Performing Definitions Two Genres of Insult in Old Norse Literature

A study of "ethnic poetics" in old Norse literature with particular attention to Orvar Odds saga, Swenson's book treats the boast-insult debate tradition, a hotly debated topic in recent years. Swenson's study provides original and provocative judgements on earlier commentaries. Swenson provides a helpful outline of contemporary theory in the opening chapters before turning to the actual genre discussion and explication of a single saga text.