Justifiable Homicide In the Scandinavian family saga, the main character Hrafnkel is justified in his killing of Einar. Although there are several reasons that Hrafnkel was unjustified in his act, the reasons supporting Hrafnkel’s deed outweigh the reasons that would oppose it. The Icelandic idea of civilization, law, and the importance of one’s word all provided a strong backing for Hrafnkel to act in the way that he did. Hrafnkel’s murder of …showed first 75 words of 557 total…

…showed last 75 words of 557 total…of his ability. (41) The previously stated facts are overwhelmingly in support of Hrafnkel. Hrafnkel offered any other horse in the stable but Einar still chose to ride Freyfaxi. (39-40) One must live up to their word in these times. One who reads this story in the present era may see it as a savage tale of murder and dictatorship, but one forgets how much we as a civilization have drastically changed from then to now.