The Saga of Grettir the Strong: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Saga of Grettir the Strong" is an Icelandic saga that chronicles the life of Grettir, a folk hero characterized by his immense strength and tragic outlaw status. Following an early act of violence that leads to his outlawry at the age of fourteen, Grettir embarks on a tumultuous journey filled with battles and feuds, including encounters with notorious figures such as raiders and jealous rivals. Central to the saga are significant characters like Onund, Grettir's ancestor, and Aesa, his wife, who represent the familial ties that shape Grettir's destiny. Grettir's relationships, particularly with his father Asmund, are fraught with conflict, reflecting broader themes of honor and vengeance.
Throughout the saga, Grettir faces both human adversaries and supernatural challenges, battling a fiendish shepherd named Glam, who ominously foretells Grettir's future fear of the dark. His life is marked by a series of violent confrontations, including the slaying of enemies like Thorbjorn Slowcoach and the evasion of capture with the assistance of loyal friends such as Hallmund. Ultimately, Grettir's story culminates in his downfall, marked by witchcraft and betrayal. The saga not only offers a glimpse into the heroic ideals of medieval Iceland but also explores complex themes of isolation, fear, and the human condition.
The Saga of Grettir the Strong: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Unknown
Genre: Novel
Locale: Iceland, Norway, and Constantinople
Plot: Folklore
Time: Eleventh century
Grettir the Strong, a folk hero of Iceland. Outlawed at fourteen after killing a man, he goes to Norway, where he routs a party of berserk raiders. Acclaimed as a hero, he becomes increasingly involved in murderous feuds, particularly after his return to Iceland. At last, able to trust no one because of the price on his head yet tormented by a growing fear of the dark that makes it impossible for him to live alone, he settles with a brother and a servant on an island accessible only by rope ladders. Several years later, he is overcome by witchcraft and killed.
Onund, his ancestor, a Viking who fled Norway to escape injustice and settled in Iceland.
Aesa, the wife of Onund.
Ofeig, the father of Aesa.
Thrand, a great hero who accompanied Onund to Iceland.
Asmund Longhair, the father of Grettir. During Grettir's youth, father and son quarreled constantly.
Skeggi, whom Grettir kills in the course of a quarrel. Thus begins Grettir's long outlawry.
Thorfinn, a Norwegian landman with whom Grettir makes a home after being shipwrecked.
Thorir and Ogmund, the leaders of a band of raiders who come to lay waste to Thorfinn's district during his absence. Grettir kills both.
Karr-the-Old, the long-dead father of Thorfinn. After Grettir kills the raiders, Thorfinn gives him an ancient sword from the treasure hoard of Karr-the-Old.
Bjorn, who is jealous of Grettir's strength and bravery. Grettir kills him.
Jarl Sveinn, before whom Grettir is summoned after killing Bjorn.
Thorgils Maksson, Asmund's kinsman, slain in a quarrel. Asmund takes up the feud against the murderers.
Glam, a shepherd possessed by a fiend. Grettir fights him and kills him, but before his death, Glam predicts that Grettir will come to fear the dark.
Thorbjorn Slowcoach, an enemy killed by Grettir.
Thorbjorn Oxmain, a kinsman of Slowcoach. He gets revenge for Slowcoach's death by killing Grettir's brother. Grettir then kills Oxmain and his son.
Atli, Grettir's brother, who is killed by Oxmain.
Thorir of Gard, whose sons are having a drunken feast in an inn to which Grettir has swum for coals to make a fire. In the ensuing fight, the inn and Thorir's sons are burned. Thorir later puts a price on Grettir's head.
Thorodd, a kinsman of Thorbjorn Oxmain. He also puts a price on Grettir's head.
Einar, on whose lonely farm Grettir lives for a time. Grettir falls in love with Einar's daughter, but he knows that his suit is hopeless because of his reputation.
Snaekoll, a wild, lawless man who comes to Einar's farm. Grettir kills him.
Thorsteinn Dromund, the half brother of Grettir. Grettir goes to stay with him after giving up his suit for Einar's daughter. Thorsteinn swears to avenge Grettir if he should be slain. Years later, after Grettir's death, Thorsteinn pursues the murderer to Constantinople, where he kills him with the sword of Karr-the-Old.
Thorbjorg, a wise woman who releases Grettir after he is captured by some farmers.
Grim, an outlaw whom Grettir kills because Grim is intending to kill him for the reward money.
Redbeard, an outlaw hired by Thorir of Gard to kill Grettir but who is killed by Grettir.
Hallmund, Grettir's friend. He prevents Grettir's capture by helping him against a force of eighty men led by Thorir of Gard. Later, Hallmund is treacherously slain for the aid he gave to Grettir.
Steinvor of Sandhauger, who gives birth to a boy whom many call Grettir's son. The boy dies at seventeen.
Illugi, Grettir's youngest brother, who lives with him in an almost inaccessible island. He dies with Grettir when they are attacked.
Thorbjorn Angle, who overcomes Grettir with the aid of witchcraft and kills him. Outlawed, Thorbjorn goes to Constantinople, where he is pursued and killed by Grettir's half brother, Thorsteinn Dromund.
Steinn the Lawman, who decrees that Thorbjorn Angle cannot collect the reward because of his use of witchcraft.