The Mabinogion Set - The Fractal Structure of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi

A new study of classic medieval Welsh stories through the lens of narrative repetition.

The Mabinogion Set is a book about the most famous of medieval Welsh stories: the Four Branches of the Mabinogi. It is also a book about a mathematical phenomenon: fractals. Fractals are mathematical patterns that repeat at every scale, and this study argues that, like natural fractals--snowflakes, tree branches--the Four Branches of the Mabinogi have a repeating structure. In putting forward this new theory, The Mabinogion Set proposes a new type of structural analysis: formal narrative topology, which pays attention not to themes or plot elements but to patterns of repetition within a story. The author also explores the implications of a topological analysis of the Four Branches on our understanding of their possible oral or written origins, authorship, transmission, memorability, and performance.

About the author

Natalia I. Petrovskaia is assistant professor in Celtic at Utrecht University.

Product details

• Authors: Natalia I. Petrovskaia
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 15.04.2026
• EAN: 9781837723355
• ISBN: 978-1-83772-335-5
• No. of pages: 264
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; i, set, Natalia, LITERARY CRITICISM / Medieval, of, Structure, Four, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, Literary theory, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval, Branches, fractal, Mabinogi, Mabinogion, Petrovskaia