The image of women from Norse to Modern times

This thesis explores how modern digital works reinterpret female characters from Norse mythology, mostly focusing on characters such as Brynhildr, Áslaug and Lagertha. Based on medieval sources such as the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, Völsunga saga and Ragnars saga loðbrókar, the thesis investigates how these mythological women have changed in modern digital media, especially in the “Vikings” TV series. The analysis shows how ancient female characters adapted to contemporary debates about gender, identity and female activity and independence. By using a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, the thesis combines comprehensive textual analysis with feminist literature theory and includes the views of scholars such as Toril Moi and Judith Butler. It explores how contemporary female characters challenge or destroy traditional stories by providing subtle and expressive versions of mythical women. The particular reinterpretations are not only repetitions, but also active cultural dialogues that reflect contemporary Scandinavian values and feminist thoughts in present times. The thesis analyzes the intersection of mythology, gender and narrative, shows that the contemporary reworking of Norse female characters serves both as a continuation of cultural heritage and as a test of historical gender roles, positioning women as symbols of resistance, complexity and transformation in the modern digital narrative.