Miller, William Ian. Setting up Thrain: Chapters 90–2

• Author: Miller, William Ian
• Title: Setting up Thrain: Chapters 90–2
• Published in: Why Is Your Axe Bloody?: A Reading of Njáls Saga
• Place, Publisher: New York: Oxford University Press
• Year: 2014
• Pages: 157-63
• E-text:
• Reference: Miller, William Ian. Why Is Your Axe Bloody?: A Reading of Njáls Saga. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.

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Annotation

This chapter begins with the analysis of Þráinn as the Sigfússynir’s leader, and the qualities that make him an unattractive ally for Njáll and his sons. Miller continues to discuss the legitimacy of Helgi and Grímr’s claims against Þráinn, the acts of provocation that lead up to the latter‘s death, and how Njáll manipulates these events. Political decisions like the killing of Þráinn look for legal pretexts such as the insults uttered by Hallgerðr in order to be executed.

Links

• Written by: Yoav Tirosh
• Icelandic/English translation: