Old Norse Myths, Literature and Society: The Viking Collection

by Margaret Clunies Ross (editor)

This volume is a collection of thirteen essays by leading scholars from diverse fields. Most of the essays were presented in an earlier form at the 11th. International Saga Conference in Sydney in July 2000. It examines some of the most complex and perplexing questions that arise when modern scholars approach the rich but often puzzling evidence for belief in and use of myths in early Scandinavia. The essays illustrate the advantages of bringing approaches that use a range of methodologies, from literary studies to archeology, and from history to the history of religions, to bear upon the evidence that has survived.

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Margaret Beryl Clunies Ross is a medievalist who was until her retirement in 2009 the McCaughey Professor of English Language and Early English Literature and Director of the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Sydney.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the essays were erudite to the point where I just had to skim bits, but as reference material this has been an exceptionally handy work.

I appreciated that nearly all the quotations had been translated into English so that non-Icelandic speakers can still grasp the points being argued based on them.