A Modern Idea

In all the ancient texts I have read until now women had a secondary role on society. Although they were essential their work was never appreciated and their opinions were never taken in to count. In Njal we see that women have much more power than in any other book and thus, have a greater role. At one point they even had the power to break the friendship between Njal and Gunnar.““There’s little use to me in being married to the most manly man in Iceland,” said Hallgerd, “if you don’t avenge this, Gunnar.”(p.57) She attempted to manipulate her husband into starting a fight for her honor. In no other book I have read (for this class) was there a woman that would contradict or say an opinion about a situation. There was a tacit contract which made any form of female expression punishable.

On the other hand here, Gunnar’s wife, has the liberty to not only say as she thinks, do as she wishes but also, can blattantly attempt to manipulate her husband with her own influence. Instead of there being a serious conflict all that happened was Gunnar and his wife left. There was no violent act but rather a sorrow for what she had done. In Confucius for example, women would have never been allowed to go that far.

Another representation is the ability of women to give orders and to control. “Bergotha spoke with Svart and told him to go to Raudskrid and chop wood – “and I will send men to haul it home.””(p.58) They did have a servant and he was a man. I believe that this showed that money gave social status in Iceland, more than if you were a woman or a man. I think at to some point women could’ve gained some political power if they were to be rich enough. Not as much as today but certainly much more than what is told to us by other similar textsor the time's stereotype.

It is also important to point out that unlike other culture women could choose whom they wanted to marry with. This can be seen the moment that Gunnar decides to marry Hallgerd. He had to ask her if she would marry him and then go for her parents blessing. Hallgerd even said that she was very selective with men. “It’s not that,” she said, “but I’m very demanding when it comes to men.” ” (p.53) This is a rather modern idea for women were never allowed to marry whom they wanted but only those that benefit the family’s interests.

Finally, women having similar status to men is a very modern idea. Only until very recently have women been granted the same legal status as men. This at the moment was a great breakthrough and seeing women as presidents would’ve been unconceivable years ago. It is very interesting to see that ancient cultures were already developing such social equality hundreds of years ago. If we have been able to do such incredible breakthroughs within so little time where will we be in another century?