Medieval Iceland

Program Details

This course surveys the literature and culture of medieval Iceland, with a focus on Old Norse Mythology and the Sagas of Icelanders. The myths and the sagas provide a window into the worldview of the culture of medieval Iceland, itself part of the larger Viking diaspora. During each session we will learn about a specific literary source and the story or stories it contains. Our primary texts include The Prose Edda, The Poetic Edda, The Saga of the People of Kjalarnes, and Eirik the Red’s Saga. Beyond learning about Iceland’s significant literary heritage, we will also discuss early audiences for these stories and consider the appearance and re-appearance of medieval Icelandic heritage in early-modern, modern, and popular cultures, in Iceland and beyond. FEE: Free for Patrons SCHEDULE: 4 Tuesdays, March 4 to 25 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM FORMAT: This is an online event. A link will be emailed to participants one day before the event. PRESENTER: Professor Andrew McGillivray, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, holds a PhD in Icelandic Literature and Contemporary Cultural Studies from the University of Iceland. He is currently an Associate Professor and Chair in Rhetoric & Communications at the University of Winnipeg. McGillivray has published a book about Old Norse Mythology and several articles about the Sagas of Icelanders, Icelandic literature and art, and the Icelandic heritage in North America.