Njáls saga

Lore & Background

The saga follows the friends Njáll Þorgeirsson, a lawyer and sage, and Gunnar Hámundarson, a formidable warrior. Gunnar's wife, Hallgerðr langbrók, instigates a feud that leads to the death of many characters over several decades, including the killing by fire of the eponymous 'Burnt Njáll'. The narrative includes omens and prophetic dreams, and it is disputed whether this reflects a fatalistic outlook on the part of the author.

Reader's Guide

Njáls saga explores the consequences of vengeance as a defense of family honor, spanning some 50 years. It shows how even worthy people can destroy themselves by disputes and demonstrates tensions in the Icelandic Commonwealth that eventually led to its destruction. Insults involving a character's manliness are especially prominent, and some scholars argue the saga criticizes an overly restrictive ideal of masculinity. The role of fate and fatalism is a matter of scholarly contention, with views ranging from a strong heathen spirit to a rejection of fatalism. The saga is anonymous, though speculation on authorship includes Snorri Sturluson and others. It likely drew on oral tradition and written sources such as Laxdæla saga and Eyrbyggja saga. The major events are probably historical, but the author shaped the material for artistic purposes.

Did You Know?

• The saga is also called Brennu-Njáls saga, which can be translated as The Story of Burnt Njáll or The Saga of Njáll the Burner.
• The principal characters include the friends Njáll Þorgeirsson, a lawyer and sage, and Gunnar Hámundarson, a formidable warrior.
• The author is anonymous, though suggested authors include Snorri Sturluson and Sæmundr fróði.
• The saga is the longest and most highly developed of the sagas of Icelanders.