article
Economic representation and narrative structure in Hœnsa-þóris saga
Saga book of the Viking Society for Northern Research • 22 • 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).
- HRAF PubDate
- 2004
- Region
- Europe
- Sub Region
- Scandinavia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Ethnologists, Humanist-4
- Analyst
- John Beierle ; 2002
- 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