Low, Soon Ai. The mirthless content of Skarphedinn's grin.

• Author: Low, Soon Ai
• Title: The mirthless content of Skarphedinn's grin
• Published in: Medium Ævum 65, 1
• Year: 1996
• Pages: 101-108
• E-text:
• Reference: Low, Soon Ai. "The mirthless content of Skarphedinn's grin." Medium Ævum 65, 1 (1996): 101-108.

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Annotation

After discussing the etymology of the Old Norse word glotta - translated as 'grin' - and its connotations, Low notes that this facial expression is Skarpheðinn's distinguishing feature. This is in contrast to most saga characters, whose emotions are conveyed through speech and action. The focus then turns to why Skarpheðinn grins, and whether this is a sign of malevolence, despite his role as one of the heroes of the saga. Low concludes that the grin shows defiance in general, but says nothing in particular. Rather than seeing himself as guilty or innocent, Skarpheðinn rejects his society's way of understanding, and responding to, his crime. The grin shows moral independence, which Low argues is a sign of the otherworldliness of Skarpheðinn's character.

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References

Chapter 128: brá við grönum og glotti að : “Skarpheðinn grins his last under the siege of flames. In response to Kári's compliment, ‚you are the bravest of us‘. The construction of the narrative is here impersonal, and there is a trace of the valedictory: ‚it was seen that he drew back his lips and grinned‘. The uncertainty of the Burners as to whether or not he is dead before he utters his last verse is the uncertainty of those who sense his otherworldliness even in life. Like those of Falgeirr and the Cheshire cat, Skarpheðinn's grin lingers on beyond the flesh.” (p. 107)

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• Written by: Rebecca Mason
• Icelandic/English translation: