The Problem of Revenge in Medieval Literature: Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, and Ljósvetninga Saga

• Main Author: Lanpher, Ann
• Other Authors: Orchard, Andy
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: medieval literature; English Literature; Beowulf; Chaucer; Canterbury Tales; Reeve's Tale; Melibee; Icelandic sagas; revenge; feud; Ljósvetninga saga; family sagas; Old English; Old Norse; Middle English; 0297; 0593; 0362; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/24360

This dissertation considers the literary treatment of revenge in medieval England and Iceland. Vengeance and feud were an essential part of these cultures; far from the reckless, impulsive action that the word conjures up in modern minds, revenge was considered both a right and a duty and was legisl...