Difference between revisions of "Newberry 2024 Graduate Conference Abstract"
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The literature of medieval Scandinavia reflects a world in transition; oral culture gives way to written; regional autonomy to nations governed by kings; and traditional religions to Christianity, to name just a few. These are macro-level transformations, but underlying and supporting them are myriad stories of individuals in transformation. My research takes a micro-level, case study approach to explore a limited number of these personal narratives in order to extrapolate common motifs and processes related to the larger theme of transformation. | The literature of medieval Scandinavia reflects a world in transition; oral culture gives way to written; regional autonomy to nations governed by kings; and traditional religions to Christianity, to name just a few. These are macro-level transformations, but underlying and supporting them are myriad stories of individuals in transformation. My research takes a micro-level, case study approach to explore a limited number of these personal narratives in order to extrapolate common motifs and processes related to the larger theme of transformation. | ||
| − | How to Change | + | How to Change Your Viking*: A Transformative Bromance in Saxo's Gesta Danorum. |
| − | Saxo Grammaticus devotes the largest portion of his monumental history to the entwined narratives of two characters: His patron Absalon, Archbishop of Lund, and his patron's king, Valdemar I. Saxo follows the two men through the Danish civil war, Valdemar's co-regency and | + | Saxo Grammaticus devotes the largest portion of his monumental history to the entwined narratives of two characters: His patron Absalon, Archbishop of Lund, and his patron's king, Valdemar I. Saxo follows the two men through the Danish civil war, Valdemar's co-regency and rise to sole monarch of Denmark, Absalon's election and consecration first as Bishop, then Archbishop, and finally the death of Valdemar. In Saxo's narrative, the relationship between Absalon and Valdemar is far more than Bishop to King--they are foster-brothers, devoted lifelong friends, and each serves as the primary catalyst in the other's transformative journey. |
| − | My research focuses on | + | My research focuses on narratives of personal transformation in Medieval Scandinavian literature |
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| + | *I realize that, among other things, the 12th century context pushes the limits of who we can reasonably call "vikings." On the other hand, Absalon and Valdemar's favorite brotherly pastime seems to be strapping on their swords, hopping into a boat at the head of a fleet, sailing down-river and wreaking havoc on the Slavs. I can't think of anything more "viking" than that. Well... other than the fact that Saxo himself refers to Absalon as a pirata--which Zeeberg notes is usually rendered in Danish as "viking." | ||
Revision as of 18:54, 8 October 2023
The literature of medieval Scandinavia reflects a world in transition; oral culture gives way to written; regional autonomy to nations governed by kings; and traditional religions to Christianity, to name just a few. These are macro-level transformations, but underlying and supporting them are myriad stories of individuals in transformation. My research takes a micro-level, case study approach to explore a limited number of these personal narratives in order to extrapolate common motifs and processes related to the larger theme of transformation.
How to Change Your Viking*: A Transformative Bromance in Saxo's Gesta Danorum.
Saxo Grammaticus devotes the largest portion of his monumental history to the entwined narratives of two characters: His patron Absalon, Archbishop of Lund, and his patron's king, Valdemar I. Saxo follows the two men through the Danish civil war, Valdemar's co-regency and rise to sole monarch of Denmark, Absalon's election and consecration first as Bishop, then Archbishop, and finally the death of Valdemar. In Saxo's narrative, the relationship between Absalon and Valdemar is far more than Bishop to King--they are foster-brothers, devoted lifelong friends, and each serves as the primary catalyst in the other's transformative journey.
My research focuses on narratives of personal transformation in Medieval Scandinavian literature
- I realize that, among other things, the 12th century context pushes the limits of who we can reasonably call "vikings." On the other hand, Absalon and Valdemar's favorite brotherly pastime seems to be strapping on their swords, hopping into a boat at the head of a fleet, sailing down-river and wreaking havoc on the Slavs. I can't think of anything more "viking" than that. Well... other than the fact that Saxo himself refers to Absalon as a pirata--which Zeeberg notes is usually rendered in Danish as "viking."
