The Genesis of a Saga Narrative

• Introduction to the saga: the saga's structure; the saga author; possible sources. Kormakr's courtship: the first meeting (verses 1-10); Nrfi (verses 11-14); the ambush (verses 15-19); the betrothal (verses 20-1). Kormakr and Bersi: the failure of the marriage agreement; the pursuit of the bride (verses 22-6); Bersi's duel with Kormakr (verses 27-35). The Bersi "digression": how the Bersi material is woven into the saga; how Bersi's verses are arranged in the prose (verses 36-50). Porvaldr tinteinn: Steingerdr's second marriage (verses 51-2); Kormakr's exploits abroad (verses 52-58); Kormakr's reunion with Steingerdr (verses 59-63); the false insult verse (verses 64-5); the duels (verses 66-75). The final stages: Kormakr and Steingerdr in Norway (verses 76-81); Kormakr's death (verses 82-85). Conclusions, the genesis of a saga narrative: the saga's component parts; the saga as a whole.

This study is undoubtedly an important contribution to our understanding of saga poetics.