Old Norse Images of Women (Anniversary Collection) - Hardcover

Jochens, Jenny

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0812233581 ISBN 13: 9780812233582

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2017

Synopsis

Working from the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, and Old Norse prose narratives and laws, Jenny Jochens argues for an underlying cultural continuum of a pagan pantheon and a set of heroic figures shared by the Germanic tribes in Europe, Britain, Scandinavia, and Iceland from A.D. 500 to 1500. Old Norse Images of Women explores the female half of this legacy, which involves images both divine and human. In a society marked by sharp gender divisions, women were frequently portrayed as one of four conventional types. The warrior woman was exemplified by the valkyrie, sheildmaiden, or maiden king. The wise woman was a prophetess or sorceress. The avenger is best seen in Gudrun, whose focus of revenge shifted from husband to brothers. Last, there were the whetters or inciters, who appear both in the Continental setting as Brynhildr and as ubiquitous figures in medieval Icelandic literature, ranging from Norwegian queens to humble milkmaids.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Working from the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, and Old Norse prose narratives and laws, Jenny Jochens argues for an underlying cultural continuum of a pagan pantheon and a set of heroic figures shared by the Germanic tribes in Europe, Britain, Scandinavia, and Iceland from AD 500 to 1500. Old Norse Images of Women explores the female half of this legacy, which involves images both divine and human.

Synopsis:

The warrior, the wise woman, the avenger, and the whetter or inciter are the four conventional female types that Jochene (history, Towson State U.) distills from the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, Icelandic sagas, other Old Norse prose narratives, and laws. She places them in the cultural continuum of a pagan pantheon and a set of heroic figures shar

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0812233581
• ISBN 13: 9780812233582
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 344