The Saga of Gunnlaug the Serpant-Tongue

I really enjoyed reading this saga because it somewhat disproved many of the common Viking stereotypes found today. Why do I say this?
Well, first of all, in the very beginning of the story, Thorstein has a dream about a beautiful swan and two eagles that fight over it. As it turns out the swan represented Thorsein's unborn daughter, and the eagles were men who would die over her. I found this to be a very good use of the literary technique of foreshadowing. Also, the poetry once again appears throughout this saga and it's form and use of symbolism is quite interesting. Thus, it shows that the Vikings were not simply blood-thirsty men, but they had skills in story telling and prose.
Another thing about this saga that disproved some of the stereotypes was the story line of a love triangle. This I think showed how men and women did indeed have feelings, they fell in love, were jealous, and mourned the loss of of those they loved. This is a side of the Vikings that is rarely discussed. Also, the story line seemed to be comparable to the plots of many many novels and movies today. Thus this saga, although centuries old, is still entertaining to those who read it even today. I wouldn't be surprised if a movie has been made based on this plot line.
Finally, I just want to add one interesting little note,.....on page 567 it says "it was about this time that the best thing ever to have happend in Iceland ocurred: the whole country became Christian and the entire population abandoned the old faith." This I am sure is not a true account of Iceland, although they might have officially changed their religion, I doubt that they all abandoned "the old faith" or that any of the Vikings found it to be the "best thing ever." I am sure that some of the Christian scribes must have influenced this part of the saga.