Introduction 1
The Poetic Edda/The Elder Edda
This summary of the Poetic Edda is based on the second revised edition of The Poetic Edda,
translated by Carolyne Larrington and published by Oxford World’s Classics in 2014.
Note on this Summary
It is extremely difficult to summarise poems, even translated ones. Since these are narrative poems,
I have simply summarised the story told by the text, ignoring the poetic aspect. If you are reading
this summary because you need to know the myths and legends The Poetic Edda tells, you can
continue reading, If you are looking for a more poetic, literary or linguistic analysis, this summary is
not the one for you. I have, however, incorporated the explanatory notes provided b Carolyne
Larrington in this summary, meaning that there are some comments on unclear syntax etc.
Please also note that this is a summary of a translation, meaning that it is inevitable that some
details are lost.
I know this is a long summary, but keep in mind the original book I summarised is 347 pages long.
Note on the Poems 1
Most of these poems were recorded in the 13th century, but it is suspected many of the mythological
and heroic poems pre-date the conversion of Scandinavia to Christianity in the late 10th century. The
poems cannot be sorted in chronological order, nor securely linked to either Iceland or Norway,
although some theories on the matter exist.2 The poems are grouped and called ‘edda’ after Snorri
Sturluson (1179-241), author of the Prose Edda, used the word ‘edda’ in his treatise on Norse poetry.
Where the world comes from is unclear, but it has been used since. Even though the Codex Regius,
the manuscript containing these poems, was compiled after Sturluson’s Prose Edda, when the Codex
was found in the 1660s, it was believed to be the lost manuscript on which Sturluson based his text.
The Poetic Edda, therefore, is also known as The Elder Edda, whilst the Prose Edda, though older, is
also known as The Younger Edda. Any subsequent time I refer to the Edda, I mean The Poetic Edda.
Not all of the Codex Regius has been preserved.
The heroic poems of the Edda must have originally consisted of several different cycles about the
individual heroes, but before the Codex Regius was compiled much of the heroic poetry was loosely
joined in the story of the Volsungs, Volsunga Saga. In this saga and the codex, Helgi remains mostly
on the side-lines of the Volsung clan, only getting involved when he marries Sigrun. Following Helgi’s
poems is the story of Sigurd, his adventures, betrothal to Brynhild, marriage to Gudrun and the
problems this causes. Through trickery, Brynhild marries Gunnar3, who she later successfully
convinces to kill Sigurd, before committing suicide. Gudrun, widowed after Sigrun’s death, is forced
to marry Atli4, Brynhild’s brother. Atli kills Gudrun’s brothers, after which Gudrun kills Atli and her
sons. Gunnar starts an affair with Oddrun after Brynhild’s death. Further poems related to this family
include Svanhild, Gudrun and Sigurd’s daughter.
The final 7 poems in this summary are not preserved in the Codex Regius, but other manuscripts.
General TW: Rape, violence, murder, revenge, incest, cursing.
1
Sourced from parts of the Introduction.
2
Most notably, the description of Ragnarok in Seeress’ Prophecy is reminiscent of a volcano eruption and
could, therefore, be linked to Iceland.
3
Gunnar, king of the Burgundians
4
Atilla the Hun
,Table of Contents 2
Table of Contents
Contents
The Poetic Edda ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Seeress’ Prophecy (Voluspa) ............................................................................................................... 4
Sayings of the High One (Havamal)..................................................................................................... 5
Vafthrudnir’s Sayings (Vafthrudnismal) .............................................................................................. 7
Grimnir’s Sayings (Grimismal) ........................................................................................................... 10
Skirnir’s Journey ................................................................................................................................ 12
Harbard’s Song (Harbardzljod).......................................................................................................... 14
Hymir’s Poem (Hymiskvida) .............................................................................................................. 16
Loki’s Quarrel (Lokasenna)................................................................................................................ 17
Thrym’s Poem (Thrymskvida) ........................................................................................................... 20
The Poem of Volund (Volundarkvida) ............................................................................................... 21
All-wise’s Sayings (Alvissmal) ............................................................................................................ 22
The First Poem of Helgi Hundingsbani .............................................................................................. 24
The Poem of Helgi Hiorvardsson (Helgakvida Hiorvardssonar) ........................................................ 26
A Second Poem of Helgi Hundingsbani ............................................................................................. 28
The Death of Sinfiotli ........................................................................................................................ 30
Gripir’s Prophecy (Gripisspa) ............................................................................................................ 31
The Lay of Regin (Reginsmal) ............................................................................................................ 32
The Lay of Fafnir (Fafnismal) ............................................................................................................. 35
The Lay of Sigrdrifa (Sigrdrifumal) .................................................................................................... 38
Fragment of a Poem about Sigurd .................................................................................................... 40
The First Poem of Gudrun (Gudrunarkvida I).................................................................................... 41
A Short Poem about Sigurd (Sigurdarkvida in skamma) ................................................................... 42
Brynhild’s Ride to Hell ....................................................................................................................... 43
The Death of the Niflungs ................................................................................................................. 44
The Second Poem of Gudrun (Gudrunarkvida II) .............................................................................. 45
The Third Poem of Gudrun (Gudrunarkvida III) ................................................................................ 46
Oddrun’s Lament .............................................................................................................................. 47
The Poem of Atli (Atlakvida) ............................................................................................................. 48
The Greenlandic Lay of Atli (Atlamal in grœnlenzco) ....................................................................... 49
The Whetting of Gudrun (Gudrunarhvot) ......................................................................................... 51
The Lay of Hamdir (Hamdismal)........................................................................................................ 52
Baldr’s Dreams (Baldrs Draumar) ..................................................................................................... 53
,Table of Contents 3
The List of Rig (Rigsthula) .................................................................................................................. 54
The Song of Hyndla (with The Short Prophecy of the Seeress – Voluspa in skamma) (Hyndluliod) 55
The Song of Grotti (Grottasongr) ...................................................................................................... 56
Groa’s Chant (Svipdagsmal) .............................................................................................................. 57
The Sayings of Fiolsvinn (Svipdagsmal) ............................................................................................. 58
The Waking of Angantyr ................................................................................................................... 60
Appendix: The Seeress’s Prophecy (Hauksbók Text) ........................................................................ 62
Appendix: Family Trees ......................................................................................................................... 63
,The Poetic Edda Seeress’ Prophecy 4
The Poetic Edda
Seeress’ Prophecy (Voluspa)
About
Odin is interrogating a seeress who can remember before the beginning of the world and can look as
far ahead as after Ragnarok. The poem is dated to the late 10th century and exists in two different
versions: the Codex Regius and the Hauksbók.
Summary
The Seeress remembers 9 giant women. When Ymir settled the world did not exist yet. The sun and
moon and stars did not yet know their hall and paths. All the Powers went to the thrones of fate,
giving names to night and afternoon and evening. The Ӕsir built temples and forges and just had a
chill time till three ogre-girls came. The gods decided to make dwarves out of Brimir’s5 blood and
from Blain’s libs, and thus the dwarves were created. Three gods saw Ash and Embla6 and gave them
breath, spirit and blood.
Yggdrasill is a huge ash tree standing over Urd’s well, where three girls named Urd, Verdandi and
Skuld decide the laws and the fates of men. The seeress remembers the first war, the fact that she
was burned 3 times by Odin, and that she was reborn 3 times.
She remembers that Freyia is promised to a giant, but Thor breaks that promise apart.7 She knows
Heimdall forfeited his ear to Mimir in exchange for knowledge, Odin exchanged his eye. She sees
Valkyries, Baldr being killed by the mistletoe through Hod’s shot, resulting in the birth of Vali,
begotten solely to enact revenge. She sees Loki captive under the Cauldron-grove, with his wife
Sigyn. She sees poisonous rivers, halls made of snakes, the corpses of the dead…
She sees a woman giving birth to Fenrir’s offspring, one of these will eat the moon. She sees that
Garm8 will break free from his fetters, leading to the Doom of the Gods. Brother will fight brother,
kinsmen-bonds will be broken, Heimdall will blow his horn, Odin will speak with Mim’s head,
Yggdrasill will shudder. The ship Naglfar9 will break free, steered by Loki. Odin will die, and so will
Freyr in a fight with Surt.10 Vidar will kill Loki’s son the wolf, Thor will fight the Midgard serpent, the
sun will turn black, the stars will vanish, but eventually the fields will grow and Baldr will return. Aldr
and Hod will settle and the dragon Nidhog will fly over the plain, carrying corpses.
5
Probably Ymir
6
Two pieces of driftwood turned into humans
7
Refers to the story of the giant building a wall in exchange for the Sun, the Moon & Freyia
8
Possibly originally Fenrir.
9
Made from the unclipped toenails of the dead
10
A fire giant
,The Poetic Edda Sayings of the High One 5
Sayings of the High One (Havamal)
About
Most of this poem consists of instructions for social behaviour, common sense and folly, moderation
and friendship, etc. Sometimes, the poet speaks in their own voice, often merging with Odin. The
wisdom stanzas are organised by themes, connections made by juxtapositions or contrasts.
Summary
11
Always have a place to sit, warmth from the fire, flood and clothing ready for somebody who has
just come in. Have water, a towel, and a warm welcome for visitors. You need to have wits if you
travel, you’ll be the laughingstock if you sit amongst the wise but know nothing. Don’t brag about
your intelligence, keep quiet when you’re eating at somebody’s place, keep praise and wit to
yourself, common sense is worth more than riches or food. Ale really isn’t good for you, it steals
your mind. But! At least you get your mind back afterwards!
A prince’s son has to be silent and thoughtful, but bold in fighting. Every man should be cheerful and
merry. Every person will die, you will gain insight/wit through travelling, drink in moderation,
nobody will blame you for going to bed early. Don’t be greedy, don’t eat too much,12 don’t make fun
of others,13 don’t lie awake worrying about everything,14 don’t assume that everyone who laughs
with you is a friend, if you don’t speak that much people won’t find out you’re an idiot and know
how to ask questions and how to answer them. If you talk too much, you’ll get into trouble, and
don’t interfere when two guests are insulting each other. There will always be strife amongst men.
Even if they live nearby, it’s a great detour to a bad friend’s house. The route to a good friend is
straight, even if he lives far away. Don’t stay somewhere as a guest for too long, and even a small
home is better than begging, since ‘everyone’s someone at home’. Always be close to a weapon
when you’re outside, generous people can accept what is given, don’t expect that the people you
love will get your piled-up property.15
Friends should give each other weapons and gifts, and gifts should be repaid with gifts, as should
laughter with laughter, that results in a strong friendship.16 However, repay lies with deception.
Don’t befriend the friend of your enemy. Go visit the friends you really trust more often. Speak
11
No really, this is the first advice. Always check for enemies before entering a place.
12
Even cattle know when they’ve eaten enough
13
You aren’t free of faults yourself
14
Yeah, I’ll make sure to tell my anxiety that, I’m sure it’ll listen.
15
It can be taken by those you hate.
16
This dude’s love languages are gift giving and quality time.
,The Poetic Edda Sayings of the High One 6
positive about the people you might not trust, but be on your guard. Still laugh along with them, and
repay their gifts.
Generous and brave men live the best life. You cannot live without love, bad friends might be SUPER
DUPER BEST FRIENDS for like, 5 days, but after that the friendship is over. You don’t need to give big
gifts, you can buy praise with little, like a shared bread and some drink.
A man ought to be averagely wise, not too wise. Wise men often aren’t cheerful. You become clever
by talking with others. If you intend to murder or steal, you need to get up early. If you have few
workers, you need to get up early. Always know how much wood can get you through the year. It’s
okay if you’re not very well dressed or have a good horse if you ride to the Assembly, as long as
you’re washed and fed.
If you are wise in counsel, use that power in moderation. Fire and sunlight are good for your health.
Nobody is completely wretched; everyone has some sort of blessing in their life. It’s better to be
alive than dead. You don’t have to fear the night if you’re well prepared, autumn is a season of
change, stupid people don’t realise they are stupid, don’t be fooled by who is rich and who isn’t.17
Everything will die, but reputation lives on. Wealth can easily disappear. Praise things when they are
over, there is a time for everything, use things for their intended purpose. Don’t trust what a woman
says. Weather rules the fields. The love of women with false minds is dangerous. Men’s hearts are
fickle towards women. He who flatters gets what he wants, don’t judge others for being in love.
Desire turns the wisest men into fools.
Be cheerful and merry with your guest, speak about good things. Never entice another’s wife as a
close confidant, make sure you have enough food when you travel, never let a wicked man know
your misfortunes, learn helpful charms, don’t exchange words with a fool, a person who only says
pleasant things is no true friend.18 Don’t quarrel with an inferior, if you recognise evil call it out and
don’t give truce to your enemies. Be wary of ale and another man’s wife. Never scorn or mock a
guest or wanderer, don’t laugh at an old sage, treat your guests well. Runes are meaningful letters.
Odin knows 18 spells: (1) help in lawsuits, sorrows and anxieties, (2) a spell for those who want to
live as physicians, (3) blunting edges of enemies’ weapons (4) unfastening chains, (5) stopping
arrows, (6) ‘I’m rubber, you are glue, whatever you harm me will bounce off me and stick to you’, (7)
stopping flames, (8) bring peace, (9) quiet wind and waves, (10) confuse witches, (11) safety in
battle, (12) resurrecting hanged dead men, (13) protection in battle,19 (14) gathers all the gods, (15)
power for the Ӕsir and advancement for the elves,20 (16) turns the thought of a white-armed woman
to change her mind, (17) makes that no women will want to shun him, (18) Odin will never tell this
one.
Luck comes to those who listened!
17
As in, don’t assume someone is wise just because they are rich.
18
Because a real friend can share all their thoughts with you.
19
A charm that means you cannot be hurt until swords don’t sink
20
Originally chanted by the dwarf Thiodrerir
, The Poetic Edda Vafthrudnir’s Sayings 7
Vafthrudnir’s Sayings (Vafthrudnismal)
About
Odin sets off, against his wife’s advice, as a wanderer, to test his wisdom against the giant
Vafthrudnir. This poem is the only mention of this giant. Vafthrudnir’s Sayings is a wisdom contest,
where two protagonists ask each other questions or riddles until one fails to answer. The trick
question used by Odin in this poem is also used by him in Heidreks Saga. Vafthrudnir focusses more
on mythological facts and the ancientness and authority of the giants, whilst Odin asks about the
past, present, future and the final triumph of gods and humanity. The defeat of Vafthrudnir in this
poem mirrors the final defeat in the time of the giant race.
It could be that Odin is using this wisdom contest to learn about his fate.
Summary
leaving
Odin: Frigg, babe, honey, sweetheart, please let me visit Vafthrudnir
Frigg: No, that’s dangerous.
Odin: Pleeeaassee??? I’ll be safe!
Frigg: Fine. Ugh.
Odin: Yay!
Odin travels to Vafthrudnir and enters his hall.
meeting
Odin: Are you really so wise as everyone says?
Vafthrudnir: Excuse me who are you to address me so rudely?
Odin: My name is Gagnrad, I have travelled a long journey and am hoping for your hospitality.
Vafthrudnir: Take a seat and let’s test our wisdom.
Odin: Ok.
vafthrudnir questions odin
Vafthrudnir: What horse pulls the day forward?
Odin: Shining-mane
Vafthrudnir: What horse pulls the night forward?
Odin: Frost-mane
Vafthrudnir: What river separates the land of the giants from the land of the gods?
Odin: Ifing.
Vafthrudnir: What is the name of the plain where Surt and the gods will battle?
Odin: Vigrid.
Vafthrudnir: Ah, you're not stupid.
odin questions vafthrudnir
Odin: Well, wise-guy, where did the sky come from?21
Vafthrudnir: From Ymir’s flesh me the earth, from his bones the mountains, the sky from his skull
and the sea from his blood.
Odin: Where did the moon and the sun come from?
Vafthrudnir: The father of the sun and moon is Mundilfaeri.
21
Please know that, with his questions, Odin adds some variant of ‘if you are so wise’. I didn’t add it to the rest
of his questions since then it just gets too repetitive, but he does it for the first 9 questions, after which he
moves on to ‘because you know’ and ‘truly all-wise giant’.
