Helga

A drawn interpretation of Helga Mordsdottir

# **A description of the Character**

Helga is the wife of the Viking Finnbogi and was the mistress of Finnbogi’s household and was somewhat tyrannical to her thralls. She was also desperate for riches, who wanted wealth without much hassle. She also did not care at all for the wellbeing of the Skraelings, keeping them in cages and ruthlessly working them until they cannot work anymore.

# **Biography**

Helga’s birth was not detailed or said at any point in the book. However, it can be inferred that she was born at some point in 967 CE, presumably in Norway. Her family history can only be seen in her last name, Mordsdottir. This shows she is the daughter of a Viking named Mord, but he is not mentioned in the book. She died the year after they explored Vinland, 1003 CE. She died at Freydis' might, taken down by two axe blows.

# **Personality**

Helga’s personality can be seen as egocentric, not caring about the Skraeling lives she is ruining or even her baby daughter. This is seen when she breaks the Skraeling’s arm when Freydis and her men attack, standing defiantly against them, ‘like as if she was daring us to touch her’. Knowing that she would not stop, even without Finnbogi, Freydis took it upon herself to down Helga, and in doing so make the baby daughter watch as her mother was taken out by an axe. However, she could also be seen as a very traditional person, from when she says "Do not speak to me, Freydis Ericsdottir. I respect my husband, unlike some I know. Listen to your own man before you bother mine. We have a chance at riches here. Go away and do not bother us." From this, we can see she believes that the man is the head of the household, and as no problem with it. She also says "Who are you, thrall, to speak to a free woman!" This shows she believes in the social hierarchy of thralls, karls and jarls.

# **Speech**

Helga’s speech is sparse, but from what we are given, it is usually agitated or angry. One could infer that it is because everything makes her life of ease and wealth out of reach. In chapter 28, she says “This had better be a good profit”, which shows her want for money and foreshadows the point when Finnbogi is planning to sell the Skraelings, and shows contempt towards Freydis, telling her to listen to Thorvard. The interaction shows she is a very religious person, listening to custom and doing her husband’s bidding, opposing Freydis’ rebellious streak. She also says, ‘Who are you, thrall, to speak to a free woman?’ on page 258. The said statement was again based on the hierarchy of that time. This effectively makes the audience turn against Helga, as she is opposing the main character. The statement contradicts the recent events of Hekja’s adoption. Her speech can also be backed up by her actions.

# **Actions**

Helga’s actions differ greatly from page 170 and page 258 but are still mostly the same. On page 170, she is reserved, grumbling, and probably complaining silently in her head. However, her actions in 258 are fuelled by the thought of riches, having successfully managed to get a source of money, and a great deal, too. Furthermore, she is a faithful woman. This is usually a good trait, but when Hekja explains the massacre to Snorri on page 268, you see that her actions are somewhat unhinged. She stood up to a small army of men, as well as a woman who is against the grain of society, just to have the chance of getting some sort of money. Seeing these examples, she would probably be tyrannical with power, being an extreme example of an egocentric person. Her actions are of the stereotypical villain; she’s a person wanting money and power but doesn’t think of the impact it has on others.

# **Appearance**

On page 170, it says Helga is a middle-aged woman with a sharp face, thin grey hair, and thin lips. This means she is an older lady, around fifty years old. After her encounter with Hekja, she mumbles to herself ‘better than a life of seal porridge and whale blubber’. The way this is said means that Helga and Finnbogi don’t eat luxuriously, which could explain the sharp face and the reader could infer that she also has quite a thin stature. This is backed up by the statement ‘shrugged her bony shoulders’.

# **Interaction with Others**

When the two meet, Helga gives Hekja the cold shoulder, not nearly as welcoming as the other wives of men she had met before. On page 170, after Hekja repeats her question, ‘*she shrugged her bony shoulders’*, giving the impression she doesn’t care. After this however, Finnbogi decides to sail alongside Freydis, and Helga mutters *‘There had better be a good profit’* on page 171, contradictory to her nonchalant attitude when Hekja stated her message. She then slams the door in Hekja’s face and shows no courtesy to Hekja despite her long run. An example again of Helga’s interactions is on page 258, when she sneers at Freydis, saying *‘Do not speak to me, Freydis Ericsdottir. I respect my husband, unlike some I know…’* This contempt shown towards Freydis was probably also held for all her thralls, due to her sudden wealth from Skraeling thralls. Therefore, it can be said that she is an arrogant woman.