Branwen Daughter of Llyr: Motif

“They were not within a house, but within tents. Bendigeidfran had never been contained within a house.” Bendigeidfran not being able to be contained is used as a motif in Branwen Daughter of Llyr to make Whales seem much more powerful than Ireland. Bendigeidfran is the king so he represents his people. ”Being contained…” can be looked at as a form of imprisonment or suppression and not being able to be contained gives the idea that Bendigeidfran kingdom will also never be suppressed, especially by another house, such as the Irish. When the Irish do try to contain him in a house, all the people hiding in bags are crushed by his brother who is also a giant. Bendigeidfran also wades across the very deep canal next to his warriors in boats. This reinforces him being king and his power as he is described as a mountain. His people being the forest around him.  The idea of being uncontainable and larger than life simply enforces the idea of power and control over his people as well as making the Irish look week compared to Bendigeidfran and his fellow giants.