Essay

Some questions to help as you read:

How does the fact that these Sagas are written in the 13th century about events in the 10th/11th century impact their believability and usefulness?
- Does the “style” of these texts help or hinder their “believability” or “utility”?
What does the role of “family” play in these Sagas (keeping in mind that they are really all about one group of related people)
How do these Scandinavians compare with those we met inBeowulf? Or in the Vita Anskarii? How do they compare with your idea of “Vikings”?
Why are these people traveling? Do their reasons fit with our earlier texts or are we seeing new and different reasons for travel and exploration?