Vésteinn Ólason. Topography and world view in Njáls saga

• Author: Vésteinn Ólason
• Title: Topography and world view in Njáls saga: with special reference to the function of the Thing
• Published in: Gudar På Jorden: Festskrift Till Lars Lönnroth
• Editors: Stina Hansson, Mats Malm
• Place, Publisher: Stockholm: Brutus Östlings Bokförlag Symposion
• Year: 2000
• Pages: 131–41
• E-text:
• Reference: Vésteinn Ólason. "Topography and world view in Njáls saga: with special reference to the function of the Thing’. Gudar På Jorden: Festskrift Till Lars Lönnroth, pp 131–141. Eds. Stina Hansson and Mats Malm. Stockholm: Brutus Östlings Bokförlag Symposion, 2000.

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Annotation

The Home and the Thing, it is argued here, are the cornerstones of society in Njáls saga; they transcend the conversion and retain their sanctity in a new religious context. The article addresses the function and violation of the Home and then of the Thing; it focuses predominantly on Bergþórshváll’s burning and the subsequent fight at the Allthing. Further, Vésteinn examines how Christian ethos becomes relevant in the immediate aftermath of violence, the ultimate reconciliatory marriage of Kári and Hildigunnr, and the enduring sanctity of the Home and the Thing.

Lýsing

Texta vantar

References

Chapter 34: atkvæðamikil: "From the arrival of Hallgerðr at Hlíðarendi as Gunnarr’s wife, the traditional friðr of the family, beautifully expressed through the mutual loyalties of brothers and of mother and son, is threatened." (p. 132)

Chapter 159: hafði átta: "Hildigunnr’s marriage to Kári comes at the very end of the saga, and it symbolizes a new spirit of peace and forgiveness, confirmed by Flosi and Kári receiving absolution in Rome." (p. 135)

Chapter 145: eggjuðust nú fast: "Coming after the burning and as its direct consequence, it [the battle at the Allthing] repeats at the Thing the catastrophe which had been acted out in the other sacred location, the Home." (p. 137)

Chapter 145: er mínir mótstöðumenn eru: "It is a symbolic turning point in the ethical development brought about by Christianity. When Hallr makes his offer, it is in fact Christianity giving society a new chance." (p. 138)

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