The Prose Edda
Page 19
Skuld (Skuld; Obligation, Necessity or Future), norn: 15; 36, rides with the valkyries Gunn and Rota to choose the slain
Sleipnir (Sleipnir; Fast Traveller), Odin’s horse: 15; 41, in a verse; 42, his birth; 49, Hermod rides him during his trip to Hel; S3
Slid (Slíðr; Dangerous, Fearsome), river flowing from Hvergelmir: 4
Slothful (Ganglöt), Hel’s maidservant: 34
Slungnir (Slungnir), King Adils’ horse: S9
Snotra (Snotra; Wise or Courtly [Snotr]), goddess: 35
Soeg (Sœgr or Sægr), pail carried by Bil and Hjuki: 11
Sokkvabekk (Søkkvabekkr; Sunken Bank or Bench), Saga’s home: 35
Sol (Sól). See Sun
Son (Són), one of the vats holding the mead of poetry: S2
Sorli (Sörli), son of Gudrun and Jonak, brother of Hamdir and Erp: S7
South (Suðri), dwarf holding up a corner of the sky: 8; 14
Summer (Sumarr): 19
Sun (Sól), daughter of Mundilfari: 8, in a verse; 11, the gods make her drive the chariot of the sun; 12, is pursued by the wolf Skoll; 35 Surt (Surtr; Black One), Muspell’s guardian, possibly a fire giant or demon: 4; 17; 51, will lead the sons of Muspell at Ragnarok; 53
Suttung (Suttungr), giant: S2, obtains the mead of poetry as compensation for the death of his parents and hides it
Svaðilfari (Svaðilfari or Svaðilfœri), master builder’s horse and father of Sleipnir: 42
Svafnir (Sváfnir; Put to Sleep/Kill), name of Odin: 2
Svafnir (Sváfnir), serpent gnawing at the roots of Yggdrasil: 16
Svanhild (Svanhildr), Sigurd’s daughter: S7, is killed by Jormunrek
Svarin’s Burial Mound (Svarinshaugr): 14
Svartalfaheim (Svartálfaheimr). See World of the Dark Elves
Svarthofdi (Svarthðfdi; Dark Head), ancestor of sorcerers: 5, in a verse
Svasud (Svásuðr; Delightful), Summer’s father: 19
Svebdegg or Svipdag (Svebdegg or Svipdagr), son of Sigar: P4
Sviagris. See Swedes’ Pig
Sviðar (Sviðarr or Svidurr; Spear God?): 3, one of the twelve names of Odin; 20, Svidur
Sviðrir (Sviðrir; Spear God?): 3, one of the twelve names of Odin; 20
Svipal (Svipall; Changing or Shifting One), name of Odin: 20
Svipdag (Svipdagr), one of Hrolf Kraki’s berserkers: S9; P4. See Svebdegg
Svol (Svöl; Cool), river flowing from Hvergelmir: 4; 39
Sweden (Svípjóð): 1;S8;P5, Odin reaches it, the language of the men of Asia is brought to Sweden
Swedes’ Pig or Sviagris (Svíagríss): S9
Sylg (Sylgr; Swallower), river flowing from Hvergelmir: 4
Syn (Syn; Refusal), goddess: 35
Syr (Sýr; Sow), one of Freyja’s names: 35
Tanngniost (Tanngnióstr; Tooth Gnasher), one of the goats that pulls Thor’s chariot: 21
Tanngrisnir (Tanngrisnir; Snarl Tooth), one of the goats that pulls Thor’s chariot: 21
Thekk (Pekkr; Clever? Pleasant?), name of Odin: 20
Thekk (Pekkr), dwarf: 14
Third (Pridi), one of the Æsir who speaks with Gylfi: 2; 3, talks of man’s creation and good and evil men; 4, describes Muspell; 5, tells of Ymir’s origins; 8, describes the creation of the sky; 20, gives the names of Odin; 44, is said to give the true account of Thor’s journey to Giant Land; 52, describes the world after Ragnarok
Thjalfi (Pjálfi), son of a farmer: 44, becomes Thor’s bondservant; 45, carries Thor’s knapsack; 46, his running contest with Hugi; 47; S3
Thjazi (Pjazi), giant, Skadi’s father: 23, in a verse; S1, forces Loki to abduct Idunn and is killed by the Æsir, his daughter seeks vengeance
Thjod (Pjóð), name perhaps corresponding to the Danish province of Thy in northern Jutland: S7
Thjodnuma (Pjóðnuma; People Grabber), a river: 39
Thjodolf of Hvin (Pjóðólfr inn hvinverski), skald: 2, a verse from him regarding Valhalla; S3
Thokk (Pökk; Thanks or Gratitude), giantess, Loki: 49, refuses to weep for Baldr
Tholl (Pöll), a river: 39
Thor (Pórr also ásapórr [Thor of the Æsir] and ökupórr [Oku-Thor, Thor the Charioteer or Thor the Driver]): 9, is born from Odin and Earth; 15, his journey to the gods’ court of justice; 21, is described; 29, strength compared to Vidar; 31; 42, slays the master builder; 44, acquires his bondservants Roskva and Thjalfi; 45, encounters Skrymir; 46, goes through the tests put to him by Utgarda-Loki; 47, hears the truth of Utgarda-Loki’s deceptions; 48, goes fishing for the Midgard Serpent with the giant Hymir; 49, threatens the giantess Hyrrokkin, blesses Baldr’s funeral pyre, kicks dwarf in; 50, catches Loki, who has turned himself into a salmon; 51, will fight with the Midgard Serpent at Ragnarok; in verse, the son of Earth or Hlodyn; 53; 55, called Ector; S1;S3, battles with Hrungnir; S4, his encounter with Geirrod and his family; S5, receives Mjollnir from the dwarves; P3, son of Munon or Mennon and Troan, kills Loricus and his wife
Thorin (Porinn; Daring or Bold One), dwarf: 14
Thracia (Thracia; Thrace): P3, Tror/Thor is brought up there. See Thrudheim
Thrid (Priði), one of the names of Odin: 20. See Third
Throin (Próinn), dwarf: 14
Thror (Prór), dwarf: 14
Thror (Prór), name of Odin: 20
Thrud (Prúðr; Powerful), valkyrie: 36, in a verse
Thrudheim (Prúðheimr), a name for Thracia: P3
Thrudvangar (Prúðvangar; Plains or Place of Strength), Thor’s domain: 21; 47; S3
Thrymheim (Prymheimr; Thunder or Noisy Home), Thjazi’s dwelling: 23;S1, Thjazi takes Idunn there
Thund (Punðr; Roaring One or Rumbler), name of Odin: 20
Thunn (Punðr), name of Odin: 20
Thviti (Pviti), rock anchoring the fetter that holds Fenrir: 34
Thyn (Pyn; Frothing), a river: 39
Troan (Troan), daughter of Priam, married to king Mennon: P3
Tror (Tror), a name for Thor, son of Mennon and Troan: P3. See Thor
Troy (Troja): 9, a name for Asgard; 55; P3, is built in what is now known as Turkey; P5, Sweden is governed after the manner of Troy
Turkey (Tyrkland): P3, a region near the world’s centre; P4, Odin sets out on his journey from Turkey
Turks (Tyrkir): P5; 55
Tyr (Týr), a god: 25, a description of; 34, loses his hand chaining Fenrir; 51, fights Garm at Ragnarok; S1;S6, visits Ægir
Ulixes (Ulixes), Ulysses, a name for Loki by Turks: 55
Ull (Ullr), Sif’s son: 31;S1
Unn (Uðr), name of Odin: 20
Uppsala (Uppsalir), the seat of the ancient Swedish kings: S9
Urd (Urðr; Fate or Destiny), a norn: 15
Urd, Well of (Urðarbrunnr; Well of Destiny or Fate): 15; 16, in verse and prose; 17
Utgard (útgardr; Outer Enclosure): 45, Thor travels there
Utgarda-Loki (útgarðaloki; Loki of the Outlying Regions), a giant king: 45, concerning his retainers; 46, puts Thor and his companions to tests; 47, reveals deceptions to Thor; 48. See Skrymir
Vaeni (Væni), a lake, probably Vänern in Sweden: S9
Vafthrudnir (Vafprúðnir; Mighty Weaver, possibly Strong in Difficult Riddles), giant: 5
Vafud (Váfudr; Dangling One?), name of Odin: 20
Vak (Vakr; Alert or Vigilant One), name of Odin: 20
Valaskjalf (Valaskjálf), Odin’s hall: 17
Val-Father (Valföðr; Father of the Slain), name of Odin: 15, in a verse; 20
Valhalla (Valhöll; Hall of the Slain), Odin’s hall: 2, with reference to its being roofed with shields; 20, Odin mans it with the Einherjar; 36, the valkyries serve mead in it; 38, with reference to the feeding of the host of Odin’s champions; 39, description of creatures of; 40, the doors of; 41, the daily battles of; 42; 49; S3
Vali (Váli), dwarf: 14
Vali (Váli), son of Loki: 50, kills his brother when the Æsir turn him into a wolf
Vali or Ali (Váli or áli), son of Odin and Rind: 30; 53, will survive Ragnarok; S1<
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Valkyrie (Valkyrja Valkyrjur plural; Chooser of the Slain): 36, sent by Odin to battle where they choose the slain for Valhalla; 49, with Odin at Baldr’s funeral; S7, Brynhild was a valkyrie; S10
Van (Ván or Vón; Hope or Expectation), river from the Fenriswolf’s saliva: 34
Vanaheim (Vanaheimar; Home of the Vanir), place where Njord was brought up: 23
Vanir, the (Vanir), a race of gods: 23, give Njord to the Æsir as a hostage; 35, Freyja the goddess of; S2, make a truce with the Æsir
Var (Vár; Beloved), goddess: 35
Vartari (Vartari), thong used to sew Loki’s lips: S5
Vasad (Vásad or VÁsudr; Damp Cold, Sleety), father of Vindloni, the father of Winter: 19
Ve (Vé), son of Bor and Bestla, brother of Odin: 6 Vedrfolnir (Vedrfö lnir; Wind Bleached), hawk sitting between the eyes of the eagle in the branches of Yggdrasil: 16
Veggdegg (Veggdegg), son of Odin ruling over East Saxland: P4
Vegsvinn (Vegsvinn; Way Swift), in some manuscripts, river flowing from Hvergelmir: 39
Veratyr (Veratýr; God of Men), name of Odin: 20
Verdandi (Verðandi; Becoming or Being), norn: 15
Veseti (Véseti), one of Hrolf Kraki’s berserkers: S9
Vestri (Vestri). See West
Vid (Víð; Broad), river flowing from Hvergelmir: 4; 39
Vidar (Víðarr; Wide Reigner, called the Silent, Inn Pögli), a god, Odin’s son: 29; 51, his shoe kills Fenrir at Ragnarok; 53, survives Ragnarok; S1; S4, his mother; S6, visits Ægir
Vidblain (Víðbláinn; Wide Blue), third heaven: 17
Vidfinn (Viðfinnr; Finn of the Woods), father of Bil and Hjuki: 11
Vidolf (Viðólfr; Forest Wolf), ancestor of seeresses: 5, in a verse
Vidrir (Viðrir; Ruler of Weather): 3, one of the twelve names of Odin
Vidur (Viðurr), name of Odin: 20
Vig (Vigr), dwarf: 14
Vigrid (Vígríðr; Battle Plain), plain: 51, site of Ragnarok
Vili (Vili), son of Bor and Bestla, brother of Odin: 6
Vilmeid (Vilmeiðr), ancestor of wizards: 5, in a verse
Vimur (Vimur), river: S4, Thor crosses it
Vin (Vin), a river: 39
Vina (Vína), a river: 39
Vindalf (Vindálfr; Wind Elf), dwarf: 14
Vindloni or Vindsval (Vindlóni or Vindsvalr; Wind Chill), father of Winter: 19
Vingenir (Vingenir), son of Vingethor: P3
Vingethor (Vingepórr), son of Einridi: P3
Vingnir (Vingnir), a name for Thor: 53, in a verse
Vingolf (Vingólf; Friendly Quarters): 3, connected with Gimle; 14, is the sanctuary of the goddesses; 20, Odin mans it with the Einherjar
Virpir (Virpir), dwarf: 14
Vitr (Vitr; Wise), dwarf: 14
Vitrgils (Vitrgils), son of Veggdegg: P4
Vitta (Vitta), son of Vitrgils: P4
Voden (Voden), son of Friallaf, Odin: P3
Vogg (Vöggr), a small boy: S9, gives King Hrolf Kraki his name
Volsung (Völsungr), a legendary hero: S7, father of Sigmund. See Volsungs
Volsungs (Völsungar), descendants of Volsung: S7; P4, family originating in France. See Sigurd or Volsung
Voluspa (Völuspá). See Sibyl’s Prophecy and Sibyl’s Prophecy, The Shorter
Vor (Vör; Careful), goddess: 35
Vott (Vöttr), one of Hrolf Kraki’s berserkers: S9
West (Vestri), dwarf holding up a corner of the sky formed out of Ymir’s skull: 8; 14
Westphalia (Vestfal): P4, is ruled over by Beldegg, son of Odin
Wigg (Wigg), son of Freovin: P4
Winter (Vetr): 19
World of the Dark Elves (Svartálfaheimr): 34, Skirnir is sent there; S7, Loki travels there. See Elves
World Tree. See Yggdrasil
Ygg (Yggr; Terrible One), Odin: 20
Yggdrasil (Yggdrasill; Ygg’s Horse), the Ash Tree or the World Tree: 15, a description of; 16, the creatures of; 41, in a verse; 51, will tremble at Ragnarok. See Lerad
Ylg (Ylgr; Swelling), river flowing from Hvergelmir: 4
Ymir (Ymir), primeval giant: 5, is formed in Ginnungagap, a male and female form under his left arm and one of his legs begets a son with the other, the frost giants coming into being; 6, lives off Audhumla’s milk; 7, killed by the sons of Bor; 8, the world is created from his body, the wall of Midgard is formed from his eyebrows (or eyelashes); 14, dwarves find life in his flesh
Ynglings (Ynglingar), descendants of Yngvi: P5
Yngvi (Yngvi), son of Odin, rules over Sweden after Odin; is progenitor of the Ynglings: P5
Yrsa (Yrsa, the name Yrsa, unusual in medieval Norse narrative, may be related to Latin ursa (she bear)), Hrolf Kraki’s mother and his sister: S9
Zealand (Selund). See Sjaelland
Notes
PROLOGUE
2. THE THREE PARTS OF THE WORLD
1. the region called Asia: The concept of Asia included the Middle East as well as the Far East.
3. THE PEOPLE OF TROY AND THOR
1. all manner of berserkers: Ferocious and feared warriors, they may have been members of cults connected with Odin in his capacity as god of warriors.
2. Frigida, we call Frigg: ‘Frigida’ may be a play on the Latin word for cold. The introduction of such classical learning is characteristic of the Prologue.
5. ODIN’S JOURNEY CONTINUES AND THE ÆSIR SETTLE IN THE NORTH
1. Sigtun: An old trading town near modern-day Stockholm.
2. Haleygjatal: Háleygjatal (The Helgeland Genealogies) was a tal or poetic list of the jarls of Halogaland, the far northern section of Norway. Composed in the tenth century by the Norwegian poet Eyvind Skaldaspillir, Haleygjatal traced the ancestry of Jarl Hakon of Hlade (d. 995) back to distant mythical times. Fragments of the poem are preserved in poetic passages in Skaldskaparmal and in different versions of the kings’ sagas.
GYLFAGINNING (THE DELUDING OF GYLFI)
I. KING GYLFI AND THE WOMAN GEFJUN
1. Sjaelland: The large island in Denmark.
2. Logrinn [the Lake]: An old name for Lake Mälar in Sweden.
2. GYLFI ENCOUNTERS THE THREE CHIEFTAINS OF THE ÆSIR
1. Gylfi Encounters… Æsir: The preceding first short story of Gefjun has long been considered to be a later addition to the original manuscript. If this is so, Gylfaginning began at this point with chapter 2.
2. conjured up visual illusions: The text employs the word sjónhverfing (pl. sjónhverfingar), with the sense of an optical illusion. In medieval Iceland sjónhverfing was understood to be the result of spells, part of a popular form of magic called galdr.
3. Thjodolf of Hvin: Thjodolf of Hvin or Hvinir was a Norwegian skald in the court of King Harald Fairhair around the year 900. He is credited with composing Ynglingatal (The Counting of the Ynglings), a poem treating mythological subjects and offering a genealogy of the kings of Sweden.
4. he was called High… was called Third: High (Hár), Just-as-High (Jafnhár) and Third (Priði) are names for Odin.
3. THE ALL-FATHER
1. Hel: The world of the dead, a pre-Christian concept.
2. Niflhel: Nifl, an old word, means mist, fog and darkness. At the time the Edda was written, the word was already obsolete but remained in many mythological compounds, as here in Niflhel (Dark Hel), a place seemingly different from Hel, where the worst of men underwent a kind of second death. Some manuscripts confuse Niflhel with Niflheim, the dark world of freezing mists.
4. NIFLHEIM AND MUSPELLSHEIM
1. Ginnungagap: The great void before creation.
2. Muspell: The text sometimes uses the shortened name Muspell for Muspellsheim (the world or region of Muspell). The name is related to the Old High German and Old Saxon muspelli, muspille and muspelle. These names are found in Christian poems and carry the meaning of doomsday, that is, the end of the world.
3. troll witches stumble: The verb rata, translated here as ‘stumble’, has at least three meanings: to
travel, in the sense of moving about or roaming; to find one’s way; and to fall or crash. It is unclear which meaning is intended.
5. GINNUNGAGAP AND THE EMERGENCE OF YMIR
1. seeresses: Völur, sibyls who act as seeresses or prophetesses.
2. under his left arm: The Icelandic word is hönd, meaning arm or armpit, as well as hand.
7. BERGELMIR AND THE APPEARANCE OF THE SECOND RACE OF FROST GIANTS
1. wooden box: The word lúðr has several meanings. I translate lúdr as wooden box, because the word also means a stand for holding a handmill, that is, the wooden box that surrounds the millstone into which the ground flour falls. This box could function as a vessel. It is also somewhat like a coffin, and the usage of the word in this line carries the imagery both of a boat and of death. Another meaning for lúðr is a trumpet.
2. Countless winters: The passage of years was counted by winters.
8. THE WORLD IS CREATED FROM YMIR’S BODY
1. eyelashes: Related to English ‘brow’, the Old Norse word brá (here in the plural brár) means eyelash or the eye itself. Probably the reference is to eyelashes, resembling a fence or wall. Possibly the reference is to all of the eye.
2. called this stronghold Midgard: Perhaps the name Midgard refers to the fortress-like wall that surrounds and protects the world of men from the giants.
9. MEN ARE CREATED AND ASGARD IS BUILT
1. The sons of Bor… hearing and sight: The Sibyl’s Prophecy stanzas 17– 18 tells a similar story but names Odin’S companions as Hoenir and Lodur.
2. Earth was his daughter: In chapter 36, Jord or Earth is counted among the ásynjur or goddesses of the Æsir. In chapter 10, Earth is the daughter of Night and Annar.
12. THE WOLVES
1. he will swallow the moon: The word used is tungl, which usually means moon, but tungl may be a shortening of himintungl, meaning heavenly body or bodies. Alone, tungl can mean sun. In the verse that follows, tungl probably means moon, if one thinks of Managarm (Moon Dog), but it is possible that the reference is to the sun. The Lay of Vafthrudnir offers a different version of the destruction of the sun, in which Fenrir swallows it.