Hi, Jeremy! Nice post here. I like your take on why we should consider medieval literature important as you tackle it through the lense of the treatment of women. As all literature is, medieval literature is a look into the past that provides readers with the opportunity to study history and see how it relates to the present. Laxardal certainly promotes a more autonomous reality for women, however this is mostly seen in the domestic space. But, this is better than nothing, no?
Great topic, Jeremy. We considered this before, but it is a topic worth discussing again and again (both women and the significance of medieval literature). I think all literature is worth studying to a relative extent , but you are definitely right that experiences are not monolithic. This point is very insightful, and the saga about the people in Laxardal has been helpful in correcting our earlier impressions of ancient nordic culture. Humanity is a tapestry and we may only make more and more of it available by continuing to take in more and more literature, art, and other forms that can provide us further evidence of our past. This is the only way to uncover the big picture. This is why medieval literature is still important.
It is rather curious to see how both novels approach the autonomy of women since they were both written around the same time. While Laxardal seems more forth going to the autonomy of women, Egil somewhat falls under what one would expect from the writing of that time period when faced with the autonomy of women.
I’m considering writing my essay about the women in Laxardal, about feminine rage and how that is used in the story to give them power or take power. I love the representation of feminine rage, BECAUSE of the power that rage gives to women.
I have had the same line of thought in the department of the focus of women in this saga versus Egil's Saga. I for one love the inclusion of women in power and allows room for more character development, especially when the women are actually named. The title of this post has been a constant question for me throughout my medieval readings; however, your ending note, comparing modern lives to now, makes things seem a little more worth the read. And yes, I too agree, justice for Brak!
Hi Jeremy! I find that Unn is a very interesting figure in The Saga of The People of Laxardal. When speaking of medieval literature, I find that the representation of women is something that is sorely lacking in many of the works that I have been taught previously in high school. Unn and Olaf's respect of Unn as an autonomous figure in history is a factor of medieval literature that I have previously thought was lacking.
Hi, Jeremy! Nice post here. I like your take on why we should consider medieval literature important as you tackle it through the lense of the treatment of women. As all literature is, medieval literature is a look into the past that provides readers with the opportunity to study history and see how it relates to the present. Laxardal certainly promotes a more autonomous reality for women, however this is mostly seen in the domestic space. But, this is better than nothing, no?
Great topic, Jeremy. We considered this before, but it is a topic worth discussing again and again (both women and the significance of medieval literature). I think all literature is worth studying to a relative extent , but you are definitely right that experiences are not monolithic. This point is very insightful, and the saga about the people in Laxardal has been helpful in correcting our earlier impressions of ancient nordic culture. Humanity is a tapestry and we may only make more and more of it available by continuing to take in more and more literature, art, and other forms that can provide us further evidence of our past. This is the only way to uncover the big picture. This is why medieval literature is still important.
Thank you for sharing c:
It is rather curious to see how both novels approach the autonomy of women since they were both written around the same time. While Laxardal seems more forth going to the autonomy of women, Egil somewhat falls under what one would expect from the writing of that time period when faced with the autonomy of women.
I’m considering writing my essay about the women in Laxardal, about feminine rage and how that is used in the story to give them power or take power. I love the representation of feminine rage, BECAUSE of the power that rage gives to women.
I have had the same line of thought in the department of the focus of women in this saga versus Egil's Saga. I for one love the inclusion of women in power and allows room for more character development, especially when the women are actually named. The title of this post has been a constant question for me throughout my medieval readings; however, your ending note, comparing modern lives to now, makes things seem a little more worth the read. And yes, I too agree, justice for Brak!
Hi Jeremy! I find that Unn is a very interesting figure in The Saga of The People of Laxardal. When speaking of medieval literature, I find that the representation of women is something that is sorely lacking in many of the works that I have been taught previously in high school. Unn and Olaf's respect of Unn as an autonomous figure in history is a factor of medieval literature that I have previously thought was lacking.
Well Written!