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Introduction
The sagas of Icelander, or family sagas, make up a real encyclopedia of the life of this nation during the Middle Ages. Historical facts and fabulous fictions, vivid events and tragedies, fierce battles, and descriptions of daily routines such as cooking dinner or childrens games all these contrasting phenomena are united in sagas. The fates of the bravest heroes are intertwined in them with the fortunes of the most insidious people. One of the longest and greatest Icelandic works of that time is considered Njals Saga, written probably at the end of the 13th century. Although there are quite a few heroic characters in this saga, the most admirable is Gunnar, who embodies the features that medieval Icelanders valued so much. Gunnar Hamundarson, being the central character of Njals Saga, is a mighty and courageous warrior, a noble and devoted friend, and a generous man who is depicted as a person who should be respected.
Gunnar Hamundarson: A National Hero of Icelandic
Gunnar is considered a positive hero with many of the traits highly appreciated by Icelanders. In the Middle Ages, people, as in any other time, valued honesty, generosity, courage, and the ability to fight for fairness. In Njals Saga, the almost ideal hero is depicted: Gunnar is fearless, but not hot-tempered, strong and brave, but trying to keep the peace. One of the confirmations of the positive attitude of Icelanders towards this character is also Gunnars portrait. He is described as a handsome man with fair skin and straight nose, sharp blue eyes, luxuriant hair of good color and texture (Njals Saga 39-40). Therefore, in Njals Saga, Gunnar shows the world what a real hero of that era should have been.
Gunnar as a Brave Warrior
Njals Saga shows the almost invincible man to whom fighting with enemies and protecting his home is a matter of honor. Gunnar is tall and strong and well skilled in the use of arms and can in full armor leap higher than his own height (Njals Saga 39). This character can also shoot a bow, hitting the target clearly and handling the weapon equally with either hand. His sword quickly and swiftly cuts through the air and wounds enemies, as could not even three blades simultaneously. During the fight, he slew many of the Vikings, moving so fast that no eye could follow him (Njals Saga 55, 57).
Perhaps the saga exaggerates his abilities, saying that he can swim like a seal and wins any sport to show that he really is better than other warriors (Njals Saga 39). The author openly claims that no one is equal to Gunnar, which confirms that he is depicted as the most admirable character (Njals Saga 39). Thus, this character is an example of military bravery, courage, and fearlessness.
Gunnars Desire to Resolve Conflicts Peacefully and Loyalty to Friends
Although Gunnar is a fearless warrior, wielding different weapons, he does not like to start wars. This man, who has good luck, which is challenging to match, does not strive to prove his strength, being slow to be drawn into quarrels (Njals Saga 116). Therefore, a reader can see that Gunnar does not fight only to show his superiority, pulling out a sword for defense, not for attack. At the same time, all his enemies know that if Gunnar Hamundarson took up his weapon, then none of them would be saved. However, after the fight with Vikings, prostrate people ask for mercy, and Gunnar grants it, letting them return to their homeland (Njals Saga 57). Therefore, this character is a strong man whose bravery and generosity make him almost invincible.
Gunnar is loyal to his comrades and does not betray them. It is claimed that he is a faithful friend but very careful in the choice of them (Njals Saga 40). He is ready to do even the most challenging things to please his friends (Njals Saga 104). They also have a fine tradition with Njal: every winter, they invite each other to the feast. He often comes to his wise comrade for advice but does not always follow them, as with the trip to the Althing (Njals Saga 47). Although once Gunnar hit his wife during a quarrel, he is firmly attached to his home and native land because he could not leave Iceland even knowing about the threat emanating from his blood enemies. Therefore, Gunnar is not only an excellent warrior but a good friend.
Conclusion
Gunnar Hamundarson is a hero of the Njals Saga, worthy of being admired for his warriors skills, generosity, and ability not to give up and stubbornly face difficulties. He is depicted as a person who does not accept the fight only for the sake of battle and strives to find peaceful solutions. This character is an honest man of principle who is ready to help his friends. Although Gunnar can be ruthless with his enemies, he spares those who ask him for it. Therefore, it is Gunnar whom Icelanders wanted to exalt and whose glory they desired to spread throughout the world and preserve for centuries due to Njals Saga.
Work Cited
Njals Saga. Translated by Lee M. Hollander, Wordsworth Editions Limited, 1998.
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