The Supercats: Portrayals of Cats in Texts of Celtic Origin

Abstract

Cats have been featured in various cultural texts, teaching and setting examples to or, on the contrary, opposing humans. Not only would the reality without the presence of a cat in the text be less unpredictable, but specific plot changes could also not occur. Despite being present in the world’s literature for centuries, cats are one of the most underappreciated and misunderstood species, often used and abused by writers portraying complex, challenging, and forbidden aspects of people’s lives, the Celts being no exception. Felines portrayed in texts of Celtic origin are, in most stories, treacherous creatures prone to deception and mischief and need to be eradicated. Stories covering cats with bad reputations have been retold throughout the centuries, validating their ill-treatment in the non-fictional world. The analysis of the character of Grimalkin provides a fascinating insight into the early symbolic and disturbing world of the most ambiguous and volatile relationships the animal world and humankind have ever known: cats and people.