Abstracts
Abstract
This article examines Hrafns saga Sveinbjarnarsonar as a significant yet overlooked source for understanding constructions of mental distress in medieval Iceland. Although the saga is a categorized as one of the samtíðarsögur (contemporary sagas), its depiction of two individuals cured by Hrafn closely parallels treatments and terminology in Icelandic hagiography. Through these episodes, the saga presents mental impairment as intertwined with physical symptoms and treatable through Hrafn’s combined medical skill and divinely bestowed healing powers. Their clear resemblance to miracle accounts strengthens the classification of the saga as pseudo-hagiographic, a characterization further supported by the omission of these scenes in the Sturlunga saga version. These examples contribute to broader discussions of disability, healing, and sanctity in medieval Icelandic literature.
Keywords:
- disability,
- hagiography,
- mental illness,
- genre,
- Icelandic sagas
Résumé
Cet article examine la saga Hrafns saga Sveinbjarnarsonar comme une source importante mais négligée pour comprendre les constructions de la détresse mentale dans l’Islande médiévale. Bien que cette saga soit classée parmi les samtíðarsögur (sagas contemporaines), sa description de deux personnes guéries par Hrafn – une femme anonyme souffrant de hugarválað et un homme souffrant de crises de vitfirring – correspond étroitement aux traitements et à la terminologie utilisés dans l’hagiographie islandaise. À travers ces épisodes, la saga présente les troubles mentaux comme étant liés à des symptômes physiques et pouvant être traités grâce aux compétences médicales et aux pouvoirs de guérison divins de Hrafn. Leur ressemblance évidente aux récits de miracles renforce la classification de la saga comme pseudo-hagiographique, une caractérisation encore renforcée par l’omission de ces scènes dans la version de la saga Sturlunga. Ces exemples contribuent à élargir le débat sur le handicap, la guérison et la sainteté dans la littérature islandaise médiévale.
Appendices
Bibliography
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