The Sagas of Icelanders

This book provides an accessible introduction to the Sagas of Icelanders, exploring cultural and historical contexts. Authored by an expert, it examines themes like belief systems, family dynamics, and gender roles. It covers diverse medieval tales, foreign influences, literary styles, and offers summaries of the 40 preserved sagas.

This book offers an accessible and concise introduction to the sagas of Icelanders, perfect for both general and academic readers. Authored by a recognized expert, it immerses readers in the sagas' world, exploring their cultural and historical context. The book surveys major themes such as belief systems, family dynamics, legal matters, honor, and gender roles, elucidating Icelandic society's fundamental worldview. Covering diverse tales from the Middle Ages, the sagas depict the struggles of ordinary farmers, fierce heroes, and shrewd women, including epic expeditions to Greenland and Vinland. The book also examines the influence of foreign literature, manuscript evidence, and dating, categorizing the sagas into three periods. Additionally, it explores their unique literary style, including paranormal elements and skaldic poetry. The final section provides concise summaries and information about the dating, manuscripts, and transmission of the forty preserved sagas, offering a comprehensive understanding of these captivating narratives.

Autorentext

Annette Lassen is professor at the Arnamagnæan Collection, NorS, University of Copenhagen. From 2020 to 2022, she was research professor at The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. She has authored books and articles on Old Icelandic literature such as Odin's Ways: A Guide to the Pagan God in Medieval Literature (Routledge 2022) and the edition Hrafnagaldur Óðins/ Forspjallsljóð (Viking Society for Northern Research 2011). She has published complete translations in Danish of the sagas of Icelanders and the sagas of ancient times (2014 and 2016-2019).

Inhalt

1. INTRODUCTION

2. SAGAS AND ÞÆTTIR

3. TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF THE GENRE

4. ICELAND'S LITERATURE IN THE MIDDLE AGES-INFLUENCE AND TASTE

5. TRANSMISSION

6. AGE

7. TRADITION AND NARRATIVE

8. SAGA WRITERS AND INFORMANTS

9. ICELANDERS-NORDIC STORYTELLERS AND BOOKWORMS

10. THE HISTORICITY OF THE SAGAS OF ICELANDERS

11. STYLE AND LITERARY TECHNIQUE

12. SKALDIC POETRY

13. THE SOCIETY OF THE SAGAS OF ICELANDERS

14. THE SAGAS OF ICELANDERS. A SURVEY

Bard's Saga

Egil's saga

Eirik the Red's Saga

Gisli Sursson's Saga

Gold-Thorir's Saga

Hen-Thorir's Saga

Killer-Glum's Saga

Kormak's Saga

Njal's Saga

Olkofri's Saga

The Saga of Bjorn, Champion of the Hitardal People

The Saga of Droplaug's Sons

The Saga of Finnbogi the Mighty

The Saga of Grettir the Strong

The Saga of Gunnar, the Fool of Keldugnup

The Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-Tongue

The Saga of Hallfred the Troublesome Poet

The Saga of Havard of Isafjord

The Saga of Hrafnkel Frey's Godi

The Saga of Hord and the People of Holm

The Saga of Ref the Sly

The Saga of the Confederates

The Saga of the Greenlanders

The Saga of the People of Eyri

The Saga of the People of Fljotsdal

The Saga of the People of Floi

The Saga of the People of Kjalarnes

The Saga of the People of Laxardal

The Saga of the People of Ljosavatn

The Saga of the People of Reykjadal and of Killer-Skuta

The Saga of the People of Svarfadardal

The Saga of the People of Vatnsdal

The Saga of the People of Vopnafjord

The Saga of the Slayings on the Heath

The Saga of the Sworn Brothers

The Saga of Thord Menace

The Saga of Thorstein the White

Thorstein Sidu-Hallson's Saga

Valla-Ljot's Saga

Viglund's Saga

Literature

Index

Index of Manuscripts