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.

Lýsing

Kaflinn hefst á greiningu á Þráni sem leiðtoga Sigfússona og þeim mannkostum sem gera hann óaðlaðandi bandabann Njáls og sona hans. Miller ræðir um kröfu Helga og Gríms gegn Þráni og lögmæti hennar, eggjanir sem leiddu til dauða þess síðastnefnda og hvernig Njáll hefur áhrif á framvindu atburðanna. Leitast er við að vefja pólitískum ákvörðunum, eins og dauða Þráins, saman við lögmæt undanskot eins og móðganir Hallgerðar.

See also

• Miller, William Ian. Why is Your Axe Bloody?
• Miller, William Ian. Njála’s Unity Problem and the Very Beginning: Chapter 1
• Miller, William Ian. Marriage Formation and Dissolution: Chapters 2–34
• Miller, William Ian. Making a Scene: Chapters 34–5, 48
• Miller, William Ian. Looking Forward: Njal’s Prescience: Chapters 22–3
• Miller, William Ian. Bergthora vs. Hallgerd, Part I. The Theory: Chapters 35–45
• Miller, William Ian. Bergthora vs. Hallgerd, Part II: Some Facts
• Miller, William Ian. Otkel vs. Gunnar: Chapters 46–56
• Miller, William Ian. Gunnar vs. the Thrihyrning People: Chapters 57–66
• Miller, William Ian. The Two Thorgeirs and Death of Gunnar: Chapters 67–77
• Miller, William Ian. Revenge for Gunnar: Chapters 77–81
• Miller, William Ian. The Atlantic Interlude and Hrapp: Chapters 82–9
• Miller, William Ian. A Tale of Two Hoskulds: Chapters 93–9
• Miller, William Ian. Conversion and the Genius of the Law: Chapters 100–6
• Miller, William Ian. Valgard ‘the Wise’ and Hoskuld’s Blood: Chapters 107–16
• Miller, William Ian. Skarphedin Ascendans, Flosi’s Ninth Nights: Chapters 117–23
• Miller, William Ian. The Burning: Chapters 124–32
• Miller, William Ian. Preparation for the Next Althing: Chapters 132–7
• Miller, William Ian. The Trial of Flosi and the Battle: Chapters 135, 141–5
• Miller, William Ian. Kari and Friends: Chapters 145–55
• Miller, William Ian. How Not to End a Saga, Unless...: Chapters 146–59
• Miller, William Ian. A Conclusion: Justice and Exits

References

Chapter 88: Allir frændur Þráins héldu hann fyrir höfðingja: "Had Ketil of Mork emerged as leader of the Sigfussons the saga would stop after the death of Gunnar; we would see the Sigfussons become clients of Njal and his sons, which probably explains why the Sigfussons looked to Thrain as their head. Thrain's emergence as a leader is a declaration of Sigfusson independence; …" (p. 157).

Chapter 91: Það mun þykja um sakleysi: "The whole point of Njal's advice on how to 'cast a wide net' to ensnare Thrain is to make his sons' purely hostile action look as if it were nothing more than a justified and honorable reaction in defense of their honor." (p. 161).

Links

• Written by: Yoav Tirosh
• Icelandic translation: Andri M. Kristjánsson