The Relation of the Hrólfs Saga Kraka and the Bjarkarímur to Beowulf: A Contribution to the History of Saga Development in England and The: Scandinavian Countries

A scholarly dissertation submitted in the early 20th century, specifically in 1916. This work explores the connections between the Old Norse narratives found in the Hrólfs Saga Kraka and the Bjarkarímur, and the well-known Anglo-Saxon epic, Beowulf. The primary aim of the dissertation is to investigate how these sagas are related, particularly focusing on shared themes, characters, and storytelling techniques that illustrate the development of saga literature in both England and the Scandinavian countries. The opening of the dissertation lays the groundwork for an in-depth analysis of the relationship between these literary works. It begins with acknowledgments to several academic mentors who contributed to Olson's research, followed by an introduction explaining that the study stems from an examination of Beowulf. Olson mentions specific sections of the Hrólfs Saga, namely the B[o.]ðvarsþáttr and the Fróðaþáttr, as focal points for discussion. He outlines the complex web of influences among these texts and suggests that his investigation will clarify how the stories of Bjarki in Hrólfs Saga and the significant exploits found in Beowulf, particularly with the character Grendel, intersect and inform one another. The groundwork is set for a systematic exploration of narrative structures and cultural exchanges in early medieval literature.