The Cost of Celebrity Poetry in the Viking Age

Becoming a celebrity poet during the Viking Age came with high personal costs, particularly as depicted in Icelandic folklore. The story follows Thorstein, a farmer, who encounters a man from the East who interprets his dreams, revealing dark prophecies about his future children. This interaction emphasizes how the fame associated with poetry could lead to tragedy, as Thorstein grapples with the implications of the forewarning about his daughter and the ensuing violence it foretells. Ironically, despite the allure and prestige that accompany celebrity poets, the story urges caution, suggesting that fame often brings unforeseen consequences.