Syrdon e il fændyr: temi, varianti e variazioni

Abstract

In this paper I focus on the Nartic story concerning the invention of the fændyr by Syrdon. I present eight versions of the same story, pointing out their similarities and dissimilarities. The comparative analysis of different narrative sequences shows us that the fændyr story entails a compact narrative nucleus, comprising three core events, the death of Syrdon’s sons, the performance of a domestic funeral offer by Syrdon and a final part in which Syrdon shared his invention with the Narts. This story came to frequently be built on another narrative nucleus, which concerned a cattle raid performed by Syrdon. Variants and variations on common themes connected to the fændyr-story thus reveal the fluid workings of the Nartic oral tradition.