1. Compare the supernatural adventures of Grettir and Beowulf. Evaluate similarities in the locations of the adventures and the nature of the supernatural adversaries.

2. Look carefully at the attitudes of Icelanders toward non-Icelanders in The Story of Grettir the Strong. What might be the cause of highly developed national pride in early Iceland?

3. Notice that although Grettir has sisters, they "are not of account." His mother, on the other hand, is of great account. What is the attitude toward women in The Story of Grettir the Strong?

4. What role do ships and the sea play in the story? Compare Icelandic seamanship, or Norse seamanship, with early Greek seamanship.

5. One Icelander in the saga age was reported to have said,"Christ is all right, but I want Thor when I go to sea." To what extent is early Christianity in Iceland colored...