The Grettis Saga through Time and Space: An Exploration of Topics in Old Norse Sagas. Cover Image

The Grettis Saga through Time and Space: An Exploration of Topics in Old Norse Sagas.
The Grettis Saga through Time and Space: An Exploration of Topics in Old Norse Sagas.

Author(s): Kornelia Lasota
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Other Language Literature
Published by: Komisja Nauk Filologicznych Oddziału Polskiej Akademii Nauk we Wrocławiu
Keywords: Old Norse saga; Grettis Saga; literature; medieval studies; sagas of the Icelanders

Summary/Abstract: The paper provides a brief summary of the Old Norse Grettis Saga and examines it in terms of research aspects outside of the field of literary studies. It highlights the historical, cultural, social, and religious contexts of the work, giving explanation as to where indications of them can be found in the saga. At the same time it tries to explain some of the more obscure aspects, such as the supernatural elements, in order to give clarity to the method of interpretation. Vital information on the grouping of Old Norse sagas, as well as the importance of ancestry in the texts, are provided and elaborated. Definitions of key terms essential to understand the source material are provided and kept on a level clear to a reader not fluent in the topic. Categorizations of the mentioned saga genre are also provided, with the hope to spark interest in the vast variety of motifs and key aspects of the Old Norse sagas. Further suggestions for research outside of the field are presented; however, they are not taken up completely. The paper shows the Old Norse sagas as potent, yet often overlooked, literary works worthy of attention as possible research material in the field of humanities

  • Issue Year: 2020
  • Issue No: 10
  • Page Range: 157-162
  • Page Count: 6
  • Language: English