Transformation and Shape-Changing in Old Norse Literature and in Folk ‘Memorates’

Notwithstanding new fabulous details imported from the continent, the Northern Artic nature continues to appear in Old Norse texts. Witches and magicians taking on whale shapes occur in episodes where fishing and magics are linked to each other in every category of Scandinavian sagas (Sagas of Icelanders,i.e. Eirikssagarauða, King’s sagas, and Fornaldasogur) as well as in other popular tales. By the way, the motif of a fishing god in a world where fishing was so crucial for living does not surprise too much: of course I refer to e Þórr trying to fish the Miðgarðsormr which lies in the ocean and wraps the earth. The monster’s positive role has been indicated in recent years by scholars who have pointed out its function of holding the earth together. This positive view seems to hint at the peculiar role of whales as a fundamental economic resource.
I will draw some examples from two sagas: Barðarsaga Snæfellsás, where two wizards are related to a whale, and Friðþjófssaga one of the most famous Fornaldarsögur. These sagas show many folkloristic aspects, typical of later folkliterature like folkballads. They represent a kind of transitional phase between mythical account and folktale where we can find ancient characters, names and language features, besides more popular, often ridiculous and humorous aspects, partly shared by Barðarsaga.