Maci Wallace
Grettir the Strong: Altruistic or Not?
http://www.newbridgerecovery.com/the-benefits-of-altruism/
I am going to discuss whether or not some of Grettir’s “heroic” acts would be considered altruistic. We have discussed in class about Grettir being a so called “anti-hero” as the result of his brave and helpful actions for others, but at the same time being a thief, murderer, and outlaw.
We read in chapter 35 that Grettir volunteers to stay the night at the farmer’s house in Thorhallsstadir so that he can keep watch for Glam. This acts sounds altruistic at first because killing Glam would be a huge favor to the farmer. The book mentions that “Glam’s hauntings had become so notorious that people hardly talked about anything else.” (81); therefore, Grettir could have volunteered because he is aware of his own strength and what he is capable of, thinking he might as well put it to good use. On the other hand, Grettir has shown character traits in earlier readings of the books that prove he does enjoy being the center of attention. This act could be another way of grasping the attention of everyone in the town, showing off his strength, and proving to himself and others that he is un-matched.
http://gulfelitemag.com/5-ways-become-center-attention/
Moving on to chapter 64 when Grettir travels to Sandhaugar because he heard of a habitual breaking and entering event and he believed “he was particularly skillful at putting an end to hauntings and ghosts..”, which is what he thought this was (148). After asking to stay at the house, the farmer’s wife left with her daughter and told him he was staying at his own risk. Is this act altruistic? Grettir is well aware of the danger he might face considering his run in with Glam that left him injured and cursed. He must understand what may come of this; therefore, is it possible that he volunteered because he knows what he is capable of and that no one else in town is capable of doing better despite the danger that could come of this? Or, Grettir may be offering his help because he loved the thrill, attention, and thankfulness he received from fighting and beating Glam.
Within that same chapter, Grettir must help the farmer’s wife and her daughter cross the river so that they can go to Christmas Eve Mass. This act is one that I would consider to be altruistic on Grettir’s part. He traveled to their house to defeat whatever was haunting it during the night. He did not arrive there with the intent to help others cross the swollen, icy river; however, he was aware of the danger of the house and that the mother and daughter desperately wanted to leave. Grettir’s soft spot for his own mother may have led him to voluntarily transport this mother and daughter across the river knowing that he was not going to get much out of it in terms of glory or a massive amount of praise.
The purpose of this blog is not to determine which act is better, an altruistic one or a non-altruistic one, but to analyze whether Grettir faired more towards one or the other.
Personally, I think Grettir has moments in the saga where he would attempt to show the softer and more kind-hearted side of himself. I really like the question you posed about other intentions for acting kindly towards others especially in the case of the farmer’s wife. In this particular case, it seems that Grettir may very well have a valid reason for non-altruistic intentions in proving his strength against this seemingly unbeatable monster. For this act of kindness in carrying the farmer’s wife across the river, I believe Grettir certainly had selfish intentions of personal reputation and triumph. I believe this because in his past adventures, he conquers beasts and rivals for his own glory and satisfaction and for the reward he sometimes receives from his accomplishments. Overall, I think you were able to hit the nail right on the head by seeing past Grettirs outward persona appealing to the farmer’s wife.
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