The (Vi)Kings’ Saga: Mixed Modality as the Key to the Construction of Meaning in Jómsvíkinga saga

The objective of this article is to analyse the narrative functions of mixed modality in Jómsvíkinga saga, a text that combines elements of different saga genres, primarily the kings’ sagas and the legendary sagas. It is argued here that the mixed modality is not a sign of the early saga’s imperfection, but it serves as a narrative device that contributes to the saga’s capacity to indirectly express commentary on social issues that were current at the time of the saga’s composition.