Honor

Honor is a prominent theme in this novel and it is exemplified by men and women alike. Svanhild is one of the characters that is most focused on honor. She is obsessed with the ancient songs, many of which deal with honor, and it shows in her dealings with Solvi. When Svanhild first encounters Solvi and realizes who he is, she deems him a man without honor. Even though she is initially attracted to him, she knows that she cannot love a man without honor, which is what she believes him to be. She comments to herself that “Even if she wanted that king of life, wanted him, Solvi was a man without honor, a man she could not consider” (130). This quote shows that Svanhild is so concerned with honor that she will not even consider marrying a man who she is greatly attracted to because...