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IMC 2005: Sessions

Session 205: Queering the Icelandic Saga

Monday 11 July 2005, 14.15-15.45

Sponsor:The(e)ories: Advanced Seminars for Queer Research
Organiser:Michael O'Rourke, Department of Modern English & American Literature, University College Dublin
Moderator/Chair:Ármann Jakobsson, Reykjavik Academy, Reykjavik
Paper 205-aQueer Affect in Laxdoela Saga
(Language: English)
Michael O'Rourke, Department of Modern English & American Literature, University College Dublin
Index terms: Gender Studies, Language and Literature - Scandinavian, Sexuality, Women's Studies
Paper 205-cWilliam Morris's Queering of the Laxdale Saga
(Language: English)
David Ashurst, School of English & Humanities, Birkbeck College, University of London
Index terms: Gender Studies, Language and Literature - Scandinavian
Abstract

Icelandic Studies has for the most part remained oblivious to the incursions of lesbian and gay/ queer studies into Medieval scholarly work in the last ten or fifteen years. When male same/sex desires have been discussed it has largely been in consideration of the saga tradition of insult (nið). Female/ female desires and intimacies are rarely, if ever, acknowledged, let alone discussed by icelandic scholars. This panel constitutes a sustained critical focus on expressions of queer love, friendship, desire, intimacy, and effect between men and between women in the old Norse Sagas. It is hoped that this session will open up Icelandic Studies to further queer work and that those beginning queer readings of the Icelandic Saga will provide stepping stones for future queerings, thereby reconfiguring the entire field.