| Sumario: | This article proposes that the role of other animal-human partnerships in the Íslendingasögur needs to be closely examined in the same way as performed here for Sámr and Gunnarr, to fully understand the animal-human interactions in these Old Norse-Icelandic texts. Gunnarr's response to Sámr's death, his comment on Sámr's mistreatment, the reference to foster-kinship, and the acknowledgment of his impending death - these features suggest the relationship between Gunnarr and Sámr is here, at the point of death, depicted as akin to that expressed by "sworn-brothers" in Old Norse-Icelandic sources. This description of Sámr's traits and response to Ólafr's command simultaneously depicts Sámr as both animal and more than animal. This command can be read in two ways - Óláfr may refer here to Sámr's limitations as a dog, telling him to "be to him such as you are able as a dog", or his words may reinforce the outstanding, madr-like capabilities and status of Sámr: "Be to him such as you are able as a possessor of these abilities", reminding the dog that he has these abilities and should use them in this partnership with Gunnarr.
|
|---|