I must admit I was never interested in Sagas until now. Your clear unbias teaching of this sagas has inspired a more profound appreciation for Iceland and its people. Love the poem. Thank you
That's so good to hear! Sparking new interest in Iceland and its unique medieval literature is exactly what this video series is about. Hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories videos in the future. Very best wishes, from Matthew Roby and the Reykjavík Grapevine team
The ending of this video is wonderful. "Goodbye from the land of ice and fire..."; it is snowing and there is an active volcano erupting in the background. Beautiful imagery.
I thoroughly appreciate your erudite and uncondescending way of presenting the history of Iceland and its sagas. We're so used to the 'dumbing down' of knowledge on most TV that this is totally refreshing and stimulating. And your glowing enthusiasm seeps through like burning lava. And did it really start snowing exactly as you mentioned snow in the final reading?! Wonderful. All the best, Jeremy in the Czech Republic.
Thank you for your very kind words. It's great to see that the videos are being enjoyed all over the world! And yes, the landscape and weather were exceptionally co-operative that day. Like you said, the snow was right on cue! Thank you for your interest in the series and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Brilliant! It was surreal listening to the stories about volcanoes in the sagas from Mathew while watching him stand in a snow storm in front of a waterfall of magna from a bubbling cauldron. Thank you for the experience!
I recently saw that there's a primary school in Akranes on Hvalfjörður that does assignments on this saga, probably because they're so close to some of its main sites. Maybe they go and see the island on field trips but, as you say, many of them will already have seen it even if they don't know its significance.
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine I think it' so 'cool' if the next generation know their countries past, language, and the origins of their culture. so MUCH HAS BEEN LOST TO THE WORLD GLOBALLY AND WE SHOULD REVIVE WHAT WE CAN! (oops sorry 4 caps lock) I love this series, it makes me wish I could go back in time. 🤨
Obviously the context is quite different, but you're quite right: the study of Icelandic history, including the geological history since settlement, has always relied on the literary sources as well as the physical evidence.
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine It was the 'tales from old times' in the US Pacific Northwest that tied the wave marks on mountain sides and ghost forests to giant tsunamis, then to records of an 'orphan tsunami' in Japan that awakened us to the dangers of the Juan de Fuca plate and Cascadia earthquakes...
@@johnzuijdveld9585 If there is, I'm not aware of it. but you can get a bit of a feel if you look into the history of Pacific Northwest tsunamis and earthquakes. We're currently holding our breath and practicing for the next 'big one' expected to be at least 9.0. It's a couple hundred years over due.
@@slateslavens Yes, I've been watching 'Dutchsince' lately where he shows the progression of quakes from near New Zealand (don't know why they are the culprits!) 😀. . all around the fault lines to Europe and the US.west coast. I guess 'The Big One' is inevitable at some point and I was stunned to learn that Y/stone is only 1 of 3 'super volcanoes' in the area (oops I hope you knew that already!) 🤐 Also he shows that there are SO many volcanoes in the west and mid/west. so who knows eh? But the centuries are littered with ppl. claiming that "THE END IS NIGH' and it has spelt doom for some minorities, but never for most! For what it's worth, horses say "neigh" . . which is similar to Dutch for NO! 😶
Thank you, Professor Roby! I enjoy your videos so much. I was a medieval freak in college so long ago and loved the sagas available to me then. Thank you also for teaching me correct pronunciation...not easily come by!
With every Saga I gain more insight into the people and culture of Iceland. Thank you Dr. Roby. BTW, the opening video shot from the drone is outstanding. Truly amazing.
Thank you for your kind words, and for your continued support! Hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories coming soon. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Yes, this must have been the most exciting location for any of the Saga Stories videos so far. We'll always aim to keep up the beautiful scenery, but this one will be tough to beat!
I appreciate this formula of combining amazing views with these interesting and well articulated stories from the sagas. Well done. Furthermore the aerial shots of the cinder cones are mesmerizing. I could stare at them all day.
Thanks for your interest and feedback. We really appreciate it. Yes, perhaps in this video more than any other Saga Stories episode so far, the landscape really brings the literature to life! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Wonderful!!! I really appreciate these! Glad to see you have a nice warm cap to keep year ears from freezing. Matthew Roby, you are so clear it is easy to listen to you! It is a good thing Iceland has lots of valleys so they could lose this one!
Thanks for your continued support, Wanda. Yes, it was a strange day. They always say you need to go out prepared for all four seasons in Iceland, and that was certainly true: from balmy sunshine to a blizzard!
It's fascinating that the people of those times had such a realistic, pragmatic view of the volcanoes, not deifying them or worshipping them. This eruption is the perfect backdrop, especially for the poem. I look forward to learning more of the land of "ice and fire." Much love from sunny California! 💜🌍🌋🌄🦋✌️😸
Yes, Snorri goði's statement is especially interesting in that regard! Obviously his flippancy is exaggerated for comedic effect, but one of the possible notions underlying his words -- that earthquakes and volcanoes were ordinary and not necessarily religiously significant phenomena -- is an important one to recognise. Of course, not all medieval Icelanders saw it that way, but it seems that some certainly did. Thanks for watching. It's great to see the videos are being enjoyed all around the world!
These are great! My grandparents are from Scandinavia and I grew up with Norse mythology frequently mentioned by my grandmother. This is a great setting for a visit to the old culture.
Thank you! Hope this video series is bringing back nice memories. We haven't covered many of the mythological material yet, but we hope to do so in future episodes. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Fantastic video - and I admire your ability to turn your back on an erupting volcano and giving a coherent presentation - I’d be there saying ‘Wow!’ and not much more.
Yes, it was quite difficult to turn my back on it... and not only because of its beauty, as you can imagine! Thanks for your interest. Glad you enjoyed it!
I really enjoy your videos. I guess I am a saga geek because I read the Prose Edda and the Kalevala while at university. I also enjoy your facility with the Icelandic language :-) I am a linguist and I’m always amused and delighted by agglutination in language. My experience with German and Turkish has made me appreciate how complex words are formed. It’s fantastic that one word can express multiple ideas. The current volcano made a fantastic backdrop for this video.
It's great to hear that the videos are reaching such a wide audience, including some people who are already self-professed language or literature buffs! My skill with Modern Icelandic is still developing, but of course I agree that it's a fascinating language, in terms of both inflection and compounding. Thank you for your continued interest and support and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Just wonderful, as are all the previous Saga videos - fabulous for you to be right at the latest eruption! It has been super exciting to watch the frequent updates from the Geldingadalur Volcano, and this one with the Saga twist is a great addition to the series. Cheers! 👏🌋
Yes, for all the violence and antagonism in the sagas, there are also inspiring moments of unity and decency. But, as Tolkien said so compellingly, I'm confident that the same mixture is to be found everywhere, if we look hard enough.
Absolutely, it’s just quite refreshing honestly. I treat everybody with dignity and respect it just seems that we’re moving away from that. I am definitely very impressed with Icelanders. It just gives me a lot of hope. Thank you for the reply
Fascinating to see how this 8-day-old volcano is filling up the valley it erupted out of. The various camera angles are fabulous. And I enjoyed the Polly photobomb. Thanks, Matthew!
Quite an achievement for an 8-day-old: this volcano is surpassing even the best saga heroes in precociousness! Thanks for watching and we're glad you enjoyed it!
Interesting, I know so little about Icelandic culture. The poems really remind me of Irish and Scottish poetry. I love learning these things about Iceland.
I know what you mean: perhaps this is something about the repeated refrain at the end of each stanza? This is a standard element in Scottish, Irish, and English ballads, but it's actually not that common a feature in Old Norse-Icelandic skaldic or Eddic verse. As I understand it, refrains do become common in some later traditions, especially the rímur, which are like the Scandinavina equivalent of the ballad. Anyway, it does have a very interesting aural effect in this poem! Thanks for your interest and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
I'm really enjoying these retellings of the sagas. I know they exist and have influenced other (famous) writers, but I've never sat down to read them myself. Hearing an easily understood version against the backdrop of Iceland's wild scenery, knowing that the stories happened there, yet in the comfort of my warm and cosy home here in the UK, is a marvellous way to hear them! Thanks for all the effort you put into this series, Dr Roby and The Reykjavik Grapevine team!
That poem could've been written when he was standing there at the volcano. The way it was describing what was going on in the poem was actually happening when Matthew was reading it. Even down to it snowing. I hope Matthew does many more of these Sagas soon cos I've watched them all & started watching them again. I also like the subtitles provided. It shows that spelling in Iceland is very different to how a word is pronounced. Even Matthews voice & the way he tells the story is mesmerising
Thank you for your continued interest in the series! Yes, there are several more videos in the pipeline and the next one should be up in a week or so. Hope you'll enjoy it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Great comment, many tanks Matthew! By being so faithful to old texts and beliefs, without much interpretation, by reading the mysterious and wonderful "poem", with no intent to make us believe whatever, by discretely using the wonderful background of the ongoing Geldingadalir eruption, being simple and natural in your behaviour, and thanks to your extremely clear diction, you have convinced us better than through any other mean that is might be worth reading and investigating about these Islandic sagas that you mention, and that we were absolutely not aware of so far. Thank you! And please tell us more about these sagas!
Thank you for all your kind words. Our goal with this series is to get more people interested in the sagas, so it's wonderful to read comments like this. We'll keep the videos coming for you! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
This was amazing to watch and listen to. Standing in front of an glowing and advancing lawa wall, reading a volcanic poem, is simultaneously totally crazy and epic. Go Matthew😎
Beautiful poem.... how meaningful and so descriptive of a volcanic eruption and how accurately You explain it. Thank you. True poetry conveys more than words; it catches the experience of humanity's fear and desire.
Yes, it was stunning: my favourite location for shooting a Saga Stories video so far! Thank you for your interest and support! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
This was so perfect. Doing this reading in front if the lava some of it red and smoking, did what an off site reading could never do. I enjoyed it immensely! Love the Grape Vine!
Thank you for this! It’s the first one I’ve listened too and will catch them all. I spend time with the volcano almost everyday and it’s wonderful to learn about the people and the land.
Such awesome storytelling and video. I am preparing for a visit to Iceland and this series is so informative and visually stunning. Thank you for presenting the sagas. So glad to see the Morale Officer-aka Polly- is keeping watch.
Thanks so much for your kind words. We're glad you enjoyed it and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
The huge monster with the two glowing eyes might have some resemblance to some of the photos of the current eruption. Also, Polly's photobomb was much appreciated.
An excellent point! Some of Art's drone footage really demonstrates this well. I also very much appreciated Polly's cameo: it was like a seal of approval from the Grapevine's #1 personality. Thanks for your interest! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine "a cave that they had never seen before" that no-one knew about. Could it have been a not quite cold lava tube where 2 points of hot lava still glowed in the darkness? . . . Whoooooo 😮
Yes, I was honoured when she chose to do a cameo in my video! Thanks for your interest and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories coming soon. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Merci beaucoup, þakka þér kærlega, thanks a lot. Icelandic poetry in front of a still moving lava flow… what a fantastic sjónarspil, so nice, so strong, so rich in emotions. About forty years ago, I sampled the various Reykjanes swarm flows in order to study them back in Paris, France (geochemistry). At that time, I became in love with this country. I have come here a few time since, though not as frequently as I wished. Maybe when in the next years, I'll retire, will I come back. Once more, many thanks for the saga series, and this episode in particular.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It is clear that you are so enthusiastic about Sagas, Matthew! Your diction and presentation skills are excellent!! Thank you from Canada 🇨🇦.
Thank you for your continued interest in the series. Yes, there are several more videos in the pipeline and the next one should be up in a week or so. Hope you'll enjoy it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine Dr. Roby, I've been telling my sons about your videos - as they were teaching me Uwe Rosenberg's game "A Feast for Odin." Your telling on location have illuminated the sagas - thanks for producing more. I look forward to them.
I found the channel looking for reporting on the eruption that was not mainstream news. I was thrilled to see the list of saga videos. Of course I watched this one first but now I know what I'll be doing the rest of the evening, I loved the poem. Since I don't know where to find a copy, I'll have to follow the creature's admonishment and memorize it.
Yes, this poem is not widely available in translation, I'm afraid. Thank you for your interest in the series -- hope you enjoyed them. We'll keep them coming! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Thanks for your interest in the series, and for your kind words. Hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories videos coming very soon! All best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Thank you very much! Spreading the word about Old Norse-Icelandic literature is exactly what this series is about, so it's great to read comments like this one. Thanks for watching and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories coming soon. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
There are a few dogs in the literature, some of which are quite important: Garmr (who kills the God Týr according to the Prose Edda); Snati (Gestr's fighting dog in Bárðar saga); Sámr (Gunnarr's intelligent dog in Njáls saga); and Vígi (the dog belonging to Óláfr Tryggvason).
It's beyond-the-sight culture!! Human experiences accumulate and make what we are today, in a marvelous way. This only reason is enough to show how untruthful are those who promise 'a brand new World, free from the Past': a dishonest lie, too evil to be just considered foolishness. Keep your great work! Cheers from São Paulo, Brazil.
Yes, the landscape and the literature really complemented each other that day! Thanks for your interest and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories coming soon. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
At 13:40 good always overcomes evil, in the past as well as in the present! The Sagas are educational as well as fascinating. Our Lord’s returning is upon us. Draw near to Him.
Thanks for your interest. Many of the sagas of Icelanders focus on the conversion, and the tensions between Christians and pagans. If you're interested in this topic, I urge you to check out our video on Flóamanna saga, in which the faith of the recently Christianised hero is tested to the limit. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
So glad you took advantage of this eruption event for your material. :) I felt it would be a shame if no one decided to use this scenery footage to their benefit in their programs (movies, education / story telling material, etc.). The grassy spot chosen to sit starting around 5:00 is absolutely perfect!
Yes, this experience really brought home the fact that there's no better place to be researching Old Norse-Icelandic literature than here. Thanks for your interest and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine I shall. Thank you for making these videos. I really enjoy how much time and effort is put into researching and preparing all of this information into nice little episodes for everyone to easily digest. I honestly haven’t a clue about a lot of Nordic Icelandic culture and history, but I quite enjoy your presentation. Your voice is very nice and I love hearing speakers provide proper pronunciations of non-English words.🙂
Thanks very much! The goal of this series is to bring the sagas to a wider audience, so I'm thankful that you took the time to watch and appreciate it :)
Thank you! Glad you liked it. For more information about the conversion stories, you can check out our previous Saga Stories video on Þingvellir. Hope you'll enjoy it, and that you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in future. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Thank you for great volcano eruptions and witnessing from past to present time moving forward to future.till then keep smiling with lol politely and healthy safely provide care
Thank you for your interest. We're glad to see that you went back and checked out our earlier Saga Stories videos. Hope you'll stay tuned for more! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine could you please tell me which one had the reading said at a funeral? I really would like to take it down to keep or slightly modify for a funeral. I just do not know what one it was, hope it was not this one or I will feel silly. I was truly moved but then forgot to get back to it before I listened to others. I have told several people to hear you and see the back ground. Perfect mix. A Family in Idaho USA with two young sons, the mother has Scandinavian heritage I hope will want to listen together.
Are you referring to Egill Skalla-Grímsson's poem in commemoration of his sons? The poem is called Sonatorrek. I read a bit of it in my video on Egils saga, but you can find translations of the whole poem in English online. It's in chapter 81 of the whole saga text on this site: sagadb.org/egils_saga.en.
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine found it, I so very appreciative thank you. I am new to the culture here in SW England. What I have possibly by way of return... May I offer 2 incidents of the necessities of oral memory I have noticed here historically? To me Obviously the Welsh are still distinctively different than the Brits. But song and reciting very alive w yearly competitive events that move around the country. Otherwise strongly impressed i that in pre lititure society.... men were required to be able to recite 9 generations of ancestors....I understood for the sake of property boundaries disputes or legal situations needing settled. The English memory story surviving in a religious calendar now fading, is called 'Beating the Bounds'. (I think same as Anglican Rogation Sunday). A country densely settled and funded on Parish size units (no speration of church and State) note: Sunday attendence times past unwavering compulsory. Serious yrly obligation of no doubt leading men and sons??? Ritual designated day walked the Parish boundary limits of the governed unit. So here is the Good bit: beside logical big geographical objects, like rock, streams, big oak tree....those place markers memorised...the young boys were beaten with a stick (?) At the points long est. to bed in strong memory w pain + visual! Nerologically lodged in the manchild's mind held tight for the next generation. Deep in the trauma mind below cognitive memory recall. I just found it fascinating. Don't tryst my preceptions of my understanding. I notice currently lingering is a token yrly short Sunday church group walk. I assume carry on symbolically strike objects trying to continue race memory? Tribe cohesive event while insuring no land encroachment. But what do I know??? I know a Saga poem I will keep part of alive. Gratitude a western American 23 yrs in Uk PatRicia Saxton. SpocksDaughter 'turning the wheel'....no editing must hurry on
I am so glad that you are presenting these sagas...Understanding Icelanders background has helped me to relate with my granddaughter's Icelandic grandparents and family...Will you have more history of those that are mentioned in the poem?
It's wonderful to hear that the videos are reaching so many people and touching them in so many different ways. It makes it all worthwhile! There should be a video on Snorra Edda at some point which will address some mythical figures. Thanks for watching and I hope you'll stay tuned for more.
Thank you for your interest, though credit for the poem itself must go to to the translator, Marvin Taylor, and -- ultimately -- to the original Icelandic poet! Hope you enjoyed it and will stay tuned for more Saga Stories in future! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
The very first time I saw you,in several from a simmering but smoldering volcano mountain 'asphalt hill,was just a week ago,Mr.Matthew Robby:you were on the last step of a single red'velvet color steeple Church,with almond color white painted trimming'3--29--2021'
Iceland would have had Lava Tube caves from previous volcanic activity. Such a cave could have been a route for new lava. We have some on top Mount Hood, an active volcano that is presently napping. Hikers have occasionally used these as a camping spot, only to die of the gasses that have accumulated there. These gasses can also produce hallucinations in small doses.
Thank you, as ever, for your interest in the videos. I'd never heard of lava tubes before, so thank you for the insight. Geology is hardly my area of expertise, but perhaps this could be a naturalistic explanation for the visions! Thanks again. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
The whole purpose of this series is to get people interested in Old Norse-Icelandic literature, so I'm so glad to read comments like this one! Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
I must admit I was never interested in Sagas until now. Your clear unbias teaching of this sagas has inspired a more profound appreciation for Iceland and its people. Love the poem. Thank you
That's so good to hear! Sparking new interest in Iceland and its unique medieval literature is exactly what this video series is about. Hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories videos in the future. Very best wishes, from Matthew Roby and the Reykjavík Grapevine team
The ending of this video is wonderful. "Goodbye from the land of ice and fire..."; it is snowing and there is an active volcano erupting in the background. Beautiful imagery.
Yes, as you can see we had all weathers that day... so I couldn't resist making that comment at the end!
I thoroughly appreciate your erudite and uncondescending way of presenting the history of Iceland and its sagas. We're so used to the 'dumbing down' of knowledge on most TV that this is totally refreshing and stimulating. And your glowing enthusiasm seeps through like burning lava. And did it really start snowing exactly as you mentioned snow in the final reading?! Wonderful. All the best, Jeremy in the Czech Republic.
Thank you for your very kind words. It's great to see that the videos are being enjoyed all over the world! And yes, the landscape and weather were exceptionally co-operative that day. Like you said, the snow was right on cue! Thank you for your interest in the series and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Brilliant! It was surreal listening to the stories about volcanoes in the sagas from Mathew while watching him stand in a snow storm in front of a waterfall of magna from a bubbling cauldron. Thank you for the experience!
Yes, it was a surreal, unforgettable experience. Definitely the most interesting Saga Stories location so far. Thank you for your interest!
This has to be the most amazing backdrop for an academic/literature discussion EVER!
Thanks for your interest! Yes, this was my favourite location for filming a Saga Story so far. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine I wonder, do students get to come here for any school excursions or study groups? or is this all just too familiar? 🤣
I recently saw that there's a primary school in Akranes on Hvalfjörður that does assignments on this saga, probably because they're so close to some of its main sites. Maybe they go and see the island on field trips but, as you say, many of them will already have seen it even if they don't know its significance.
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine I think it' so 'cool' if the next generation know their countries past, language, and the origins of their culture. so MUCH HAS BEEN LOST TO THE WORLD GLOBALLY AND WE SHOULD REVIVE WHAT WE CAN! (oops sorry 4 caps lock)
I love this series, it makes me wish I could go back in time. 🤨
As a Geologist in Montana, I enjoy how this reminds us to respect indigenous histories!
Obviously the context is quite different, but you're quite right: the study of Icelandic history, including the geological history since settlement, has always relied on the literary sources as well as the physical evidence.
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine It was the 'tales from old times' in the US Pacific Northwest that tied the wave marks on mountain sides and ghost forests to giant tsunamis, then to records of an 'orphan tsunami' in Japan that awakened us to the dangers of the Juan de Fuca plate and Cascadia earthquakes...
@@slateslavens I imagine the Native Americans would also have some enthralling tales to tell us, is there a place to find them? 🤔
@@johnzuijdveld9585 If there is, I'm not aware of it. but you can get a bit of a feel if you look into the history of Pacific Northwest tsunamis and earthquakes. We're currently holding our breath and practicing for the next 'big one' expected to be at least 9.0. It's a couple hundred years over due.
@@slateslavens Yes, I've been watching 'Dutchsince' lately where he shows the progression of quakes from near New Zealand (don't know why they are the culprits!) 😀. . all around the fault lines to Europe and the US.west coast.
I guess 'The Big One' is inevitable at some point and I was stunned to learn that Y/stone is only 1 of 3 'super volcanoes' in the area (oops I hope you knew that already!) 🤐 Also he shows that there are SO many volcanoes in the west and mid/west. so who knows eh?
But the centuries are littered with ppl. claiming that "THE END IS NIGH' and it has spelt doom for some minorities, but never for most!
For what it's worth, horses say "neigh" . . which is similar to Dutch for NO! 😶
Your Saga Stories posts are happily anticipated and this is another great one. Thanks!
Thank you for your continued interest in the series. We'll keep them coming! Very best wishes, from Matthew Roby and the Reykjavík Grapevine team
Thank you, Professor Roby! I enjoy your videos so much. I was a medieval freak in college so long ago and loved the sagas available to me then. Thank you also for teaching me correct pronunciation...not easily come by!
Thank you for your continued support! Glad you are finding them enjoyable and useful. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
With every Saga I gain more insight into the people and culture of Iceland. Thank you Dr. Roby.
BTW, the opening video shot from the drone is outstanding. Truly amazing.
Thank you for your kind words, and for your continued support! Hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories coming soon. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Hearing this with that spectacle behind is timeless, what a moment
Yes, this must have been the most exciting location for any of the Saga Stories videos so far. We'll always aim to keep up the beautiful scenery, but this one will be tough to beat!
Awesome job, Matt. Thanks, Grapevine!
Thanks very much. We're glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
I appreciate this formula of combining amazing views with these interesting and well articulated stories from the sagas. Well done.
Furthermore the aerial shots of the cinder cones are mesmerizing. I could stare at them all day.
Thanks for your interest and feedback. We really appreciate it. Yes, perhaps in this video more than any other Saga Stories episode so far, the landscape really brings the literature to life! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Wonderful!!! I really appreciate these! Glad to see you have a nice warm cap to keep year ears from freezing. Matthew Roby, you are so clear it is easy to listen to you!
It is a good thing Iceland has lots of valleys so they could lose this one!
Thanks for your continued support, Wanda. Yes, it was a strange day. They always say you need to go out prepared for all four seasons in Iceland, and that was certainly true: from balmy sunshine to a blizzard!
It's fascinating that the people of those times had such a realistic, pragmatic view of the volcanoes, not deifying them or worshipping them. This eruption is the perfect backdrop, especially for the poem.
I look forward to learning more of the land of "ice and fire."
Much love from sunny California!
💜🌍🌋🌄🦋✌️😸
Yes, Snorri goði's statement is especially interesting in that regard! Obviously his flippancy is exaggerated for comedic effect, but one of the possible notions underlying his words -- that earthquakes and volcanoes were ordinary and not necessarily religiously significant phenomena -- is an important one to recognise. Of course, not all medieval Icelanders saw it that way, but it seems that some certainly did. Thanks for watching. It's great to see the videos are being enjoyed all around the world!
These are great! My grandparents are from Scandinavia and I grew up with Norse mythology frequently mentioned by my grandmother. This is a great setting for a visit to the old culture.
Thank you! Hope this video series is bringing back nice memories. We haven't covered many of the mythological material yet, but we hope to do so in future episodes. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Thank you for that very interesting insight into old Icelanders.
It's our pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic video - and I admire your ability to turn your back on an erupting volcano and giving a coherent presentation - I’d be there saying ‘Wow!’ and not much more.
Yes, it was quite difficult to turn my back on it... and not only because of its beauty, as you can imagine! Thanks for your interest. Glad you enjoyed it!
Always such an eloquent presentation by Dr. Matthew Roby
Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
I really enjoy your videos. I guess I am a saga geek because I read the Prose Edda and the Kalevala while at university. I also enjoy your facility with the Icelandic language :-) I am a linguist and I’m always amused and delighted by agglutination in language. My experience with German and Turkish has made me appreciate how complex words are formed. It’s fantastic that one word can express multiple ideas. The current volcano made a fantastic backdrop for this video.
It's great to hear that the videos are reaching such a wide audience, including some people who are already self-professed language or literature buffs! My skill with Modern Icelandic is still developing, but of course I agree that it's a fascinating language, in terms of both inflection and compounding. Thank you for your continued interest and support and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Just wonderful, as are all the previous Saga videos - fabulous for you to be right at the latest eruption! It has been super exciting to watch the frequent updates from the Geldingadalur Volcano, and this one with the Saga twist is a great addition to the series. Cheers! 👏🌋
Thank you very much for your continued interest and support in the series!
I love the sense of community that at least seems Icelanders hold dear. It is so devoid here in America. Keep keeping it simple
Yes, for all the violence and antagonism in the sagas, there are also inspiring moments of unity and decency. But, as Tolkien said so compellingly, I'm confident that the same mixture is to be found everywhere, if we look hard enough.
Absolutely, it’s just quite refreshing honestly. I treat everybody with dignity and respect it just seems that we’re moving away from that. I am definitely very impressed with Icelanders. It just gives me a lot of hope. Thank you for the reply
Another well done and informative video. Thank you very much!
Thank you for your continued support. We really appreciate it! Very best wishes, from Matthew Roby and the Reykjavík Grapevine team
These stories are so interesting! You are an excellent story teller and explains everything very well.
Thank you for your interest, and for your kind words. It's much appreciated! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Fascinating to see how this 8-day-old volcano is filling up the valley it erupted out of. The various camera angles are fabulous. And I enjoyed the Polly photobomb. Thanks, Matthew!
Quite an achievement for an 8-day-old: this volcano is surpassing even the best saga heroes in precociousness! Thanks for watching and we're glad you enjoyed it!
Interesting, I know so little about Icelandic culture. The poems really remind me of Irish and Scottish poetry. I love learning these things about Iceland.
I know what you mean: perhaps this is something about the repeated refrain at the end of each stanza? This is a standard element in Scottish, Irish, and English ballads, but it's actually not that common a feature in Old Norse-Icelandic skaldic or Eddic verse. As I understand it, refrains do become common in some later traditions, especially the rímur, which are like the Scandinavina equivalent of the ballad. Anyway, it does have a very interesting aural effect in this poem! Thanks for your interest and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine Again I can imagine this saga being recited or acted out with great gusto!
I think you may have to change the name from Geldingadalur to Horfinndalur or in English Vanished valley, and pretty soon by the looks of things :-)
Já einmitt! Thanks for watching!
It's Geldingadalir!
I'm really enjoying these retellings of the sagas. I know they exist and have influenced other (famous) writers, but I've never sat down to read them myself. Hearing an easily understood version against the backdrop of Iceland's wild scenery, knowing that the stories happened there, yet in the comfort of my warm and cosy home here in the UK, is a marvellous way to hear them! Thanks for all the effort you put into this series, Dr Roby and The Reykjavik Grapevine team!
Tack så mycket! Just the thought of telling Sagas in front of a live volcanoe is mindblowing. I’ll make a wish, I hope for more, at night by the lava.
Thank you for your interest. Yes, it was an extraordinary experience! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
And Polly made a cameo. The Grapevine should profile Polly in a video!
Yes, she brightens every video!
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine And now Polly is Iceland’s most famous dog?
I think some of the dogs in the sagas (especially Gunnarr's dog Sámr) might be slightly more famous, but no more beloved!
Outstanding! What a brilliant choice to bring the sagas to life. Thank you!
That poem could've been written when he was standing there at the volcano. The way it was describing what was going on in the poem was actually happening when Matthew was reading it. Even down to it snowing. I hope Matthew does many more of these Sagas soon cos I've watched them all & started watching them again. I also like the subtitles provided. It shows that spelling in Iceland is very different to how a word is pronounced. Even Matthews voice & the way he tells the story is mesmerising
Thank you for your continued interest in the series! Yes, there are several more videos in the pipeline and the next one should be up in a week or so. Hope you'll enjoy it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
I love the way in which you present the Sagas.
Thanks you for your interest in the series. We'll keep them coming and we hope you stay tuned to enjoy them! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Takk. Ég hlakka til fleiri sögusagna!
Great comment, many tanks Matthew! By being so faithful to old texts and beliefs, without much interpretation, by reading the mysterious and wonderful "poem", with no intent to make us believe whatever, by discretely using the wonderful background of the ongoing Geldingadalir eruption, being simple and natural in your behaviour, and thanks to your extremely clear diction, you have convinced us better than through any other mean that is might be worth reading and investigating about these Islandic sagas that you mention, and that we were absolutely not aware of so far. Thank you! And please tell us more about these sagas!
Thank you for all your kind words. Our goal with this series is to get more people interested in the sagas, so it's wonderful to read comments like this. We'll keep the videos coming for you! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Really interesting - majestic backdrop behind these words. I knew nothing about iceland before I starting watching this channel. Thank You!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
This was amazing to watch and listen to. Standing in front of an glowing and advancing lawa wall, reading a volcanic poem, is simultaneously totally crazy and epic. Go Matthew😎
Is interesting and mysterious ! Thank you. Live your country's story!
Thanks very much. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
i see the Chief Moral Officer -pully is provided comic relief.
Love it
Yes! Filming this episode was actually my first opportunity to meet her in person (in dog?). I was thrilled when she chose to do a cameo!
Beautiful poem.... how meaningful and so descriptive of a volcanic eruption and how accurately You explain it. Thank you. True poetry conveys more than words; it catches the experience of humanity's fear and desire.
Thank you for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
What a beautiful scene while reading that beautiful poem.
Thank you. Yes, I think the landscape really brings this poem to life! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Loving the historical context of the sagas and Icelandic lore woven into the landscape
Thank you! That's exactly the formula we're going for with this series. Hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future!
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine most definitely!
Thank you for this fascinating lecture, with a stupendous backdrop!
Yes, it was stunning: my favourite location for shooting a Saga Stories video so far! Thank you for your interest and support! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Thank you for such an excellent reading of that poem, Matthew!
This was so perfect. Doing this reading in front if the lava some of it red and smoking, did what an off site reading could never do. I enjoyed it immensely! Love the Grape Vine!
Thanks for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Thank you for this! It’s the first one I’ve listened too and will catch them all. I spend time with the volcano almost everyday and it’s wonderful to learn about the people and the land.
Thank you for your interest in the series. Hope you'll enjoy them! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Such awesome storytelling and video. I am preparing for a visit to Iceland and this series is so informative and visually stunning. Thank you for presenting the sagas. So glad to see the Morale Officer-aka Polly- is keeping watch.
Amazing how you open a window to see the far distant past.
Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Thanks, outstanding story and visuals! Loved the poem.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
What a lovely story! I am fascinated by the Saga Stories. Thank you!
Thank you for your interest, and for your kind words. We hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in future. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
That was masterful! From the beginning you had me by the lapels and that's where I stayed until you finished. Wow, what just happened? (3/28/21)
Thanks so much for your kind words. We're glad you enjoyed it and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
The huge monster with the two glowing eyes might have some resemblance to some of the photos of the current eruption.
Also, Polly's photobomb was much appreciated.
An excellent point! Some of Art's drone footage really demonstrates this well. I also very much appreciated Polly's cameo: it was like a seal of approval from the Grapevine's #1 personality. Thanks for your interest! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine "a cave that they had never seen before" that no-one knew about. Could it have been a not quite cold lava tube where 2 points of hot lava still glowed in the darkness? . . . Whoooooo 😮
I literally came to this comment section to make note of Polly's photo bomb.
Love how Polly still managed to get into the video. Thanks Dr Roby.
Yes, I was honoured when she chose to do a cameo in my video! Thanks for your interest and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories coming soon. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
You should seriously do more book readings next to the Active volcano
Perhaps a series entitled "Extreme Bibliophiles!"?
So interesting!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Merci beaucoup, þakka þér kærlega, thanks a lot. Icelandic poetry in front of a still moving lava flow… what a fantastic sjónarspil, so nice, so strong, so rich in emotions. About forty years ago, I sampled the various Reykjanes swarm flows in order to study them back in Paris, France (geochemistry). At that time, I became in love with this country. I have come here a few time since, though not as frequently as I wished. Maybe when in the next years, I'll retire, will I come back. Once more, many thanks for the saga series, and this episode in particular.
Hope that you can make a visit soon. It'll be here waiting for you!
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It is clear that you are so enthusiastic about Sagas, Matthew! Your diction and
presentation skills are excellent!! Thank you from Canada 🇨🇦.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Thank you Matthew !
My pleasure! Thanks for your interest. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
These Saga Stories are so excellent. I hope you will continue this series.
Thank you for your continued interest in the series. Yes, there are several more videos in the pipeline and the next one should be up in a week or so. Hope you'll enjoy it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine Dr. Roby, I've been telling my sons about your videos - as they were teaching me Uwe Rosenberg's game "A Feast for Odin." Your telling on location have illuminated the sagas - thanks for producing more. I look forward to them.
Thank you once again Dr Roby! Loved your poem reading!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
I found the channel looking for reporting on the eruption that was not mainstream news. I was thrilled to see the list of saga videos. Of course I watched this one first but now I know what I'll be doing the rest of the evening, I loved the poem. Since I don't know where to find a copy, I'll have to follow the creature's admonishment and memorize it.
Yes, this poem is not widely available in translation, I'm afraid. Thank you for your interest in the series -- hope you enjoyed them. We'll keep them coming! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Dr Matthew Roby is an amazing storyteller, and the sagas of old Iceland come alive.🌟
Thanks for your interest in the series, and for your kind words. Hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories videos coming very soon! All best wishes, from Matthew Roby
that was awesome thank you Dr Matthew Roby ;-)
It's our pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful camerawork, and a great episode. The poem really moved me!
Thank you. Yes, Art certainly knows his craft!
Great job DR. Roby.
Glad you liked it!
very informative, Thank you for sharing - learnt much today re Saga stories.
Thank you very much! Spreading the word about Old Norse-Icelandic literature is exactly what this series is about, so it's great to read comments like this one. Thanks for watching and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories coming soon. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
An interesting literary perspective. Thank you. (I wonder if there are dogs like Polly in ancient Icelandic lore. A dog of the volcano.)
There are a few dogs in the literature, some of which are quite important: Garmr (who kills the God Týr according to the Prose Edda); Snati (Gestr's fighting dog in Bárðar saga); Sámr (Gunnarr's intelligent dog in Njáls saga); and Vígi (the dog belonging to Óláfr Tryggvason).
It's beyond-the-sight culture!! Human experiences accumulate and make what we are today, in a marvelous way. This only reason is enough to show how untruthful are those who promise 'a brand new World, free from the Past': a dishonest lie, too evil to be just considered foolishness. Keep your great work! Cheers from São Paulo, Brazil.
That was quite interesting and what a backdrop!
Yes, it was a stunning place to film. I could have stayed and stared at it all day! Thanks for watching! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
very interesting stories thanks for sharing
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Very well presented young man you are a credit to your team over there in Iceland
Thank you for your kind words!
lovely storys,and the drone clips is pure magic,just brilliant :-)
We really appreciate your interest and kind words. Thanks for watching! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Thank you, love hearing part of the saga for the first time.
Our pleasure; we're glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
I loved your reading and the sagas with the geologic phenomenon
Yes, the landscape and the literature really complemented each other that day! Thanks for your interest and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories coming soon. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine I am so touched that you wrote to me, thank you.
At 13:40 good always overcomes evil, in the past as well as in the present! The Sagas are educational as well as fascinating. Our Lord’s returning is upon us. Draw near to Him.
Thanks for your interest. Many of the sagas of Icelanders focus on the conversion, and the tensions between Christians and pagans. If you're interested in this topic, I urge you to check out our video on Flóamanna saga, in which the faith of the recently Christianised hero is tested to the limit. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Great presentation! Thanks.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Awesome job on the Saga story
Thank you very much for your interest. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
So glad you took advantage of this eruption event for your material. :) I felt it would be a shame if no one decided to use this scenery footage to their benefit in their programs (movies, education / story telling material, etc.). The grassy spot chosen to sit starting around 5:00 is absolutely perfect!
Yes, this experience really brought home the fact that there's no better place to be researching Old Norse-Icelandic literature than here. Thanks for your interest and we hope you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in the future. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine I shall. Thank you for making these videos. I really enjoy how much time and effort is put into researching and preparing all of this information into nice little episodes for everyone to easily digest. I honestly haven’t a clue about a lot of Nordic Icelandic culture and history, but I quite enjoy your presentation. Your voice is very nice and I love hearing speakers provide proper pronunciations of non-English words.🙂
Excellent presentation!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Doc, very interesting and looking forward to the next video
Thank you so much for your continued support. We'll keep them coming! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Not normal a one for this sort of video, but I found it very interesting. Thank you for you time to make it. 👍
Thanks very much! The goal of this series is to bring the sagas to a wider audience, so I'm thankful that you took the time to watch and appreciate it :)
Very nice historical information in regards to the societal impact of medieval Iceland, especially between Pagans and Christians.
Thank you! Glad you liked it. For more information about the conversion stories, you can check out our previous Saga Stories video on Þingvellir. Hope you'll enjoy it, and that you'll stay tuned for more Saga Stories in future. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
I appreciate this information very much. Thank you.
You're very welcome, as always!
Thank you for great volcano eruptions and witnessing from past to present time moving forward to future.till then keep smiling with lol politely and healthy safely provide care
Very well done! Hope to hear more from you :)
Thank you for your interest! We've got many more Saga Stories planned so we hope you stay tuned. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Thank you so much from Australia
You are very welcome! It's great to see that the videos are being enjoyed all around the world!
Thank you - that was excellent. I was thinking Smaug with eyes like shields. I wouldn't have hung around to hear the poem repeated.
No, I think I'd have scarpered too! Thanks for watching. We're glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Very much appreciated this one. I will listen again and drink twice.
Thank you for your interest. We're glad to see that you went back and checked out our earlier Saga Stories videos. Hope you'll stay tuned for more! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine could you please tell me which one had the reading said at a funeral? I really would like to take it down to keep or slightly modify for a funeral. I just do not know what one it was, hope it was not this one or I will feel silly. I was truly moved but then forgot to get back to it before I listened to others. I have told several people to hear you and see the back ground. Perfect mix. A Family in Idaho USA with two young sons, the mother has Scandinavian heritage I hope will want to listen together.
Are you referring to Egill Skalla-Grímsson's poem in commemoration of his sons? The poem is called Sonatorrek. I read a bit of it in my video on Egils saga, but you can find translations of the whole poem in English online. It's in chapter 81 of the whole saga text on this site: sagadb.org/egils_saga.en.
@@TheReykjavikGrapevine found it, I so very appreciative thank you. I am new to the culture here in SW England. What I have possibly by way of return... May I offer 2 incidents of the necessities of oral memory I have noticed here historically?
To me Obviously the Welsh are still distinctively different than the Brits. But song and reciting very alive w yearly competitive events that move around the country. Otherwise strongly impressed i that in pre lititure society.... men were required to be able to recite 9 generations of ancestors....I understood for the sake of property boundaries disputes or legal situations needing settled. The English memory story surviving in a religious calendar now fading, is called 'Beating the Bounds'. (I think same as Anglican Rogation Sunday). A country densely settled and funded on Parish size units (no speration of church and State) note: Sunday attendence times past unwavering compulsory. Serious yrly obligation of no doubt leading men and sons??? Ritual designated day walked the Parish boundary limits of the governed unit. So here is the Good bit: beside logical big geographical objects, like rock, streams, big oak tree....those place markers memorised...the young boys were beaten with a stick (?) At the points long est. to bed in strong memory w pain + visual! Nerologically lodged in the manchild's mind held tight for the next generation. Deep in the trauma mind below cognitive memory recall. I just found it fascinating. Don't tryst my preceptions of my understanding. I notice currently lingering is a token yrly short Sunday church group walk. I assume carry on symbolically strike objects trying to continue race memory? Tribe cohesive event while insuring no land encroachment. But what do I know??? I know a Saga poem I will keep part of alive. Gratitude a western American 23 yrs in Uk
PatRicia Saxton. SpocksDaughter 'turning the wheel'....no editing must hurry on
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Happened upon this just to watch the footage of the lava flows, but I enjoyed your presentation. Thx.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
I am so glad that you are presenting these sagas...Understanding Icelanders background has helped me to relate with my granddaughter's Icelandic grandparents and family...Will you have more history of those that are mentioned in the poem?
It's wonderful to hear that the videos are reaching so many people and touching them in so many different ways. It makes it all worthwhile! There should be a video on Snorra Edda at some point which will address some mythical figures. Thanks for watching and I hope you'll stay tuned for more.
Excellent ! The land of ice and fire indeed.
That was very interesting. Thank you.
Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
AWESOME.... Thanks for he saga stories...
Thank you! We're glad you're enjoying them and hope you'll stay tuned for more. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
Beautiful poem.
Thank you for your interest, though credit for the poem itself must go to to the translator, Marvin Taylor, and -- ultimately -- to the original Icelandic poet! Hope you enjoyed it and will stay tuned for more Saga Stories in future! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
The very first time I saw you,in several from a simmering but smoldering volcano mountain 'asphalt hill,was just a week ago,Mr.Matthew Robby:you were on the last step of a single red'velvet color steeple Church,with almond color white painted trimming'3--29--2021'
Those Icelandic churches are so cute!
Fantastic. Good work!
Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Iceland would have had Lava Tube caves from previous volcanic activity. Such a cave could have been a route for new lava. We have some on top Mount Hood, an active volcano that is presently napping. Hikers have occasionally used these as a camping spot, only to die of the gasses that have accumulated there. These gasses can also produce hallucinations in small doses.
Thank you, as ever, for your interest in the videos. I'd never heard of lava tubes before, so thank you for the insight. Geology is hardly my area of expertise, but perhaps this could be a naturalistic explanation for the visions! Thanks again. Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
THANKS FOR THE HISTORY LESSON VERY INTERESTING.
Our pleasure! Thanks for your interest.
looking up Sutr thank you
The whole purpose of this series is to get people interested in Old Norse-Icelandic literature, so I'm so glad to read comments like this one! Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
wonderful! thanks so much for this video
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby
this was great, so interresting.
Enjoyed your explanation of the this icelandic poem, Dr. Roby, with the lava Field cracking in the background🌋🌋 continue the very informative reports.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. We'll keep the videos coming!
Thank you, that was very interesting.
It's our pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, from Matthew Roby