Friends In Adversity

Material richness, a moment, and a dispute will have an end, but a friendship may overcome anything and last forever. Friends are those people who you can count on blindly, because you know that they would do anything for your benefit. A real friendship ignores pride and social pressure. It must be an unbreakable bond which not even disaster may overwhelm. And such is the friendship between Njal and Gunnar, for not even their families can make them distance from one another.

When Gunnar went to Njal for advice, he said: “I have many friends for whom it is fitting that I give good counsel, and yet I will take the greatest pains with you (p.37).” This words show how important Gunnar´s friendship is to him, it reflect how far Njal would go to help his friends. As he said it, people have many friends but not all friendships are equal. Some friendships are very superficial, while other run deep into trust and become almost as bonds between brothers. What wouldn’t you do for a brother who needs you? The same thing real friends feel for one another, because in a friendship the only interest will be the common good, and never is it as superficial as personal benefit.

Again a real friend emerges when Gunnar is in need of hay and food but no man wants to sell some to him. Njal learns about this and shares some of his. “Here is hay and food which I want to give you. I don’t want you ever to turn to anyone but me when you’re in need (p.80).” This act of generosity with Gunnar reflects how no matter the shortage there is, Njal is not willing to let his friend suffer as long as he can help it. When a person is in need, he first turns to people he has helped in the past to have a favor back, but if this doesn’t work, who else can he turn to other than his friends and family.

A friendship is a support; it is a helping hand that will never hesitate. I don’t quite remember who, but someone in history once said: “Adversity shows who your real friends are”. A good friendship is a real treasure that we should strive to maintain at all costs. This is the sad reality of people, who only show their true essence in times of trouble and shortage. But this is also the nice part about friendship, because a real friend in times of adversity is like rain in the dessert.

Family: A Title

The family is the base unit of identity in every society. You are judged according to where you come from. There have even been cases where people present themselves by who their parents are more than their own name. This feeling of an identity is a very strong one. A bond of blood between brethren is an unexplainable force that unites people under one same title. In Njal´s saga the importance of family is nothing to take lightly. People kill and get killed for their linage, and they will do anything to bring honor to their ancestors and houses.

As we discussed in class, the purpose of the people in the plot is rather different from ours. Their objective in life is simply to bring honor and glory upon themselves and their houses. They are the protagonists of great deeds only to be remembered through history, to gain some title to their future linage. People always find help in their kinsmen, for the bond between them is so strong and they take it very seriously. An example of the importance people gave to family business is clearly seen at the beginning where Unn decides to reclaims her family’s money and their honor.

“It was through force rather than by law that Hrut pushed that through,” she said.”My father was old, and that was why men thought it best not to fight. Besides, there’s no one in my family to take up this matter if you don’t have the backbone to do so (p.36).”

When Unn asked this from Gunnar he accepted because he wouldn’t ever reject a petition from a family member, especially if it was to avenge the honor of her father. Gunnar offered to give her money but she rejected, which shows that her true objective wasn’t the material benefit, but it was to avenge her name and her house. It all revolves around family and the course of it though history.

People in Njal´s Saga had few objectives in life other than to obtain honor and glory for their families. The best family was always the one with the strongest and bravest men. For this reason people did all of what they did, to make their family more than a last name, a title.

Whats The Story Fame And Glory

Why where Njal and his people in this world? What was their purpose?

Their purpose in life is a peculiar one. They were not here to reach an eternal paradise as many people are, neither do they exist to help others and produce progress as one would hope. They didn’t believe life was about personal peace or spiritual devotion, and their conscience had no voice. They were here to be the heroes of great deeds, to leaves their names and legacy through generations, to honor their linage. For them it was all about obtaining pride and glory, they all sought to be the best, the strongest, the most powerful, the most cunning.

At first the event between Gunnar and Hruk is all about honor and respect, they are trying to prove they are better and on the process humiliations come by. Its all bout pride and resentment on past events, the social law is always to take care of what others think about you. Never let anyone humiliate you or try, that’s the worst insult. Then when all you can do to gain respect in your society is done, you must go out to the world and look for fame and glory as Gunnar did on his raids.

“It appears to me that your equal is not to be found far or near (p.50).” Those where the words of a king while he offered Gunnar a wife and large holdings if he was willing to settle there. But as expected the man refused, for his real intentions where to bring his deeds back home where he could take pride in them and win more respect amongst men. Indeed he proves his valor and power when he comes back, and with such a story behind him he becomes a better person to the context of his society, he comes closer to achieving the purpose of his life.

Njal said that he was a most valiant man, “And though you have been much tried, you will be tried much more, because many men will envy you (p.52).” Here Njal reflect the need for being the best. Gunnar will be tried by many others to get him to fall from his throne, to demerit his title. It is an envious society in which not only their goal is to prove themselves the strongest, but to defy anyone who finds fame and glory. No one finds peace in Njal´s Saga. It’s all about taking whatever chance one has, about being the best and keeping politics as best as possible.

The Background Story

Eve was made from Adams rib precisely for a reason. Women are masterminds in getting their will done. Thought history women have caused disputes, arguments and even wars. They have no trouble getting to where they want by using all the possible means. In Njal´s Saga we can see how some women fight a constant dispute for power and pride. Both Njal´s and Gunnar´s wives have the power to get them to do almost anything, the exception being to fight each other, for their friendship is the only thing strong enough to survive this battle. Hallgerd came and made out of Gunnar´s life a disaster by getting involved in a series of killings which where avenged and sought revenge.

“She shall never spoil our friendship” said Gunnar (p.54)

Men know the power of women and for this reason we are able to establish some limits. Gunnar makes it clear to his wife that she has power over much of him but never will she be able to end with his friendship with Njal, for he has his family in high esteem. But at the same time, he allows her to freely kill Njals servants, which may be inferred as a sign of authority and power due to her position. She also demonstrates some resentment, even jealousy, towards Njal by trying to humiliate him. She even mocks him and his family in public to show her inconformity.

“Let’s call him “Old Beardless” and his sons “Dung-beardlings”, and you, Sigmund, make up a poem about this and give us the benefit of you being a poet” (Hallgerd p. 74).

As shown in this scene she acts immaturely and shows the resentment she feels towards Njal. Women are therefore a very important influence in the plot, for it is because of them that much happens. Bergthora is more of a wife, but in her pride lies and possesses her. She is not able to see how Hallgerd does her will without a feeling of rivalry.

In Njal´s saga the rivalry between the women in the story is always present and deeply proven in the plot, where they are able to be the protagonists of a background story where they use everything in their possession to prove themselves better. It is a negative circle where they must do to others as done to them. The theme of women in the plot is a representation of a strange and powerful force, the force of love and compromise against the force of reason.

The Vengance Of The Resentful

It is said that whatever you do to someone, it will come back to you in some way or another. Gunnar´s vengeance in name of Unn is the vivid example of this idea. He claimed the money from Hurt by deceiving him and challenging him to a duel, who had taken it from Unn´s ancestor in a similar way. Destiny was responsible for taking Hrut´s malice and turning back to him.

The idea of “vengeance” is taken in many cultures as a sort of “justice”. In Hammurabi’s Code law was established in a way in which more than a punishment, law is a vengeance against the aggressor. Through history people have acted upon honor and vengance by getting involved in problems that are not their own or simply by wanting to give the last strike to feel some sort of ignorant victory. Similar is the case advised by Njal where a long forged resentment takes characters to fight a dispute over money that changes hands through generations.

“Then Hoskuld spoke: “May you enjoy it the same way you have earned it.”
“We´ll enjoy it greatly, because the claim was a just one, “said Gunnar.”

From the point of view of Hoskuld and Hrut that money is rightfully earned and the way it was taken from them was unacceptable and therefore their enemies should eternally suffer. On the other hand, Gunnar and Unn, with support from Njal, consider their action completely reasonable and necessary. They are simply claiming their own. That’s why this vengative dispute is so objective, because both sides will strive to achieve their own concept of justice.

Vengance makes problems develop in circles where they find no rest until everything is completely destroyed, leaving behind no winners. That’s why justice must be unbiased and democratic, so that the overall benefit is equally distributed and problems are put to end by reason. Vengance takes to resentments, and resentments lead to general loss. Let’s leave our problems behind and forget about pride, only then will we be able to leave satisfied and in peace with ourselves and others.

Mathew

After a long journey from Galilee, the man comes to Jerusalem tired and lonely. He is accompanied only by his story and his desire to share it. He directs himself to a famous inn at the far north of the city. Finding himself a table, he signals the innkeeper for a bottle of wine to accompany his solitude. Ignoring the crowd and the noise in the place, he takes out a paper and starts scribbling down notes about the story. Such a strange scenario attracts the attention of an old man, who comes and sits in his table.

“What’s your quest my friend? What’s that which has you so absorbed in writing?”

“It’s the story of Jesus and the kingdom of heaven exactly as it was.”

“The prophet? Go ahead now, tell me the story and clear all those doubts out of my head.”

“I didn’t know Jesus myself, but I’m quite certain of the facts. It all starts with the visit of the Holy Ghost. It was then when Mary found who the creature within herself. At the same time Joseph learned about the existence of Jesus Christ, son of David, through a dream, and took Mary for wife to help her with the child. Jesus was born under the rule of Herod, who feared him for he saw him as the one who might replace him.”

“What about the wise men and their gifts? When do they come?”

“Be patient fellow. The order is of great importance so that you can grasp the complete picture.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be patient on your story.”

“Herod told the wise men to give him the location of the kid, so that he could go worship him along with them. They were glad to hear and headed to the star they knew marked the place. They headed east to the young child bringing with them gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts to the newborn. Being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and so went back to their lands through different routes.”

“I see. Dreams are the main method of communication between God and the people.”

“One might say. At least until Jesus grew up.”

“I see. Go Ahead now with the story.”

“Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary, escaping the wrath of Herod after he learned about the mocking of the wise men. The king executed every child in Bethlehem that had less than two years of age. Soon Herod died and Joseph came back to dwell in Nazareth where Jesus grew.”
“Joseph was definitely an important part of the facts as you say it.”

“He was. At the time John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea. He told the people to repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He told them about the one who was to come, he who would baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire. Jesus was already grown and came to john to be baptized, who was astonished at this. He did as asked and when baptized, the heavens opened and a voice talked. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Then it was time for Jesus to be tempted by the devil.”

“Oh no! Who can resist the temptation of the devil?”

“Don’t worry, Jesus could. First he fasted forty days and their nights until the devil told him to make bread out of stone, but not only of bread does man live. Then he took him to a pinnacle of the temple and ordered him to cast himself down because the angels would come rescue him. Jesus told him that it was not proper to tempt the Lord thy God. He then offered to Jesus unlimited power and material richness if only he worshiped him. Jesus stood firm on his principles of worshiping Lord God, and him only shall thou serve.”

“Amazing, what a strong character did Jesus posses.”

“The Jesus went to Galilee to preach. More and more followers joined his cause after they heard his parables or witnessed his miracles. And as he saw the multitude he went to the top of a mountain along with his disciples. In the Mountain Jesus talked to the people through parables and instructed them. He taught them about the kingdom of heaven and about eternal life.”

“He transmitted his messages through parables onto the people. But Why?”

“He did. It is because this was his way of making people understand things. Many times we listen and see, but we really don’t understand. He made people think and understand what their flaws where. He walked through lands making miracles and cleansing of their diseases those who had faith. He told his disciples to preach and gave him powers to cleanse and heal in their faith.”

“Faith is the basic element that Jesus wished to transmit right?”

“Correct, because only in faith can you truly believe. Herod came to know about all Jesus was doing and believed it was John the Baptist in his resurrection. He had John in prison and had him beheaded on the wish of his brother’s wife. Jesus had proved his ability to do miracles through faith by healing, exorcising and even walking on water. Now it was time for everyone to have faith. He took some disciples with him, to whom the voice of God appeared and again said this was his beloved Son, in whom he was well pleased. They were afraid but Jesus told them not to panic.”

“They panicked at the sight of God? So where is the faith?”

“That’s how men all are. Then they approached Jerusalem headed for the Mount of Olives. He went into the temple and cleansed it out of people who had any business apart from praying. His house had been converted to a den of thieves by those people.”

“May I interrupt with a question?"

“Only if it’s completely relevant”

“It is. Being you a tax collector, what do you think about this part of the story?”

“That’s not the point. As I was telling you in Jerusalem there was a marriage. The Pharisees decided to trick Jesus in his own talk by all sort of means. He perceived their evil and fell not to their corrupted questions. He instructed his disciples in the Mount of Olives through various parables. He warned them that two days after the day of feast he would be betrayed by one of them. Judas asked if it would be he, and Jesus agreed to his surprise. They were gathered in what is called the last supper and he told his disciples: “eat, this is my body. Drink, this is my blood of the new testament.” Peter then told him he would never be offended by him to which Jesus replied by saying he was to deny him thrice before the cock crow. But why do you cry?”

“I cry because of what you say. You are convincing in your story, but Mathew, you are a cold man.”

“Let’s continue. Jesus prayed in Gethsemane and asked God to change his destiny if it be possible, but only as he wished. Then in prayer came Judas the traitor and a multitude sent by the chief priests and elders. He kissed Jesus and they seized him and took him. Afterwards they condemned him to death because of his blasphemy. The same day peter had denied him thrice and he remembers the words of Jesus. Next day Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate the governor to ask for his crucifixion. He didn’t agree and let Barabbas free in an attempt to negotiate. He finally washed his hands and declared himself innocent of what the people wanted to do to him.”

“That’s the most coward thing one can do.”

“As you say. The soldiers then dressed him in robes and mocked him before handing him in to be crucified. A man by the name of Simon had to bear the cross and take it to the place of crucifixion. He was crucified along with two thieves bearing a say that said: This is Jesus the king of the Jews. One of them tempted him to come down as the devil did. Then when he called for Elias he was given to drink vinegar. He died and the temple came down and bodies of saint arose from sleep. His body was given to be buried and on his tomb there was set a watch. And as he said Jesus resurrected. The watch was paid to say his body was stolen to make people doubt his resurrection.”

“He was really the son of the Lord God.”

“Have that for sure. And then he met with his disciples and told them to teach people. He was always with them, even until the end of the world. Amen.”

“What a story! Unbelievable my friend. I do understand you now and wish you the best of lucks with it.”

Mathew arose from his table and took with him his notes. He left the inn on an unknown direction, headed to wherever his story might take him,to wherever people might need the truth about the son of man.

John

Dear Tangen,

I was destined to be witness of the source of light, of the man from whom grace and truth come from. Here in Jerusalem I have met Jesus Christ and I can assure you, he is the Son of God. Through my account more people have become his followers, such as the case of the good Andrew. And it is not free that he earns his title. Remember the couple that you said would get married soon? Well you have good eye, they did. And Jesus saved the party, for he converted water into wine when no more was left. And when we arrived at his temple and saw moneychangers, he threw them out of his father’s house.

Of course we have encountered some disbelievers who lack faith in Jesus. That’s not a problem my friend, because Jesus is not a simple mortal. My Lord is from a divine source, and he himself is magnificent. I believe he is the way to salvation. Only by believing in him can you clean your sins because he is the Son of God. Sometimes his metaphors become hard to understand and interpret, but they all have their unique meanings that reflect something about the Christ.

We also came into Samaria, a place where people had much faith in his words. You wouldn’t believe how many of them accepted him as the messiah of the Jewish scriptures. I bet that not even in the place you live have you presenced such thing as I did in Galilee after visiting Samaria. He healed a boy so close to his death that all he had left was faith, and through faith my lord saved him. But remember when I told you that nothing was perfect? Well soon trouble came along.

Jews were angered at Jesus for his presence was disrupting the order of the society. But he is definitely not a disruption. Who could possibly be disturbed by the son of God? He is the fulfillment of promises of old. It is in his words that we can find eternal life and it is only in him that I found peace. Only he can feed thousands of people with only five breads and two fish. And I’m being very objective in those numbers, because they are no exaggeration. That is the dimensions of his power, a power to do good as big as no other.

In the Sea of Galilee, where we used to go on vacations, something amazing happened my friend. We were crossing it when we found Jesus walking on water as if it was solid ground. We continued our journey to Jerusalem where we saw him pray at his temple in fear of the guards, who wanted to arrest him, holding off only because of his numerous followers. They ask him what should be done with a woman who has broken the law in an attempt to trick him. But as you might have guessed, they failed. He replied to them that whoever is without a sin should be first to throw a stone at her. Of all the multitude, not one of them was clear of sins.

In presence of the unfaithful Pharisees my lord gives sight to a blind man. They are astonished and cannot believe their eyes. Jesus showed them how blind they really ware because they had in front of them salvation and failed to recognize it. But in Jerusalem people are ungrateful and tried to stone the son of God after he declared him so, and we barely escaped from the crowd. And would you think anything is impossible to the figure I’ve talked to you so much about? He resurrects Lazarus in front of our eyes.

But soon dark times where at hand when chief priests decided to end with the messiah in their lack of faith. We were all together in Passover meal where he washed our feat to my surprise. Would you have thought such a man with all his power would wash my dirty feet? Well he did was my unworthy feet as a sign of wisdom, for we must eliminate the feeling of superiority. He foresaw his death and the treason that was to lead to it. After teaching us to love one another he demonstrates how united him and God really are, father and Son in one same body and mind.

Judas was the traitor. He sold Jesus Christ to the high priests who take him to Pontius and get his crucifixion though the people. He even had to carry his own cross to the place of his death, something which had me in tears. After his death a soldier decided to pierce his body with a lance and he was amazed at the effect. He was definitely the Son of God to those unbelievers.
But that’s not all, because he resurrected as promised. He came out of his tomb guarded by two angels and met with us, his disciples.

He has commanded us to spread his teachings through the world so that his suffering is not in vain. And as he did for God his father, we shall do for Jesus our master. I hope you understand the urgency of this message anf the importance of it. As I know you are a wise and rational man you will consider my plea. Please have faith in God and Jesus who died for our salvation. Help me transmit the story through the world so that his words reach the darkest places. I appreciate your faith in advance my brother,

With the best of wishes,
John.