Old Norse-Icelandic Literature: A Critical Guide PDF
Preview Old Norse-Icelandic Literature: A Critical Guide
ISBN 0-4014-1755-4 Old Norse—Icelandic Literature A Critical Guide Edited by Carol J. Clover and John Lindow The current revival of interest in the rich and varied literature of early Scan dinavia has prompted a corresponding interest in its background: its origins, so cial and historical context, and relation ship to other medieval literatures. Even readers with a knowledge of Old Norse and Icelandic have found these subjects difficult to pursue, however, for up-to- date reference works in any language are few and none exist in English. To fill the gap, six distinguished schol ars have contributed ambitious new essays to this volume. The contributors summar ize and comment on scholarly work in the major branches of the field: eddic and skaldic poetry, family and kings’ sagas, courtly writing, and mythology. Taken together, their judicious and attractively written essays—each with a full bibliog raphy—make up the first book-length survey of Old Norse literature in English, and a basic reference work that will stimu late research in these areas and help to open up the field to a wider academic readership. Theodore M. Andersson is a member of the faculty of Stanford University. Among his books are The Legend of Brynhild. Carol J. Clover, the author of The Medieval Saga (see back of jacket), teaches at the Uni versity of California, Berkeley. Roberta (continued on back flap) ISLANDICA A SERIES RELATING TO ICELAND AND THE FISKE ICELANDIC COLLECTION CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES EDITED BY JOSEPH HARRIS VOLUME XLV Old Norse-Icelandic Literature: A Critical Guide EDITED BY Carol J. Clover and John Lindow Old Norse-Icelandic Literature A Critical Guide EDITED BY Carol J. Clover and John Lindow ISLANDICA XLV Cornell University Press Ithaca and London, 1985 Cornell University Press gratefully acknowledges financial contributions from Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, that aided in bringing this book to publication. Copyright © 1985 by Cornell University All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, 124 Roberts Place, Ithaca, New York 14850. First published 1985 by Cornell University Press. International Standard Book Number 0-8014-1755-4 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 85-47697 Printed in the United States of America Librarians: Library of Congress cataloging information appears on the last page of the book. The paper in this book is acid-free and meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources. Contents Preface 7 Abbreviations 12 Mythology and Mythography 21 John Lindow Eddie Poetry 68 Joseph Harris Skaldic Poetry 157 Roberta Frank Kings’ Sagas (Konungasögur) 197 Theodore M. Andersson Icelandic Family Sagas (íslendingasögur) 239 Carol J. Clover Norse Romance (Riddarasögur) 316 Marianne Kalinke Contributors 365 Index of Texts and Authors 367 Index of Critics 373 Index of Topics 384 5
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