"Njal's Saga": The Burning Trivia Quiz

Answer: Kari Solmundarson

Kari is originally from the Hebrides, which are off the western coast of Scotland, while Orkney rests off its northern coast. He accompanies Njal's sons back to Iceland, marries one of Njal's daughters, and becomes a major player in the story.

Answer: He was curing someone's backache.

He is having an affair with Gudrun, his host's daughter, and kills Asvard, who comes upon them alone. The earl declares him an outlaw, but Hrapp hides among cargo and flees to Iceland, where he takes up with Hallgerd.

Answer: On an icy river

Skarphedin (spelled in other translation as "Skarp-Hedin") slides along the ice as though he were wearing skates, cleaves Thrain's head with an axe (sending his teeth flying out), jumps over a shield, and slides to a stop stylishly. It's one of many scenes that confirms my suspicions that medieval Icelanders would have loved 1980s action movies. Skarphedin keeps at least one of Thrain's teeth as a keepsake, for it makes an appearance in perhaps the saga's most famous scene.

Answer: He must be a godi.

Njal wants his foster son Hoskuld to marry Hildigunn. Her uncle Flosi once promised her a chieftain as husband, and she wants to abide by that condition. Since there aren't any chieftaincies available, Njal creates chaos in the legal system, which culminates in the creation of a fifth chieftaincy. Hoskuld is placed as its godi (a priest/chieftain in one) and marries Hildigunn. Flosi is also wise to the saga trope of "forced marriages never end well" and says that Hildigunn simply not wanting to marry a man is enough reason for her not to wed.

Answer: The introduction of Christianity

Christianity is introduced to Norway, and that change makes its way to Iceland around AD 1000. Iceland never reverted to paganism once Christianity was accepted. News of the feud is put on hold for a time while the saga recounts several events dealing with this conversion, like baptism and religion-insulting.

Answer: Amundi's blindness is lifted so he can kill.

This part occurs during the conversion to Christianity and is counted as a miracle. Amundi has always been blind. Lyting killed Amundi's father and paid compensation to another, but gave no atonement to Amundi, who wants compensation that Lyting refuses to give. Sight restored, Amundi praises God for his eyesight, kills Lyting with an axe, then goes blind for the rest of his life.

Answer: A silk cloak

As a cloak can be a garment for men or women, Flosi becomes offended. An insult contest takes place, including an odd one about Flosi being used like a woman every ninth night by a troll. This specific insult was considered so bad that it was codified into Norwegian Gulathing law that a man couldn't say it to another.

This is one of many saga examples of trouble coming about because men cannot handle the slightest insults to their egos, whether real or perceived, and being compared to a woman was considered insulting. Flosi rejects the compensation and demands blood.

Answer: His wife and grandson

Njal and his wife Bergthora (whose argument with Hallgerd essentially started the whole feud that led to the burning) stay to die together. Njal is quite old by now and could leave before the house is burned, but remains. His grandson, Kari's son Thord, also stays, and they cover themselves with an ox-hide in bed.

When their bodies are found, they are undamaged underneath except for the finger Thord stuck outside the blanket. This impeccable condition is meant to be a miracle and convey their purity.

Answer: He runs up the fiery crossbeam and jumps outside.

He and Skarphedin argue about who will try to escape first, then vow that whoever survives will avenge the killings. Kari goes first and is seen escaping. Skarphedin tries to follow after, but the crossbeam collapses. Kari is somewhat burned, losing some of his hair, but puts himself out.

Answer: He throws a tooth at Gunnar.

Upon seeing Skarphedin trapped in the burning house, Gunnar says that he hasn't laughed since Thrain died. In one of many lines worthy to be spoken by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Skarphedin says, "Here is something to remember him by" and chucks one of Thrain's teeth at Gunnar.

It knocks out Gunnar's eye. This is a tooth from the scene at the frozen river where Skarphedin killed Thrain. He acquires it amid ice and discards it among fire.