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As a survivor of a culture of toxic masculinity (
), the implication that medieval Icelanders did not suffer from gender-based oppression makes me feel very uncomfortable.
), the implication that medieval Icelanders did not suffer from gender-based oppression makes me feel very uncomfortable.
As a young man I was brought to the brink of suicide because I couldn't admit to myself and to the world that I am not meant for combat service (Israeli army service is mandatory).
I hope anyone who reads this remembers the pains and experiences of medieval Icelanders who didn't fit into their gender expectations.
As the creator of a humorous comic about the sagas I know that sometimes you need to bend the truth for a laugh, but when we present ourselves as experts we need to be responsible with what we say.
I recommend, for example, @ArmannJa's Viator piece "Masculinity and politics in Njáls saga" as well as @quothgareth's recent book about masculinity for a more subtle and responsible understanding of how masculinity in medieval Iceland worked.
also @quothgareth and @LittleAsALeaf's recent edited volume Masculinities in Old Norse Literature. And in general check out the work done in @kyngervi
