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.
- Key words:
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
See also
References
Links
- Written by: Yoav Tirosh
- Icelandic/English translation:
