SOURCE: Taylor, Arnold R. “Laxdaela Saga and Author Involvement in the Icelandic Sagas.” Leeds Studies in English 7 n.s. (1974): 13-21.

In the following essay, Taylor investigates the subtle use of authorial intrusion in the Laxdaela Saga, focusing principally on the author's characterization of Gudrun through the use of her prophetic dreams.

Laxdæla saga has recently attracted detailed consideration by many eminent scholars who have concerned themselves either with the date of composition or the name of its author.¹ What I have to say will also relate to the author, though I am not concerned with his name nor with the rival claims of Sturla Þórðarson or any other writer for so proud a position. My interest lies more in what motivated him and made him write in the way he did. Njörður Njarðvík, in a perceptive and sensitive article, has touched on...