Reviews for The Saga of Gunnlaugur Snake's Tongue: With an Essay on the Structure and Translation of the Saga

The average rating for The Saga of Gunnlaugur Snake's Tongue: With an Essay on the Structure and Translation of the Saga based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-05-22 00:00:00 Frank Patrick This is one small specimen of the vast Icelandic literature that flourished between the 10th and the 14th century AD. Vikings had been settling in Iceland since the 8th century, but literary production began after the Christianisation of the island (around 999). Between that time and the annexation by the Norwegian crown (in the late Middle Ages), Iceland enjoyed a sort of literary golden age: the age of the sagas 'a term that means "tale", "story", "narrative". These sagas, for the most part, recount the stories of the old families living on the island, the adventures, the romance, the rivalries, the friendships. They also provide a glimpse into medieval Icelandic society and culture, such as the clans, the Althing (assembly of the heads of families), the laws and honour code. The texts are often crisp and to the point, discarding any side note, any embellishment or pathos, but with hints of a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour 'which perhaps had some influence on the British genius. Some sagas cover events such as the voyages of Erik the Red or the discovery of North America. Most famous of all are the remarkable sagas written by Snorri Sturluson, author of The Prose Edda and the Heimskringla: or, The Lives of the Norse Kings. This Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-tongue is a text of the late period (end of 13th century), and primarily a romantic tragedy: Gunnlaug is in love with Helga the Fair. Her father agrees to give her away to him. But Gunnlaug first wants to embark on a voyage around the North Sea, from Norway to Britain. In the end, things don't turn out quite as planned. It may be that this star-crossed lovers story was influenced by the Anglo-Norman tradition (Chrétien de Troyes, for instance)? Surely sagas such as this one have had a direct or indirect influence (through Saxo Grammaticus) on Shakespeare's tragedies. Finally, it is important to note that the characters are all said to be both mighty warriors as well as skilled poets. As a result, this saga, like many others, is interspersed with skaldic poetry, a genre that is very specific, due to the extensive use of coded metaphors 'the famous kenningar, which have fascinated J.L. Borges.

Review # 2 was written on 2015-04-19 00:00:00 Richard Lewis When the reader has first adjusted himself to the torrent of names, so frequently dumped on his lap, he will begin to enjoy this short tale. There are many sons of great men that are mentioned constantly, but that is the style of the saga. Much weight is put on the deeds of one's forbears, and to criticise the tale because of this is to ignore a tale that is worthy of merit in its own right. The plot of the book is centred upon the rivalry of Gunnlaug and Hrafn. Gunnlaugh loves Helga and has sorted her father's permission for marriage. His answer is, essentially, come back when you're a bit more mature and then you can have my daughter. Hrafn finds out about the arrangement and tries to steal Helga for a perceived slight against his honour. A love triangle is created which ends in blood and neither man getting the girl. This is an entertaining story, but not an overly memorable one. However, what from reading this I have found a new form of literature that I would like to read more of: the saga. Penguin Little Black Classic- O3 The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn't help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.