I usually frequent twitter not only to check what is going in the Outlander fandom but also articles that can help Outlander readers understand certain aspects of the series such as historical background and characterization. Today I came across this interesting article.
The Viking Berserkers – fierce warriors or drug-fuelled madmen
Jamie is often described as having Viking blood and looks. He goes berserk sometimes when he is provoked, especially when it comes to protecting Claire and his family. Here are the main points that attracted me to this article.
- The Viking Berserkers used to wear the pelts of wolves and bears to intimidate their enemies. In fact Berserker means “bear coat” in Old Norse. This is relevant to Outlander due to the fact that Jamie’s spirit animal is the bear. Similarly Young Ian has also gone berserk too (especially when he kills one of the Amerindians who was hunting him down in book 8). His spirit animal is the wolf.
- The Berserkers were also described as “hot-headed.”
- The Viking Berserkers were fierce warriors who used to fight in a trance-like state of fury. Keep in mind that Jamie’s colour is red, the colour of the warrior. The article details different theories for this behaviour. They probably consumed certain drugs, such as bog myrtle. The Berserkers also believed that spirit animals (bear and wolf) could take over their bodies.
In regards to the last point, there are some similarities between the Berserkers and the Amerindians. Native Americans are well-known for ingesting psychoactive substances in order to communicate with the spiritual world. This brings to mind the concept of the Asgina Ageli (half-ghost). In my published essay, I detail few cases in which the consumption of a psychoactive drug is taking place (so buy Adoring Outlander: Essays on Fandom, Genre and the Female Audience and read it).
Here is another interesting link that I read a while back. It is about different accounts in which fairies kidnap a human being. The stories are Celtic, mainly Irish. Of interest is the story of “Connla and the Fairy Maiden”.
The Fairies’ Passage: Journey of the Fae
Connla resembles Jamie. They are both red-haired and tanned. Jamie is described as having a golden tan due to the fact that he works outdoors (on the fields).
. . .Oh, come with me, Connla of the Fiery Hair, ruddy as the dawn, with thy tawny skin . . .
In this tale, Connla seems to be charmed by a fairy. He leaves his world and his family in order to live with her. This brings to mind how Laoghaire describes that Jamie was charmed by Claire, the witch.