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.