POWER AND MYTH: THE FIGURE OF THE VIKING WARRIOR WOMAN THROUGH AUDIOVISUAL FICTIONS

Abstract

The relationship between the cinema and Viking culture is extensive and prolific, spanning from the early days of the audiovisual medium to our most immediate present. Throughout this long history, the representation of women belonging to Viking culture has typically occupied a secondary role, which is due to the traditionally misogynistic and patriarchal frameworks of Western film industries. Despite this general trend, one of the Viking female archetypes that has gained significant prominence is that of the warrior woman. This archetype has achieved substantial fame and relevance in contemporary audiovisual media, bolstered by recent archaeological findings. These fierce Nordic-inspired characters have even influenced the portrayal of other non-Viking historical female figures who took up arms at some point in history. This study aims to analyse this Viking woman archetype, examining its treatment in the audiovisual field and how it has evolved to the present day. By doing so, we seek to understand how our perception of these warrior women, usually considered legendary figures, has been and continues to be shaped, remaining vividly alive in our collective imagination thanks largely to cinema and television.