Now that I've read about Egil's entire life, what stands out the most to me is how long it is!! So much happens in his life, and I started wondering if Snorri combined elements of other heroes' lives into this one penultimate hero, to make his life more exciting. But for one person to see that much in one lifetime is just crazy. Maybe the saga just seems so long because it does cover many generations, and Egil's stories did not begin until halfway through. Either way, it's very long. I am also curious about how any person could remember the details of this story and repeat it for the few hundred years between its occurrence and when it was written down. People in oral cultures are supposed to have superior memory, but to remember the finite details of Egil's Saga and be able to repeat it must have been an amazing feat.
For my stanza to read in class, I chose the last stanza of the poem Egil calls 'The Loss of My Sons'. It is about his sadness over so many deaths, and his outlook on waiting for his own death. I thought it was odd since Egil and Thorgerd just tried to commit suicide, that he in poetry would then say he is willing to wait for his own death. And then "Egil began to recover his spirits as he proceeded to compose the poem" (158) about death?! Odd person, if you ask me.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Week Eleven: Egil's Saga, ch. 1-48
First off, I have to say that I am rather enjoying this saga, despite the fact that once again, everyone has the same names. I am surprised no one has ever made a Hollywood movie out of this, especially the first part concerning Thorolf Kveldulfsson and his fall from the king's grace, and the battles and revenge of his kin. It could be good.
Egil and his kinsname can be defined by some of the same characteristics, although Thorolf Kvedulfsson and Thorolf Skallagrimsson share more likeable traits, while Egil, Skallagrim, and Kveldulf share less likeable traits. They are all eager for glory, as evidenced by the two Thorolfs who join the king's men just to find favor, while Egil is eager for glory though battle. In chapter 46, when Egil and his men have escaped imprisonment and run off with booty, Egil insists on going back and killing their captors, because otherwise it would have been a cowardly plunder.
The most important trait this family shares is an inherent ability to anger the king. Thorolf Kveldufsson had been on his good side, but when he refused to rejoin the king's men and abandon his own followers, he set the tone for the rest of the saga and the struggle between his family and the Norweigan royals. Skallagrim wanted to return the axe that the king had sent, but thankfully one of his sons threw it into the ocean, therefore avoiding that potential catastrophe. Thorolf Skallagrimsson and Egil inherit this quality, as Thorir remarks, "'But you, Egil, have inherited your family's gift for caring too little about incurring the king's wrath, and that will be a great burden for most people to bear'" (71).
Some other traits Egil's family share, that are evident throughout most of the sagas and therefore important Viking qualities, are being proud, stubborn, determined, strong, poetic, difficult, short-tempered, loyal to friends, and having a strong intuition about the future.
Egil and his kinsname can be defined by some of the same characteristics, although Thorolf Kvedulfsson and Thorolf Skallagrimsson share more likeable traits, while Egil, Skallagrim, and Kveldulf share less likeable traits. They are all eager for glory, as evidenced by the two Thorolfs who join the king's men just to find favor, while Egil is eager for glory though battle. In chapter 46, when Egil and his men have escaped imprisonment and run off with booty, Egil insists on going back and killing their captors, because otherwise it would have been a cowardly plunder.
The most important trait this family shares is an inherent ability to anger the king. Thorolf Kveldufsson had been on his good side, but when he refused to rejoin the king's men and abandon his own followers, he set the tone for the rest of the saga and the struggle between his family and the Norweigan royals. Skallagrim wanted to return the axe that the king had sent, but thankfully one of his sons threw it into the ocean, therefore avoiding that potential catastrophe. Thorolf Skallagrimsson and Egil inherit this quality, as Thorir remarks, "'But you, Egil, have inherited your family's gift for caring too little about incurring the king's wrath, and that will be a great burden for most people to bear'" (71).
Some other traits Egil's family share, that are evident throughout most of the sagas and therefore important Viking qualities, are being proud, stubborn, determined, strong, poetic, difficult, short-tempered, loyal to friends, and having a strong intuition about the future.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Week Ten Reaction: Prologue to the Prose Edda
What strikes me as most significant about the prologue to the Prose Edda is the excuses the author makes for ancient humans forgetting the Christian God. This by itself would not seem so extreme if then the excuse was not stretched to explain how they could remember to worship a vague deity who they perceived controlled earth and the heavens. And, "that they might fasten it in memory, they gave names out of their own minds to all things", which they could then remember? I just found that section a little sketchy, but I can guess that the connection between the two religious views had to be inserted so that later Christians would not feel they were being pagans in learning about the old gods of the unconverted heathens.
I also found it curious that Asia is described by men from northern Europe as "the centre of the earth; and even as the land there is lovelier and better in every way than in other places, so also were the sons of men there most favored with all goodly gifts: wisdom, and strength of the body, beauty, and all manner of knowledge." I would think the culture would try to bolster its own importance, aside from the fact that they are claiming descent from Troy (which is what the Romans did too.... interesting). I would think most cultures would say they were the best, but perhaps this idea is tainted by my American background.
I also found it curious that Asia is described by men from northern Europe as "the centre of the earth; and even as the land there is lovelier and better in every way than in other places, so also were the sons of men there most favored with all goodly gifts: wisdom, and strength of the body, beauty, and all manner of knowledge." I would think the culture would try to bolster its own importance, aside from the fact that they are claiming descent from Troy (which is what the Romans did too.... interesting). I would think most cultures would say they were the best, but perhaps this idea is tainted by my American background.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Week Nine Reaction: Norse Mythology
I enjoyed the introduction to the Norse Mythology book, mostly because it is such a departure from the Icelandic Sagas we have been focusing on. The most mystical element of those sagas has been dreams, and the demon in the privy at night, and some vague references to the gods. In contrast, this section was full of gods and elves and giants-- reminded me a lot of Lord of the Rings, which I have to admit I am a big fan of. I can totally see how Tolkien was influenced by Norse mythology. The story on page 14 where a dwarf turns into stone when the sun rises completely parallels a scene in The Hobbit. And the reference on page 19 to a "gold and cursed ring that plays a large role in heroic legend"... but I digress.
Some of the historical elements I found particuarly interesing were the origins of the Goths, Vandals, and Anglo-Saxons (all from Scandinavia), as well as the integration of Trojan warriors Priam and Agamemmnon into Snorri's version of Thor's parentage, and the Viking influence in naming Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I also liked the section which described poetry, although I was very surprised to learn that meter is a factor in composing poems, because I had considered all the ones we've read so far free verse. The elements of meter must get lost in translation.
I found the entry on Baldr particuarly fascinating, mostly because there are two completely different stories involved. Although the author attempts to find similarities, the only real connection between the two is vengeance, which as we have seen is an element in the majority of the Icelandic Sagas. I thought that Frigg, Odin's wife, showed extreme stupidity in readily telling Loki, disguised as a woman, that the only living thing that can kill Baldr is mistletoe. That kind of thing should be kept secret if you go to the great trouble of getting an oath from every living thing, in my opinion.
I also read the entry on the Ginnunga Gap, which is the "primeval void that existed before the creation of the cosmos" (141). Snorri essentially writes that human beings emerged from poisonous ice that melted in an evil wind. A person called Ymir was created, and then his body formed the cosmos. I find creationism stories fascinating and thought this one was pretty unique.
Some of the historical elements I found particuarly interesing were the origins of the Goths, Vandals, and Anglo-Saxons (all from Scandinavia), as well as the integration of Trojan warriors Priam and Agamemmnon into Snorri's version of Thor's parentage, and the Viking influence in naming Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I also liked the section which described poetry, although I was very surprised to learn that meter is a factor in composing poems, because I had considered all the ones we've read so far free verse. The elements of meter must get lost in translation.
I found the entry on Baldr particuarly fascinating, mostly because there are two completely different stories involved. Although the author attempts to find similarities, the only real connection between the two is vengeance, which as we have seen is an element in the majority of the Icelandic Sagas. I thought that Frigg, Odin's wife, showed extreme stupidity in readily telling Loki, disguised as a woman, that the only living thing that can kill Baldr is mistletoe. That kind of thing should be kept secret if you go to the great trouble of getting an oath from every living thing, in my opinion.
I also read the entry on the Ginnunga Gap, which is the "primeval void that existed before the creation of the cosmos" (141). Snorri essentially writes that human beings emerged from poisonous ice that melted in an evil wind. A person called Ymir was created, and then his body formed the cosmos. I find creationism stories fascinating and thought this one was pretty unique.
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