Legality, while often intertwined with morality, should not be confused with it. In the Hrafnkel Saga, Hrafnkel is a leader who vows to kill anyone who rides his beloved Freyfaxi. He generously provides Einar with a job, asking only that he not ride Freyfaxi. Einar broke this oral oath and was subsequently killed. While the murder seems extreme as Einar was simply trying to do his job better, an oath was made and not following through with consequences would bring tragedy to everyone. Although Hrafnkel was wrongly accused of murder in a trial in which he was physically prevented from attending, it is obvious that Hrafnkel should be vindicated due to Einar's oral consent, Hrafnkel's duties as leader, Freyfaxi's knowing abuse by part of Einar and Hrafnkel's compensation. plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Einar's oral consent to Hrafnkel's conditions demonstrates his agreement to the consequences of violating the oral contract, clearly indicating Hrafnkel's innocence. To begin with, Einar was lucky enough to even find a decent job because at the time «all the best jobs [had] been taken by others (39). With such a magnanimous offer, Hrafnkel imposed only one condition; to never ride his beloved Freyfaxi "however urgent the necessity may [seem], for [he has] sworn to kill whoever rides him" (39-40). Einar agreed, stating that he "would never be so wicked as to ride the one horse that was forbidden to him, especially since there were many other horses at his disposal" (40). Einar evidently gave oral consent. Because Iceland was illiterate, oral contracts were legally binding at the time of the incident. Therefore, from an exclusively legal point of view, Hrafnkel is undoubtedly innocent. Furthermore, Hrafnkel even goes so far as to tell Einar to do what he says “because it is an old saying that 'warning drives away guilt'” (40). Furthermore, when confronted about his actions, “Einar said he could not deny it” (42). Hrafnkel reinforced the severity of that single condition and Einar admitted his exploits, proving that Einar knew he was wrong. Consequently, Hrafnkel is not at fault. As leader, Hrafnkel was bound by his pact with the god Frey and therefore acted only to fulfill his responsibilities. Hrafnkel “built a great temple and held great sacrifices to the gods” (36) when he first settled in Adalbol. As both priest and leader, Hrafnkel worshiped Frey above all other gods and was even “given the nickname of Priest of Frey” (37). He "gave his patron Frey one half of [his horse and] loved this horse so passionately that he solemnly swore to kill anyone who rode the stallion without his permission" (38). It is a shame that Hrafnkel would have “forgiven this one offense if [he had] not taken such a great oath (42). It is important to note that if Hrafnkel had not followed the oath he made to the god Frey, there would have been disastrous consequences not only for himself, but for all the people he serves. Since the terrain and environment are already hostile, it is vital that Hrafnkel puts his people first. The life of his people was naturally considered more urgent than that of a single servant. Hrafnkel was tied to his actions as Einar decided his fate to kill him, showing that Hrafnkel's actions were simply an unintended effect of Einar's actions to protect his people; therefore he is also morally justified for his actions since he not only punished a crime, but also protected his people. More.