Victims of any kind of offend more often than not seek justice for they want fair punishment of one`s horrible deeds. This search can be seen in all cultures around the world and can be traced back after and before the adoption of Christianity. However, justice system was and still is far from perfection because it is plagued by all sorts of violations. The major drawback that corrodes it is corruption along with partiality of those who are to be unbiased and bribeless servants of Themis. The perfect examples of corrupted justice system and wealth prevailment can be found in sagas of Icelanders; thus Bandamanna saga or as it is translated The Story of the Confederates illuminates celebration of bribery and biased court. (Thordarson) Corruption and greed were dragging Iceland into the darkness which further led to fall of it and its loss of independence. The causes of this tragic but predictable downfall echoed in sagas like Bandamanna saga which mocks justice system and reveals true intentions of chieftaincy class. Further analysis of Bandamanna saga will illuminate its main themes of injustice and corrupted chieftaincy class that serves not to those who seek justice but to their own needs and desires.
Bandamanna saga can be treated as a unique piece of literature that raises lots of debates and arguments concerning its author and date of creation. However, its significance and input into understanding history of Iceland is undeniable. Themes that arose in this saga reveal problems and difficulties of working class and reflect main reasons and background of fall of Iceland. Thus, themes of corruption and injustice court are the leading ones in this saga that in a mocking way present greedy chieftaincy. Main character of this saga is a self-made man Oddr who gained all his wealth and good reputation through hard and honest work. However, he gained not only wealth but also jealousy of others. Thus, after Oddr`s loss of wethers and death of his kinsman he seeks justice and wants Úspakr bear the punishment. As soon as Oddr enters Thing he becomes not only the victim and justice seeker but also a puppet on a string that is skillfully manipulated and played by honest liars in the face of chiefs. His destiny and outcome of the case is already determined by greedy Styrmir and Thórarinn who put their own interests before law. Styrmir arguments that “and I certainly maintain, that it would be as well if Oddr knew that more men are worth something than he alone; he crushes us, "Þing"-men and all, under his feet, so that he alone is mentioned; it would do no harm if it were tried how skilled he is in law” these lines reveals true nature of those who judge people along with institutions that aimed at establishing peace and justice but instead create more chaos. (Thordarson) There is irony that those who were supposed to protect and bring justice to victims create and cause even greater injustice and problems.
Chiefs are presented not as wise men but as sly and greedy leeches that breed only greed and injustice. They are masters of law and they know how to use this law in their own purposes. It should be mentioned that through this law case one may observe a huge gap between chieftaincy and working class. This self-oriented position divides them and prevents from successful development of country as well as society. They give words and oaths that have certain prices and can be easily adjusted to the current situation as it was with Egill and others. It seems that there is no cure for this ailment called corruption, however there are some hints of remedy in Oddr`s words “Why, what should I do but to ride to the 'Þing' and secure assistance of men there” which shows his will to do everything according to law without any bribes or other violations and gives suggestion that next generation may be not so corrupted and money oriented. (Thordarson)
All things considered in this revealing saga justice is gained only by bribes. Money is responsible for punishing those who are guilty or on the contrary justifying those who are not. Corrupted chieftaincy is depicted as leeches who suck wealth and may ruin one`s life in order to gain more possessions. Instead of keeping peace and order chiefs create more chaos disguised by law.
References
Thordarson, Sveinbjorn. "The Story of The Confederates - Icelandic Saga Database". Sagadb.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.
