Miller, William Ian. A Tale of Two Hoskulds: Chapters 93–9

• Author: Miller, William Ian
• Title: A Tale of Two Hoskulds: Chapters 93–9
• Published in: Why Is Your Axe Bloody?: A Reading of Njáls Saga
• Place, Publisher: New York: Oxford University Press
• Year: 2014
• Pages: 164-77
• 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

The chapter begins with a discussion of the legality and the motives of Njáll’s fosterage of Hǫskuldr, suggesting that he wanted to avoid vengeance for the killing of Þráinn, and to establish a deep connection with the child that will help stabilize the region’s power-dynamics. Miller then continues to justify Njáll‘s manipulation of the Icelandic law system and creation of the Fifth Court as consistent with his behavior as a “scriptwriter” who wishes to control events, comparing him to a modern lawyer. Miller than argues that it is Hǫskuldr‘s chieftaincy and new position as the leader of the Sigfússynir that allowed Lýtingur to avenge himself upon Hǫskuldr Njálsson. Njáll‘s preference of his Sigfússynir-clan allies over his sons is also addressed, and the doubling of two characters named Hǫskuldr is also discussed as an authorial invention.

Lýsing

Kaflinn hefst á umfjöllun um lögmæti þess að Njáll hafi fóstrað Höskuld og hvaða hvatir bjuggu þar að baki, leidda eru líkur að því að Njáll hafi viljað forðast hefnd eftir Þráinn og eins viljað byggja upp náið samband við Höskuld, sem átti seinna meir að koma á jafnvægi á valdakerfi fjórðungsins. Miller heldur áfram að réttlæta hagræðingar Njáls á lagakerfinu og fjallar um stofnun Hvítanesgoðorðs í því samhengi, eins telur hann stofnun goðorðsins vera í samræmi við „handritshöfundar“ hlutverk Njáls. Sem „handritshöfundur“ vill Njáll stjórna atburðum í kring um sig og Miller líkir honum við nútíma lögfræðing. Miller heldur því fram að það sé goða nafnbót Höskuldar og ný staða hans sem leiðtogi Sigfússona sem ryður brautina fyrir hefnd Lýtings. Fjallað er um dálæti Njáls á bandamönnum úr ætt Sigfússona, fremur en dálæti á sínum eigin sonum, auk þess er því haldið fram að höfundur hafi spunnið upp einn Höskuld af tveim í sögunni.

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. Setting up Thrain: Chapters 90–2
• 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 98: drepa Höskuld Njálsson: "Lyting had never once during those years found that sufficiently annoying to do anything untoward. Only one significant fact has changed in the universe that makes Lyting feel he can act on his grievance, or even articulate it. It is the emergence of Hoskuld Hvitanesspriest, as Hoskuld Thrainsson is known after getting his chieftaincy. Finally the Sigfussons again have a big man in their group to whom they can look for protection." (p. 170).

Links

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