what is the best version of the poetic edda

Excerpt from The Poetic Edda: Translated From the Icelandic With an Introduction and Notes Younger Edda, has recently been made available to readers of English in' the admirable translation by Arthur G. Brodeur, published by the american-scandinavian F oun dation in 1916. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Notice here that the kenning is 'alf's-beam.' I remember the giants , Dimensions Thor comes eye-to-eye with his nemesis Jormungand, and the Aesir god Tyr has to face his jtun parents. These amazing texts from a 13th-century Icelandic manuscript are of huge historical, mythological and literary importance, containing the lion's share of information that survives today about the gods and heroes of pre-Christian Scandinavians, their unique vision of the beginning and end of the world, etc. Who gave me bread in the days gone by; Scan this QR code to download the app now. What's The Best Source On Odin and Freya? One of the finest mythological poems is the humorous Thrymskvida (Lay of Thrym), which tells how the giant Thrym steals the hammer of the thunder god Thor and demands the goddess Freyja in marriage for its return. Poor Gerd is promised quite a bleak future to put it mildly unless she agrees to the proposal. Skalds were also considered Norse bards. No o." I call to mind the kin of etins I feel like this shows a lack of research effort. The poems of the Old Norse collection known as the Poetic Edda respond to one of humankind's greatest urges - the search for origins.Subtle, complex and suggestive, yet disarmingly direct in style, these tales of gods, heroes and monsters, of love, war, folly and deceit, inhabit a world more primal in character than any other corpus of European mythology. While scholars have speculated on hypothetical authors, firm and accepted conclusions have never been reached. three separate It is possible that he was quoting a known poem, but it is also possible that Hvaml, or at least the strophe in question, is the younger derivative work. Instantly smitten by her beautiful looks, his servant Skirnir travels to convince her to marry Freyr. Also, what is the difference between the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda? Learn more about the program. What is the best version of the Poetic Edda? However, none are complete as the Codex Regius. The two literary devices used in Poetic Eddas are Caesure (provides a long pause) and Kennings (these are combination words). They were not only poets, but singers and performers as well. 1. Similarly, the apocalyptic descriptions of Vlusp have been taken as evidence that the poet who composed it had seen a volcanic eruption in Iceland but this is hardly certain. When Ymir lived long ago The Codex Regius of the Poetic Edda is the oldest and most comprehensive extant source of Norse mythology. She has experience teaching at the University level, and has taught courses ranging from science fiction and gothic horror to script development. vasa sandr n sr, The story and consequences following the sad death of Baldur sets in motion a series of events leading to Ragnarok. After more than a decade as a full-time Instructor in Scandinavian Studies at such institutions as the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of California-Berkeley, and the University of California-Los Angeles, became a full-time public educator in all things Old Norse in 2020. s forum mik The Poetic Edda is a collection of Old Norse poems primarily preserved in the Icelandic mediaeval manuscript Codex Regius. Cast in the form of a dialogue, it describes the visit of Gylfi, a king of the Swedes, to Asgard, the citadel of the gods. Gurnarkvia III (The Third Lay of Gudrn)13. fdda hfu; The Poetic Edda Quotes. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2023. Odin, in the guise of the ferryman, Harbard refuses Thor and a shouting match of threats and insults ensues. Among other accomplishments, he has built up a large YouTube following and served as an Old Norse language and runes consultant on major multimedia projects, including some of today's most popular films and video games. Alliteration is the repetition of sounds in nearby words. The roots of the Poetic Edda go way back to The Viking Age, roughly 800-1050 AD. Being an important part of the Old Norse myths, Baldrs Draumar tells of how Baldur is having troublesome dreams. The mythological cycle is introduced by Vlusp (Sibyls Prophecy), a sweeping cosmogonic myth that reviews in flashing scenes the history of the gods, men, and dwarfs, from the birth of the world to the death of the gods and the worlds destruction. The poem also describes how the world will be recreated after Ragnarok, and how a few of the gods will arise to rule the world. earth was nowhere nor the sky above, It is made up of 31 poems but is missing eight pages, so a few poems are lost as well. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Up to three translated titles are given below, taken from the translations of Bellows, Hollander, and Larrington with proper names in the normalized English forms found in John Lindow's Norse Mythology and in Andy Orchard's Cassell's Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. 'Royal Book'. It was early in ages when Ymir made his home, The gods decide to seek the advice of a vlva, who tells them that Baldrs death will come at the hands of his own brother, Hodr. I immediately became intrigued by his content. From early in the Viking Age, bards or poets, called skalds attached themselves to Scandinavian courts, and by the 11th century, these skalds were primarily Icelandic. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2022. you know what, in search of learning about the real Norse peoples there are so much rubbish. and the seed I have wanted to get this book for so long and now I finally have it. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. It was at the very beginning, Scan this QR code to download the app now. In the poem Harbardsljod, Thor is on his way home from one of his adventures in Jotunheim when he comes to a wide and deep sound. Since the early 19th century, it has had a powerful influence on Scandinavian literature, not only through its stories, but also through the visionary force and the dramatic quality of many of the poems. With their individual headnotes and complementary general introduction, they supply today's readers with most of what they need to know in order to understand and appreciate the beliefs, motivations, and values of the Vikings. Unable to add item to List. It was kept there for more than three hundred years until it was returned to Iceland in 1971. These poems deal more with a single poet, are more complex, use more poetic devices, and are composed in one sitting compared to Edda/Eddic poetry. there was neither sand nor sea, nor cooling waves; The kenning here is "Hoar-Beard," which is used to describe Odin (he has a rough beard). where Ymir dwelt, 14th century CE. Their talk turns into a protracted talk about what different things are called in the various realms. I expected this to be better than it was. In short, there is no one obvious candidate for best translation of the Poetic Edda into English. A distinctly mythological Eddic poem in its style, it tells of how Freyja meets a vlva named Hyndla. The Poetic Edda manuscript contains poetry about Old Norse mythology which is described in prose form in the Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson. The second half of the Poetic Edda includes heroic lays (narrative epics about heroes). The work is often assumed to have been written, or at least compiled, by the Icelandic scholar and historian Snorri Sturluson around the year 1220. The Poetic Edda (also known as The Elder Edda) is a collection of Old Norse poems. As mentioned above, Codex Regius is not the only version of a collection of the poems of the Poetic Edda. I remember nine worlds, I remember nine giant women, Just one time I would like Amazon to deliver a $50-dollar book without taking sandpaper to it first. rev2023.4.21.43403. Based on a 13 th-century Icelandic transcription of ancient oral legends, the Poetic Edda includes the creation myths of the Ash Tree and the Frost Giants, the adventures of Thor and Loki, and many other lesser-known Norse tales. a gulf beguiling, nor grass anywhere. In the 13th century, an Icelandic poet named Snorri Sturleson composed . 'Edda' is a woman's name and means great-grandmother. The Poetic Edda is the modern attribution for an unnamed collection of Old Norse poems. I'm not sure what best means in this context, but I'd like to start with something that is accessible and fun to read. However this is mostly one-sided as no one of the gods take the bait. Grpissp (Grpirs prophecy)3. In short, there is no one obvious candidate for best translation of the Poetic Edda into English. Crawford's sense of rhythm is perhaps his strongest suit here, contributing significantly to the readability of the verse. I tell of Giants from times forgotten. nor above it heaven: Edda is identical to a word that means "great-grandmother", which appeared in an Eddic poem, and an Old Norse word meaning "poetry". Here Thr speaks to the disguised Odin: The kenning here is 'Hoar-Beard,' which is also a substitution. Nine worlds I can reckon, nine roots of the Tree. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. What should I follow, if two altimeters show different altitudes? The Prose Edda, by comparison, provides more detailed and engaging narrative similar to, say, the Odyssey, although it is a collection of stories as opposed to a single epic, with the entertainment of the reader/listener as the primary intent. in those ancient days Was no sand or sea, no surging waves. The poem ends with a list of magic charms. This books is a great translation written in simple language aimed at modern reader. Other drivers of change would have been the variations of beliefs from one region to another, or through time. The poem mainly consists of Hyndla reciting names from ttarrs ancestry. The two best-known works about Norse mythology, the Eddas, are actually two very different types of books, or collections. The Poetic Edda comprises a treasure trove of mythic and spiritual verse holding an important place in Nordic culture, literature, and heritage. Tells the story of a Norse god calling himself Rig (this likely meant to be Odin, but it says Heimdall in the introduction to the poem) and his creation of the social classes of mankind. Here is an example from Volusp (The Prophecy of the Sibyl), with the caesura represented by a *, translated by Lee M. Hollander: both high and low * of Heimdall's children: thou wilt, Valfather, * that I well set forth, the fates of the world * which at first I recall.'. Great selection and excellent translation, Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023. forward and translation by the esteemed Jackson Crawford. This story tells of the time Thor and Tyr venture into Jotunheim hoping to get a large cauldron from Tyrs jtun father Hymir. 'twas a chaotic chasm, Commentary is minimal but useful, and the verse itself is presented in a visually clear style. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Poetry in the Viking Age was mostly Icelandic and contained poems about myth and legends, gods, and heroes. There isnt just one collection of poems, rather there are several similar, yet different collections of mostly the same poems. the famed tree of fate down under the earth. However, when we are trying to understand the age of any given poem, it is basically based on the words and grammar used. Drp Niflunga (Niflungs Killing)11. When Codex Regius was discovered, it seemed that the speculation had proved correct, but modern scholarly research has shown that the Prose Edda was likely written first and that the two were, at most, connected by a common source.[2]. harv error: no target: CITEREFFinnur1932 (, Eddica minora: Dichtungen eddischer Art aus den Fornaldarsgur und anderen Prosawerken, "Translating the Poetic Edda into English", "The Poetic Edda: Translated from the Icelandic with an Introduction and Notes", The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Poetic_Edda&oldid=1146808285. The girls create an army with the magical mill stones, the king is killed and in the end, the mill stones end up at the bottom of the sea. Two important poetic devices in the Poetic Edda are caesura (strong pause) and kennings, which are combination words. Skaldic poetry originated in Norway but was heavily developed by Icelandic poets, also called skalds. Overall, the poem explores the very Old Norse themes of fate, prophecy, and the power of dreams. Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. under the ground. A common scene in European historical texts from the modern era is a undeniable bias since a lot of time the texts aren't even written by Europeans or "them". These are, respectively, Scandinavian, German, and Gothic in origin. I would recommend reading the Byock translation of the Prose Edda first, then the Byock translation of The Volsunga Saga, then the Poetic Edda. chaos yawned, grass was there nowhere. Some twenty years later, in 1662 Brynjlfur Sveinsson decided to give it as a gift to Frederick III, king of Denmark and Norway. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. had reared me Thanks for contributing an answer to Mythology & Folklore Stack Exchange! Learn more at, Publisher For example, Eyvindr skldaspillir composed in the latter half of the 10th century, and he uses a couple of lines in his Hkonarml that are also found in Hvaml. There are two widely-available versions of the Poetic Edda. English translators are not consistent on the translations of the names of the Eddic poems or on how the Old Norse forms should be rendered in English. What is Wario dropping at the end of Super Mario Land 2 and why? The first edition does have a couple of typos in, but the latest print looks perfect. Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. A great fire in the middle of the room, creating dancing shadows bringing the gods and heroes to life. The AM 748 I 4to is an interesting manuscript for what it adds to the Codex Regius. The Poetic Edda is the contemporary name for an untitled series of anonymous Old Norse poems. nor heaven above, This has apparently been promised to him as some payment for something he has done. The Poetic Edda (also known as The Elder Edda) is a collection of Old Norse poems. Are there major differences between Continental Germanic and Scandinavian mythology? The poem is also thought to contain elements of magic and spell casting, and is believed to have been used as a source of guidance and instruction for Viking warriors. One poem that he mentions is lacking in the Poetic Edda as we know it: Heimdallargaldr, the Song or Incantation of Heimdallr; moreover, he makes seventeen citations from other poems which, although lost to us, evidently formed portions of the original Eddic collections, or belonged to the same traditional stock. The Great Lacuna A section where eight pages are missing in the Codex RegiusBrot af Sigurarkviu (Follows the missing section, last 22 stanzas of a poem about Sigurd)7. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Written in 1387 to 1394, it is by and large old sagas about Norse kings, with one interesting exemption. nine worlds, nine wood-witches, While this last point isnt entirely certain, the Prose Edda (Younger Edda) is commonly known as written by Snorri. Those not found in the Codex Regius are sometimes called the "eddic appendix". By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Some early translators relied on a Latin translation of the Edda, including Cottle. no grass, Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Corrections? nine wood-ogresses, Counting and finding real solutions of an equation. If you dont know Old Norse, I advise consulting a couple different translations to get a sense of the range of choices and interpretations possible. The poem is considered to be one of the most important sources of Norse mythology and is rich in Norse cosmological and cosmogonic concepts. The Poetic Edda uses more structured language compared to the Prose Edda. This version is smaller in size than my other copy, but contains more stories and just seems excellent all around, especially when paired with the audiobook and Crawford's Norse Mythology course, which I found on prime, and his countless YouTube videos. The diction is simple and clear. He has taught Norse mythology, the Old Norse language, and the history of the Scandinavian languages at UCLA and the University of California, Berkeley. The Poetic Edda is the modern name for an untitled collection of Old Norse anonymous narrative poems, which is distinct from the Prose Edda written by Snorri Sturluson. and our Seemingly thinking his wife had double-crossed him, Jrmunrekkr had his wife trampled to death by horses. Privacy Policy. nu mank hima, It has also been an inspiration for later innovations in poetic meter, particularly in Nordic languages, with its use of terse, stress-based metrical schemes that lack final rhymes, instead focusing on alliterative devices and strongly concentrated imagery. It is a textbook on poetics intended to instruct young poets in the difficult metres of the early Icelandic skalds (court poets) and to provide for a Christian age an understanding of the mythological subjects treated or alluded to in early poetry. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Is the Prose Edda like an abridged version of the Poetic Edda? Young were the years when Ymir made his settlement, Gurnarhvt (Gurns Cause)2. With mighty roots beaneath the mold. I remember nine worlds, I will most certainly be using this translation when I teach Norse mythology in the future and will recommend it to anyone looking for an approachable introduction to the subject. This page was last edited on 27 March 2023, at 02:16. Alliteration is an obvious feature of Old Norse poetry. The wonderful Ash, way under the ground He is currently Instructor of Nordic Studies and Coordinator of the Nordic Program, University of Colorado Boulder. Nine worlds I know, the nine abodes was nor sea nor land nor salty waves, Earth was not to be found I havent yet finished the entire book, but Ill say this: its a must have! The Eddic poems are "folk-poetry,"whatever that may be,only in the sense that some of them strongly reflect racial feelings and beliefs; they are anything but crude or primitive in workmanship, and they show that not only the poets themselves, but also many of their hearers, must have made a careful study of the art of poetry. those who nurtured me then; Those who fed me in former days: Imagine hearing these stories sitting on a bench inside a great hall, the hushed din of people all around you. Keeps a poetic flare and has extensive notes at the bottom. The Prose Edda is related to the Poetic Edda in that the Prose Edda cites various poems collected in the Poetic Edda as sources. The poems in the so-called Niflung Cycle are in great part the source material for the Saga of the Vlsungs. Nowhere was there earth nor heaven above. Before the re-discovery of the Poetic Edda in the 17th century, the Prose Edda was commonly known as just the Edda. in editing posts. Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2021. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Gurnarkvia I (First Lay of Gurn)8. Helgi Hundingsbane is a hero in Norse sagas and appears in two poems in the Poetic Edda: Helgakvia Hundingsbana I and Helgakvia Hundingsbana II. The poems tell the story of Helgi and his wife Sigrn who is a valkyrie. We are not quite sure where the word edda comes from or what exactly it means. The poems reveal a lot about the attitudes and beliefs of the pre Christian Nordic people. Learn about Poetic Edda of Iceland. What is the difference between the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda? The Eddic poems are composed in alliterative verse. Scholars have attempted to localize individual poems by studying the geography, flora, and fauna to which they refer. The definition of "Edda" is attributed to Old Norse poems that are both anonymous and untitled. Its formalized language reflects the wording of earlier centuries, so there was little room for retelling stories. In German Baby Names the meaning of the name Edda is: Pleasant. I remember nine Worlds, nine Sibyls, There are a few differences between the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, as listed below: One of the most notable literary devices that can be seen in a Poetic Edda is the kenning. Freyja is on her boar Hildisvni and Hyndla is on a wolf. I nine worlds remember, For example, there are no wolves in Iceland, but we can be sure that Icelandic poets were familiar with the species. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. I wish I'd have bought the hardback copy. Brynjlfur attributed the manuscript to Smundr the Learned, a larger-than-life 12th century Icelandic priest. Flateyjarbk (Book of Flatey flat island) is the largest of the medieval Icelandic manuscripts with a whopping 225 pages. This is a great read. Poems similar to those found in the Codex Regius are also included in many editions of the Poetic Edda. Lee M Hollander's Poetic Edda is superb. It may be easiest to link edda with a root word for poetics, the study of poetry. The story begins with the dwarf Alvis coming home to Thor, asking for the hand of his daughter Thrud in marriage. gap vas ginnunga, There it grinds still, creating all the salt in the oceans. Ymir struck camp when time began. Prose Edda The Prose Edda, also known as the Younger Edda, Snorri's Edda or simply Edda, is an Old Norse work of literature written in Iceland in the early 13th century. Sea nor cool waves nor sand there were; The Prose Edda, also known as the "Younger Edda", is believed to have been written and compiled by Icelandic scholar and historian, Snorri Sturluson. The girls are brought to a magic mill stone to grind out wealth for the king and sing for his household. when Ymir made his dwelling: Create an account to start this course today. Leslie holds a PhD in English and a M.A. Despite the gods attempts to prevent this, Hodr, misguided by Loki, eventually kills Baldr with a mistletoe spear. Sigrdrfuml (Sigrdrfa poem)6. While it is short with only six poems, it is the only one which includes Baldrs Draumar. The poem is notable for its complex and nuanced portrayal of Vlund as both a skilled craftsman and a (very) vengeful hero. no earth, Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. The lines are commonly divided into two vsuhelmings (phrases) connected by a caesura (strong pause). The first poem of the collection is the Vlusp, meaning the prophecy of the vlva. A man is happy if he finds praise and friendship within himself. It also includes references to many of the prominent Norse gods, such as Odin, Thor, and Freyja, and their role in the events described in the poem. , Paperback In this poem, Odin shares his wisdom and advice, including moral codes, and how to live a good life. nor was Earth found ever, nor Heaven on high, there was Yawning of Deeps and nowhere grass: I remember yet the giants of yore, At the time, versions of the Prose Edda were known in Iceland, but scholars speculated that there once was another Edda, an Elder Edda, which contained the pagan poems that Snorri quotes in his Prose Edda. But a yawning gap, and grass nowhere. Bishop Brynjlfur sent the manuscript as a present to the Danish king, hence the Latin name Codex Regius, lit. Sturluson's Edda is an interesting book because it is like a technical manual in story form. The few demonstrably historical characters mentioned in the poems, such as Attila, provide a terminus post quem of sorts. Covering many topics, quite a few of his words of wisdom would not be advisable to take literally today. The stories of the Norse gods and heroes were passed down orally in long, traditional poems during the Viking Age. Please try again. , ISBN-13 Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. While the geography is disputed, the Helgu lays are Scandinavian in origins. The Prose Edda was essentially a way to make the . As far as historicity can be ascertained, Attila, Jrmunrekkr, and Brynhildr actually existed, taking Brynhildr to be partly based on Brunhilda of Austrasia, but the chronology has been reversed in the poems. Grttasngr is by some considered part of the Poetic Edda. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 4, 2018. The Prose Edda, by contrast, is attributed to Snorri Sturluson, although he may have simply compiled it, as opposed to having been the author. [1] Many of the poems are introduced by prose summaries. 391 likes, 3 comments - World History Encyclopedia (@whencyclopedia) on Instagram: "Vidar is a figure in Norse mythology, described as the silent god and almost as . What is the best version of the Poetic Edda? After the mythological poems, the Codex Regius continues with heroic lays about mortal heroes, examples of Germanic heroic legend. jr fansk va The Poetic Edda poems largely have unknown origins, the Prose Edda however was likely, or mostly written by Snorri Sturluson. Freyr is sitting in Hlidskjalf one day when he sees Gerd deep in Jotunheim. nine trees, nor was earth to be seen nor heaven above. nor sand nor sea, Mythology & Folklore Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for enthusiasts and scholars of mythology and folklore. Centuries later, Scandinavian people became interested in their past, and Danish king Frederic III encouraged Bishop Brynjlfur Sveinsson to gather all the old manuscripts he could find. An interpolation in the Hyndluljd poem, the Short Vlusp is seen as an inferior version, as well as being shorter, than the traditional Vlusp. I, born of giants, remember very early The version he knew, however, seems different, indicating that the poems of the Edda were very popular among the Vikings. The Poetic Edda uses more structured language compared to the Prose Edda. This poem tells the story of the god Baldrs dreams and his eventual death. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Among these the most notable are known as AM 748 I 4to, Flateyjarbk and the Edda Oblongata. The alf's-beam shineth * all these long days. From a personal standpoint, I feel that the Poetic Edda is similar to Classical work such as the Homeric Hymns which are more formal and have a religious context. What's the cheapest way to buy out a sibling's share of our parents house if I have no cash and want to pay less than the appraised value? All rights reserved. Tolkien, you may have wondered how the Old Norse legends got passed down to us. As a Norwegian, although quite foreign, the old texts are still understandable, even more so with a bit of practice. Other Eddic-like poems not usually published in the Poetic Edda are sometimes called Eddica minora and were compiled by Andreas Heusler and Wilhelm Ranisch in their 1903 book titled Eddica minora: Dichtungen eddischer Art aus den Fornaldarsgur und anderen Prosawerken.[4].

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