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 |
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Organiser: | Michael O'Rourke, Department of Modern English & American Literature, University College Dublin |
Moderator/Chair: | Ármann Jakobsson, Reykjavik Academy, Reykjavik |
Paper 205-a | Queer Affect in Laxdoela Saga (Language: English) Index terms: Gender Studies, Language and Literature - Scandinavian, Sexuality, Women's Studies |
Paper 205-c | William Morris's Queering of the Laxdale Saga (Language: English) 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. |