In its main interpretation, this term means a tale or a legend. The saga is a concept that summarizes literary works of narration that were recorded in the ancient Icelandic language in the 13-14th centuries. They tell about the Scandinavian peoples of Iceland of that period, their history and life. These works were born around the period from 930 to 1030, in the scientific community called - "the age of the sagas."
What does the saga mean in literary criticism and the history of literature
In principle, this word could mean both written and oral work, drawn up accordingly. It came from the Icelandic verb “speak” and initially could define almost any narrative in prose. However, today, under this term in the history and theory of literature , one still understands a quite definite list of literary monuments belonging to the corresponding period.
Principles of building a work
A saga is a narrative that clearly corresponds to certain canons adopted for this work. Almost always, it begins by introducing the reader to the main characters. This describes their pedigree in many tribes. Sometimes a tale about the protagonist begins several generations before his birth and appearance (right up to the time of the settlement of the Scandinavian lands).
What is still characteristic
A saga is always a large number of characters in action (up to hundreds or even more). Gradually, the narrative proceeds to the main events described, which in fact constitute the subject of the story: strife (tribal sagas) or rule (royal). Here, also, any event (up to getting a wound in battle) is described in great detail and scrupulously. The saga is a well-established chronology. Still quite often in such works the use of magic is observed - a fantastic element. And the main character often defeats the evil berserk warrior.
Varieties
- Sagas about ancient events tell about the myths and legends of Scandinavia: for example, "The Welsung Saga".
- Sagas about kings tell about Norwegian and Danish kings: for example, "The Saga of Olav".
- Tribal sagas are about the life and history of the Icelandic people: for example, The Saga of the Egil.
- There are still translated sagas, which are retellings of the tales of other nations: for example, the Saga of Trojans. And false sagas, and sagas about bishops, and sagas about recent events. Some of them, according to researchers, contain a summary of events based on very real facts (for example, works on the activities of the bishops of Iceland, starting in the year 1000).
The meaning of the word saga in fiction
In literature, this word, often used in a metaphorical and sometimes ironic context, refers to works of more modern eras performed in similar canons of biography. What makes the narrative related to the Icelandic sagas: epic and narrative history of several generations at once. And some authors even include this word in the title: for example, the Forsyte Saga by Galsworthy or other equally epic works of foreign and domestic writers.