Most readers of the famous Irish and Welsh tales focus on the male characters and their great exploits. Celtic literature, however, features a full range of female characters who deserve recognition; from warriors and rulers, to helpers and daughters. These women function as entities in their own right or as extensions of their male relationships. They all play a crucial role in their perspective texts, essentially driving the action of the plot and setting in motion a series of events that affect the male characters. Flirting is a means of inciting action. Rhiannon of the first branch of the Mabigoni uses the tactic to escape an unwanted marriage. The otherworldly Rhiannon appears to King Pywll and his servants halfway through the story. In a single exchange, they both declare love for Pwyll: “I never wanted any man, and that's because I love you,” then announces her unavailability (“Pwyll,” 45). Rhiannon traps Pwyll by capturing his attention and inspiring lust through her looks and words, ensuring that she will go against her current suitor, Gwawl son of Clud. This strong female character also directs Pwyll's actions to gain his hand, showing him the direction to follow, helping him achieve victory. The placement of geasa by women also drives the plots of the stories. Aranrhod and Culhwch's stepmother from The Mabigoni both employ geasa, resulting in the attempted murder of a male protagonist in one story and a hero's quest in the other. A powerful woman living alone without male support, Aranrhod assigns geasas to her unwanted son. The last geis states that he will never get a wife from a race on earth. Due to the importance of progeny and the extension of the family line, Ki...... center of the card ......f their future. Derdriu, even before he was born, was destined to bring misfortune to the land of Ulster. Growing up in isolation awaiting marriage to the king, she learns of a handsome young man, Noisiu. By pushing him to accept it, she creates him and his brothers as outcasts, inciting war. Finnabair also acts as a pawn, his actions are controlled by his mother Mebd. During the Great Cattle Raid, it exists as a barter tool for Mebd, used to gain allies. She offers no real resistance to this arrangement, even acting flirtatiously for her mother's benefit. Through his deception, however, he manipulates the deaths of at least 700 men. Finally, Branwen of The Mabigoni exists as a pawn to the alliances of her older brother, Bran. Her marriage of convenience, without any apparent desire, to an Irish king incites her half-brother Efnisien to shame the Irish king..