Andersson, Theodore M.. The Icelandic Family Saga

• Author: Andersson, Theodore M.
• Title: Chapter ??
• Published in: The Icelandic Family Saga. An Analytic Reading
• Place, Publisher: Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press
• Year: 1967
• Pages: 97–110
• E-text:
• Reference: Andersson, Theodore M. The Icelandic Family Saga. An Analytic Reading, pp. 97–110. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1967.

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• Key words:

Annotation

Andersson’s tripartite (synopsis-outline-comment) analysis of 24 Icelandic Family Sagas, the formal, theoretical function of which seeks ‘to convey as clearly as possible the content of the sagas’ (p. 96). In relation to Egils saga, Andersson examines the compositional structure of the saga’s narrative, proposing two event-chronologies that separate and bridge its two major conflict narratives (King Haraldr Hárfagri (Fairhair) - Thórólfr, Egill Skallagrímsson - Eirik Bloodaxe); each of which, by and large, adhere structurally to the following six-part schema: introduction, conflict, climax, revenge, reconciliation and aftermath. On the basis of this model, Andersson claims, ‘Egils saga is perfectly clear in its composition. The only innovation…is a departure from the one-climax principle in favour of a dual structure with two climaxes, Thórólfr’s death and Egill’s break with Erik’ (p. 109).

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• Written by: Martin McNally
• Icelandic/English translation: