Reading Animal-Human Relations: Sámr and Gunnarr Njáls saga.
In: Scandinavian Studies, Jg. 95 (2023-03-01), Heft 1, S. 1-22
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Zugriff:
This article proposes that the role of other animal-human partnerships in the Íslendingasögur needs to be closely examined in the same way as performed here for Sámr and Gunnarr, to fully understand the animal-human interactions in these Old Norse-Icelandic texts. Gunnarr's response to Sámr's death, his comment on Sámr's mistreatment, the reference to foster-kinship, and the acknowledgment of his impending death - these features suggest the relationship between Gunnarr and Sámr is here, at the point of death, depicted as akin to that expressed by "sworn-brothers" in Old Norse-Icelandic sources. This description of Sámr's traits and response to Ólafr's command simultaneously depicts Sámr as both animal and more than animal. This command can be read in two ways - Óláfr may refer here to Sámr's limitations as a dog, telling him to "be to him such as you are able as a dog", or his words may reinforce the outstanding, madr-like capabilities and status of Sámr: "Be to him such as you are able as a possessor of these abilities", reminding the dog that he has these abilities and should use them in this partnership with Gunnarr. [Extracted from the article]
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Titel: |
Reading Animal-Human Relations: Sámr and Gunnarr Njáls saga.
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Autor/in / Beteiligte Person: | Tang, Harriet J. Evans |
Zeitschrift: | Scandinavian Studies, Jg. 95 (2023-03-01), Heft 1, S. 1-22 |
Veröffentlichung: | 2023 |
Medientyp: | academicJournal |
ISSN: | 0036-5637 (print) |
DOI: | 10.5406/21638195.95.1.02 |
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