article

Economic representation and narrative structure in Hœnsa-þóris saga

Saga book of the Viking Society for Northern Research22 • Published In 1988 • Pages: 143-164

By: Durrenberger, E. Paul, Durrenberger, Dorothy, Ástráõur Eysteinsson.

Abstract
After a brief summary of the economy and social structure of the Commonwealth Period in Iceland (ca. 930-1220 A.D.), the authors present a descriptive analysis of the Icelandic family saga entitled Hœnsa-þórir's as it reflects various cultural elements present in the society of the thirteenth century and earlier in Iceland. This particular saga '…describes a man who got rich by trading in Iceland, buying goods in one place to sell in another, and lending others wealth for interest, who accumulates merchant and usurer's capital. The presentation of the saga, the way the author tells the story to Hœnsa-þó rir's discredit, as well as the fates of Hœnsa-þórir and his supporters, raise questions about the place of commerce and markets in Iceland' (p. 144).
Subjects
Exchange transactions
External trade
Verbal arts
Accumulation of wealth
Social relationships and groups
Districts
Deliberative councils
culture
Early Icelanders
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
Europe
Sub Region
Scandinavia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Types
Ethnologist
Humanist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2002
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
tenth-thirteenth centuries AD
Coverage Place
general Iceland
Notes
E. Paul Durrenberger, Dorothy Durrenberger, Ástráõur Eysteinsson
Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-164)
LCCN
20013236
LCSH
Icelanders