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Document Analysis Assignment: The Vinland Sagas Translation by Keneva Kunz

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The translation of the Vinland Sagas by Keneva Kunz showcases the Viking journey and

exploration of North America in the 10th century around the year 1000 AD. Keneva Kunz, who

is a scholar and translator of Norse literature, translated the Vinland sagas into modern English

literature. Keneva Kunz translated and published the sagas in 2015 under "The Vinland Sagas:

The Norse Discovery of America." The original text's translation remains clear and concise,

providing readable accounts of the sagas. The translation of the sagas allows us to understand the

crucial role that women played during the sagas.

In the Vineland Sagas, women played crucial roles in society. The sagas depict women as

strong and capable individuals that contributed to the success of their communities. The sagas

depict women as wise, with men even seeking advice and guidance from them before making

decisions. The opinions of women are considered to be highly valuable in the Vineland Sagas.

When Thorstein the black came to see Thorstein Eriksson and invited him to stay with him over

the winter, Thorstein Eriksson was reluctant to give him a response until he sought guidance

from his wife, Gurdid.1 This shows that women's opinions were highly valued during the

Vineland sagas. Men did not make rush decisions before seeking counsel from their wives, with

whom they made decisions together.

Women were not excluded from the role of leadership during the Vineland Sagas. They

were allowed to hold positions of power and authority. When Gurdid's husband died, she took

control in successfully running the household.2 Her position as head of the household is

respected by both men and women in society.

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Kunz Keneva and Gísli Sigurðsson. 2008. The Vinland Sagas : The Icelandic Sagas About the First Documented

Voyages Across the North Atlantic : The Saga of the Greenlanders and Eirik the Red's Saga. London: Penguin, 12

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Keneva, The Vinland Voyages, 21
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Women during the Vineland sagas were considered to be hardworking and capable

people that made the land flourish. Women are considered hard workers who work the farm and

look after livestock. Their absence on the farm leads to the degradation of the farm and the

household in general. Keneva Kunz's translation explains that after Freydis's plan to return home

after a long time away was successful, she returns home to find that her farm and livestock had

suffered greatly from her absence. Without her hard work on the farm, her livestock and farm, in

general, were greatly affected. This showcases that women were hardworking and capable

farmers that maintained healthy farms and ample produce.

The Vinland Sagas show that women were not limited to the traditional gender roles

dictated for women. Although women were still caregivers, women were also strong warriors not

relegated to the domestic sphere in society. The women in the Vikings Saga are depicted as

strong and qualified warriors who fought alongside men and accompanied them to war. Freydis

had made an agreement with the two brothers that whenever they traveled, they would have

thirty men aboard and women in addition.3Women can also be seen as strong and fearless

warriors, not afraid to face opponents. When Freydis and her group are attacked, and the men

flee, Freydis is angry with them for running such miserable opponents and she tells them that if

only she had a weapon, she would stand her ground and fight better than any of the men. Freydis

took up a sword ready to defend herself from the hostile natives like a true warrior.4She managed

to frighten the natives and the men came back to praise her.

Women in the Vikings Saga played the role of a prophetess who could predict events that

were yet to happen. Thorbjorg, a woman, had the gift of prophecy. She was invited by people to

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Keneva, 18
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Keneva, 46
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their farms who were curious to learn about their future.5These types of women were highly

respected, and it was custom to properly entertain these types of women whenever they graced

one with their presence. They were honored with respectful greetings, for they were considered

wise. They believed that these women had the ability to make chants that would carry out

magical rites. These chants were passed from woman to woman as Gurdid had learned her chants

from her foster mother, Halldis.6

Women in the Vikings Saga were also highly valued for their roles as mothers and wives.

Marriage was an essential tradition. Men were expected to marry and women to be companions

to their husbands, supporting them in their lives. Gurdid is very supportive of her husband and

supports him in his decisions while giving him guidance and companionship. Women were

respected for their ability to bear and raise children.

Women were involved and played crucial roles in trade during the Vikings Saga.

Karlsefni used women to carry out trading activities with the natives. He had women bring out

milk and milk products for the natives to trade. The natives traded off packs and skins for milk

products with the women and Karlsefni.7 This goes to show that women were good in the trade,

having managed successful trades with the native hostiles.

The Vineland sagas showed that women were important in society and played vital roles

in all aspects of their communities. They were not limited to domestic duties as they were

warriors, wives, leaders, and capable businesswomen. The Vineland Sagas portrays women as

strong and resilient who have challenged and overcome traditional gender roles throughout

history.

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Keneva, 31
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Keneva, 32
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Keneva, 16
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Bibliography

Kunz Keneva and Gísli Sigurðsson. 2008. The Vinland Sagas : The Icelandic Sagas About the

First Documented Voyages Across the North Atlantic : The Saga of the Greenlanders

and Eirik the Red's Saga. London: Penguin