The Story of Gunnlaug the Worm-Tongue and Raven the Skald 1875

"The Story of Gunnlaug the Worm-Tongue and Raven the Skald" by Anonymous, likely created in the 1200s, is an adventurous story about love, competition, and what is meant to be. The story takes place in early Iceland, where being brave and respected was very important, and it follows two talented poets, Gunnlaug and Raven, who become enemies because they both love the same woman, Helga the Fair. Gunnlaug Worm-Tongue goes on many trips and promises to marry Helga, but Raven also wants to marry her while Gunnlaug is gone for a while. With poems, fights, and a final battle, the saga looks at ideas of respect and cheating in Iceland, where what people thought of you was very important. In the end, the story has sad results, showing that both men can't escape what is meant to happen to them as their lives become mixed up with love and competition, which leads to fighting and sadness for those around them.