Within the mythic Icelandic tale, The Saga of the People of Laxardal, there is mention of the existence of a supernatural presence overlaying our own natural world. This presence can be felt from beyond the grave or within one’s dreams, and there always remains the mystifying nature of humans themselves—Melkorka is one such character who holds more than meets the eye. Bought as a slave girl by Hoskuld, Melkorka would not speak unless it was to their child Olaf who was born out of wedlock. Eventually, it is revealed that she is the youngest daughter of the King of Ireland, thus making Olaf of royal lineage. By virtue of his royal blood, Olaf is able to travel to Ireland when he is grown and present himself to the King, garnering much respect and wealth during his time abroad. He returns to Iceland a rich and powerful man despite growing up as the bastard son of a slave. In many ways, Olaf’s journey to Ireland can be seen as a sort of pilgrimage; a transformative journey to a sacred place. Not to mention, most royalty is believed to hold a divine right to rule, therefore adding a level of religious prestige to Olaf’s character. 

By choosing to embrace his heritage, Olaf embraces divinity itself. Likewise, Athanasius of Alexandra has much to say on the topic: On the Incarnation. Athanasius views Jesus Christ simultaneously as God and the son of God all at once. Of his human body, God was able to enter the physical world and turn humanity from corruptible things that have long since been the cause of our own corruption in death—which was only made possible by his spiritual joining to the physical realm. In a similar sense, Olaf was only able to unlock a higher state of being once he made peace with his physical reality.