Grettir

Icelandic mythology

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

Grettis saga is one of the finest Icelandic family sagas, written around 1320. It tells the story of Grettir, a complex outlaw hero known for his bravery, generosity, and a headstrong nature that leads him into trouble. After killing a man at age 14, he is outlawed and performs brave deeds in Norway. Upon returning to Iceland, he battles a malicious ghost named Glam, who curses him with a fear of the dark. Grettir is outlawed again after accidentally causing a chieftain's son to die in a fire. During his long outlawry, he faces pursuit from enemies, outlaws, and supernatural beings, all while battling his growing fear of darkness. He is eventually overwhelmed and killed with the aid of witchcraft. The saga's theme is captured by the saying, "Good gifts and good luck are often worlds apart".1

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Grettis saga
…character of its outlaw hero, Grettir, and on its skillful incorporation into the narrative of numerous motifs from folklore. Its theme is summed up in the gnomic style of the sagas: “Good gifts and good luck are often worlds apart.”
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…character of its outlaw hero, Grettir, and on its skillful incorporation into the narrative of numerous motifs from folklore. Its theme is summed up in the gnomic style of the sagas: “Good gifts and good luck are often worlds apart.”
Read More