Íslendingaþættir versus Íslendingasǫgur: a Brief Comparison of Narrative Techniques

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to argue that Old Norse short stories called þættir represent, inside the body of Old Norse literature, a specific narrative form. The specific features of Old Norse short stories were shown through their comparison with the genre of family sagas.

The short stories should not be underestimated as they may have played an important social role in the Old Norse society.

Keywords

• Old Norse Short Stories
• Old Norse Sagas
• Family Sagas
• Narratology
• Narrative Techniques