirdre, Rhiannon and Blodeuwedd, it is the woman who chooses the man.

The Creiddylad case is different - Arthur condemns the two men to eternal combat. I wonder if this is a case of a later bit being tagged on, Arthur being introduced into the story to 'update' it.

This story is also the only one of the ones listed, where actual combat is the result. In the Rhiannon story, the emphasis is on brains rather than brawn. Pwyll and Gwawl are trying to outwit each other.

The Lleu and Gronw thing is instigated by Blodeuwedd rather than either of the men, who are both manipulated by her. Whether that was always the case is another matter. It could be that she was reduced to the role of a wicked woman later on. Alexei Kondratiev, in his book Celtic Rituals, takes the story to be a seasonal tale. I shall have a look at what he says about it.

I see the Tristan and Isolt and Arthur and Gwenhwyfar tales as being later stories. They were probably deliberately based on the same theme, which would have been recognised by the audience. The Arthur thing must be later, unless the characters have changed, as Lancelot is a later addition to the Arthurian cycle.

[branynos]

Theres Uther, Gorlais & Igraine in the Arthurian cycle as well.

[siaron]

Arthur, Morgause and Lot; Owain, Morgan and Urien.