A distinctive characteristic of the sagas is the objective narrative approach. Often the sagas describe events in great detail, including what was said by those involved. But they do not describe their inner life. Instead, the characters of the sagas reveal themselves through their words and actions.
"This narrative technique was unknown in the literature of other countries, until the great European novel of the 19th century," Gudmundsdottir said.
The art of writing arrived in Iceland with the Christian Church in the 11th century. Most priests were employees of wealthy farmers, who were interested in writing both for practical purposes and for entertainment. They did not understand Latin, the language of the learned at the time, so most books came to be written in the Icelandic vernacular.
"The difference in social status between farmers in Iceland and in Europe appear to be the main reason for Iceland's unique medieval saga tradition," Björnsson said. "Another reason for the sagas might be that [in a young country] there was a need to preserve the story of how Iceland was settled."
At the Icelandic Saga Center in Hvolsvöllur, which was established in 1997, visitors learn about the creation of a parliament in 930; about the conversion to Christianity; and the strong role of the women in medieval Iceland.
The exhibition focuses on Njal's saga, or the story of Burnt Njal, perhaps the greatest and best known of the Icelandic sagas. The epic story of a 50-year-old blood feud, Njal's saga features memorable characters like Gunnar Hamundarson, a brave and noble hero.
Guided tours from the Saga Center take visitors to the places of special historical interest in Njal's saga.
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