In this chapter I continue and develop some of theissues raised in the previous chapter, in which Idealt with the question of Nítíða saga’s hero and thecharacterization of Livorius, Nítíða, and her mainrivals. While the relationships between Nítíða andthe characters already discussed serve to reinforceNítíða’s powerful role as the saga’s hero, the samecan be demonstrated of the characterization of theremaining figures in the saga, particularly theother female characters. In this chapter I will showhow audience sympathy for Nítíða is encouragedthrough all of her relationships and interactionswith other women (and with her smith Ypolitus), andhow these minor characters all function to drawattention back to Nítíða, regardless of whether ornot Nítíða herself plays a part in some of theepisodes. I begin by analysing the characterizationof two important female figures, Sýjalín of Indiaand Listalín of Constantinople – the sisters ofNítíða’s suitors Livorius and Ingi, respectively –and their relationships with both their brothers andwith Nítíða. Particular attention will be given tothe intimate relationship between Nítíða and Sýjalínfor the unique light it may shed on femalehomoeroticism in medieval Icelandic literature. Iwill then consider the characterization of the twoservant figures at Nítíða’s court, the bondwomanÍversa and the smith Ypolitus. I will conclude bydiscussing the brief but important roles played byEgidía of Apulia (Nítíða’s foster mother) andAlduria of Småland (Livorius’s aunt). I will alsobring into consideration specific differences in thepresentation of these characters in somepost-Reformation versions of Nítíða saga, including the generaltrends and overall differences in characterizationevident in these paper manuscripts.

Sýjalín of India, the sister of Livorius, and Nítíða’seventual sister-in-law, is an important source ofsupport for Nítíða, even if her presence in theromance is small. Because of her inability to seethrough her brother’s disguise as Prince Eskilvarðurwhen he visits her and Nítíða in Paris, and becauseshe does not have a readily identifiable influenceover the actions of other characters, unlikeListalín of Constantinople (as I discuss below),Sýjalín may at first seem unimportant in the grandscheme of the romance.