Ógæfa (misfortune) as an Emotion in Thirteenth-Century Iceland

: Kanerva Kirsi

Publisher: Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study

: 2012

: Scandinavian Studies -Menasha- Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study-

: 1

: 84

: 1

: 26

: 0036-5637

The article discusses the concept of ógæfa [misfortune] and its connotations in thirteenth-century Icelandic culture. Particular focus is given to Njáls saga and Gísla saga. According to the author, ógæfa did not refer merely to a state of affairs but it had emotional connotations as well. It is suggested that ógæfa was used to represent the inner struggles and feelings of guilt in literature, in a culture that did not yet have a word for this kind of affective state. Ógæfa was not synonymous to guilt, however, but involved also feelings of distress and hopelessness and signified absence of approval and forgiveness or the lack of the blessing of one's kin.

History and archaeology
Literature studies