Trafodwn yn y bennod hon yr olaf o Bedair Cainc y Mabinogi, sef chwedl ‘Math fab Mathonwy’.

Edrychwn ar realiti hyll Cymru’r Oesau Canol a nodi bod aelodau o’i deulu’i hun yn gymaint o fygythiad i dywysog Cymreig na gelynion posibl y tu hwnt i ffiniau’i deyrnas. Er gwaethaf holl hud a lledrith y stori hon, awgrymwn y gellir ei dadansoddi yng nghyd-destun y realiti hyll hwnnw; mae Math fab Mathonwy yn arglwydd ar Wynedd, ac mae aelodau o’i lys ei hun, ei neiant Gwydion a Giflaethwy, yn creu trafferth sylweddol iddo.

Dyma stori dywyll sy’n archwilio tueddiadau gwaethaf y ddynoliaeth, gan gynnwys trais ar sail rhywedd. Yn y gainc hon hefyd y mae Lleu Llaw Gyffes a Blodeuwedd yn ymddangos, cymeriadau sydd wedi ysbrydoli cenedlaethau lawer, er bod ailysgrifennu’r chwedl dreisgar hon a’i throi’n stori i blant yn beth hynod heriol!

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Math’s Family Troubles

In this episode we discuss the last of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi, the tale ‘Math son of Mathonwy’.

We look at the ugly reality of medieval Wales and note that members of a Welsh prince’s own family were often as much of a threat to him as possible enemies beyond his borders. Despite all of the magic and fantasy in this story, we suggest that it’s possible to analyse it in the context of that ugly reality; Math son of Mathonwy is lord of Gwynedd, and members of his own court, his nephews Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, create considerable trouble for him.

This is a dark tale which examines the worst aspects of human experience, including gender-based violence. It is also in this branch that Llaw Gyffes and Blodeuwedd appear, characters who have inspired many generations, even though turning this violent tale into a children’s story is an incredibly difficult thing to do!

Cyflwynwyd gan: Yr Athro Jerry Hunter a'r Athro Richard Wyn Jones

Cynhyrchwyd gan: Richard Martin

Cerddoriaeth: Might Have Done gan The Molenes

Dilynwch ni ar Trydar: http://www.twitter.com/YrHenIaith

Tanysgrifwch yn eich hoff ap podlediadau neu ar YouTube i derbyn y pennod nesaf ar cyhoeddiad.

Darllen pellach:

- Ian Hughes (gol.), Math uab Mathonwy: the fourth branch of the Mabinogi (Dulyn: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2013)

- Dafydd Ifans a Rhiannon Ifans, Y Mabinogion[:] Diweddariad (Llandysul: Gwasg Gomer, 1980)

Further Reading:

- Ian Hughes (ed.), Math uab Mathonwy: the fourth branch of the Mabinogi (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2013)