The Construction of Auðunar þáttr vestfirzka: A Case of Typological Thinking in Early Old Norse Prose

[...]Ísleifr's gift of a polar bear to Emperor Henry III appears in what constitutes the foundation legend of the "Icelandic Church." Apart from Auðunn's excursion to Greenland, the itineraries are identical (Iceland-NorwayDenmark-Rome-Denmark-Iceland). [...]both Jón and Auðunn arrive at Sveinn's court with the king at Mass. Associating the saving of the wretched with the rejection of pagan idols, which is the devil's bondage, and the embracing of the true religion, this is a cry of despair that corresponds to the state of desolation of poor, imprisoned people. [...]fittingly, considering heathenism's imminent demise, the symbol of Hell is marked by grave goods in the shape of a horse and a dog. On hearing of the saint's reputation, Totila is keen to test whether he is filled with the gift of prophecy. Because of his wickedness, Totila sends his servant dressed in royal attire to Benedict's monastery.