Then Skrymer bound all their provisions into one bag, laid it on his back, and led the way all the day, taking gigantic strides. Her threshold is called stumbling-block; her bed, care; the precious hangings of her bed, gleaming bale. And Thor grew so wroth at the giant that he came near letting the hammer ring on his head straightway, but he restrained himself, for he intended to try his strength elsewhere. When he saw that all his efforts were in vein he became wroth, seized his hammer Mjolner with both hands, stepped with one foot forward to where Skrymer was lying and dashed the hammer at his head. And there is a great dwelling called Valaskjalf, which belongs to Odin. He is the greatest plague. Then said Ganglere: The gods did not, it seems to me, build that bridge honestly, if it shall be able to break to pieces, since they could have done so, had they desired. This woman, however, was of the family of the sir; her . In like manner I deceived you in your contests with my courtiers. Or do they drink water? He called them Moon and Sun. As is here said: Then said Ganglere: Of great importance these asas seem to me to be, and it is not wonderful that you have great power, since you have such excellent knowledge of the gods, and know to which of them to address you prayers on each occasion. Odin's greatest achievement was the creation of man and the immortal soul. Her last husband was Delling (Day-break), who was of asa-race. Snorri was a great poet as well as a great writer, and he preferred an old-fashioned kind of poetry that made much use of the pre-Christian Scandinavian mythological material. Utgard-Loke now asked Thor what feats there were that he would be willing to exhibit before them, corresponding to the tales that men tell of his great works. But Loke had run such a race with Svadilfare that he some time after bore a foal. He included lots of the old myths and stories so that people would know how to use them in the poetry. The eighth is Lofn, who is kind and good to those who call upon her, and she has permission from Alfather or Frigg to bring together men and women, no matter what difficulties may stand in the way; therefore love is so called from her name, and also that which is much loved by men. She asked him for his name, and of what kin he was, saying that the day before there rode five fylkes (kingdoms, bands) of dead men over the bridge; but she added, it does not shake less under you alone, and you do not have the hue of dead men. He sways victory in war, wherefore warriors should call on him. Shortly before daybreak he heard that Skrymer had fallen asleep. Third giggled, and Just-as-High thumped him in the chest. Here, Snorri samples the old Poetic Edda poem, the Vlusp, to tell the tale of how the universe came to be. His third treasure that is of so great value is his iron gloves; these he cannot do without when he lays hold of the hammers haft. He wrote a number of books, including one best known as the Prose Edda, which contains a great deal of Scandinavian mythological material. Third and Just-as-High seemed alarmed at this question. The mountain I brought before the blows without you seeing it. He went in, and saw there sitting on the foremost seat his brother Balder. There waxed the serpent so that he lies in the midst of the ocean, surrounds all the earth, and bites his own tail. He surpasses other men in the craft of cunning, and cheats in all things. Hymer plied the oars in the bow, and thus the rowing soon ended. From Ymirs body, they shaped the world we know from the earth, sky, and even the stars in the sky. HE has a conversation with 3 Aesir and wins a competition in which the Aesir's idea of the afterlife is disproved. At the beginning of the Gylfaginning, Gylfi is in modern-day Sweden. Thither come also the sons of Thor, Mode and Magne, and they have Mjolner. It is also a fact that it is no more difficult to find room within than to get in. There he saw many rooms and a large number of people, of whom some were playing, others were drinking, and some were fighting with weapons. Ale, or Vale, is the son of Odin and Rind. While its the most prolific retelling of the surviving stories in the Poetic Edda, it wasnt its original intention. Other causes of these names must be sought in his journeys, which are told of in old sagas; and you can lay no claim to being called a wise man if you are not able to tell of these wonderful adventures. He then summoned from the bench a man by the name Loge, and requested him to come out on the floor and try his strength against Loke. THE DELUDING OF GYLFI Translated by Jean I. But the truth must be told, that there was no fearless sleeping. He has a trumpet called Gjallarhorn, and when he blows it it can be heard in all the worlds. With one hand Vidar seizes the upper jaw of the wolf, and thus rends asunder his mouth. The Gylfaginning serves as a framework to retell Old Norse sagas sampled from surviving Nordic texts through the eyes of Gylfi. Gylfi was a king of Sweden, and he lived among his people there happily for many years. Look for the old woman Gefjon's laughter at defeating Gylfi, for instance. Nanna sent Frigg a kerchief and other gifts, and to Fulla she sent a ring. But it seemed a great wonder to the asas what great rocks the horse drew, and the horse did one half more of the mighty task than the builder. These maids shape the lives of men, and we call them norns. High-One answered again, "A certain man who was called Mundilfari had two children. 16 A possible meaning of the name Vindlni. When he saw their fear, his wrath left him. He is very daring and stout-hearted. Utgard-Loke said this was a good feat, and added that it was to be hoped that he excelled in swiftness if he expected to win in this game, but he would soon have the matter decided. So when he came into the burg he saw there a hall so high that he could hardly look over it. When the gods came to their senses, Frigg spoke and asked who there might be among the asas who desired to win all her love and good will by riding the way to Hel and trying to find Balder, and offering Hel a ransom if she would allow Balder to return home again to Asgard. All who live a life of virtue shall dwell with him in Gimle or Vingolf. Har answered: That is by the ash Ygdrasil. He stretched out his hand and picked up his glove. Utgard-Loke bade her take a wrestle with Asa-Thor. He looked around him, and much of what he saw seemed to him incredible. The Elder Edda and the Younger Edda/Younger Edda/The Deluding of Gylfi Then the All-father11 took Night and her son Day and gave them two horses and two chariots and set them up in the sky so that they should ride around the world every two half-days. He pulled the serpent up to the gunwale; and in truth no one has ever seen a more terrible sight than when Thor whet his eyes on the serpent, and the latter stared at him and spouted venom. There dwell the folk that are called light-elves; but the dark-elves dwell down in the earth, and they are unlike the light-elves in appearance, but much more so in deeds. At the universes beginning, Odin, Vili, and V killed a giant named Ymir. Are there other remarkable places than the one by Urds fountain? That's why Winter himself is so nasty and grim. Finding the door open they entered, and saw there many men, the most of whom were immensly large, sitting on two benches. He was going to see the gods called the Aesir. High-One raised an eyebrow and grinned, saying, "You are still confused. The second part of the Prose Edda is called the Skldskaparml and the third Httatal. The present selection includes the whole of Gylfaginning (The deluding of Gylfi)--a guide to mythology that forms one of the great storybooks of the Middle Ages--and the longer heroic tales and legends of Skldskaparml (Poetic diction). She has no way out except to run away! Then said Ganglere: What tidings are to be told of Ragnarok? The most famous medieval Icelandic writer was Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241). Gylfi felt very very stupid, but he had to know, "Who is it that makes her this trouble?". You will also learn about the different types of creatures that populate the world of Norse mythology. Third continued, "Well, Odinn and Vili and Ve had to use the giant's body to make the whole world, since there was little in the universe but him. But in this flood Naglfar gets afloat. Then said Ganglere: How does he steer the course of the sun and the moon? Gylfi felt about three inches tall and slumped. Of this I have never heard before. Gylfiss primary purpose in the Gylfaginning is to ask the sir gods about the universes origin. It is so in the Great Poem, Gangleri.". They also recounted Bifrost, the only link between Asgard and the human realms. Out of it come three maids, whose names are Urd, Verdande and Skuld. The wolf, who did not think it would be too strong for him, let them do therewith as they pleased. These children follow Moon, as may be seen from earth. She keeps in a box those apples of which the gods eat when they grow old, and then they become young again, and so it will be until Ragnarok (the twilight of the gods). Every morning the foam Frosty-Mane makes from chewing his bit falls to the earth and makes the morning dew.". GEFJON's PLOUGHING. Then Third says: This Bor married a woman whose name was Bestla, the daughter of the giant Bolthorn; they had three sons,the one hight Odin, the other Vile, and the third Ve. Kevin Crossley-Holland's The Norse Myths And it is my belief that this Odin and his brothers are the rulers of heaven and earth. The tenth is Vor, who is so wise and searching that nothing can be concealed from her. Thus is it here said: Then said Ganglere: How comes it that summer is so hot, but the winter so cold? Thus it was before these things were made. Then the asas sent messengers over all the world, praying that Balder might be wept out of Hels power. He saw neither hall nor burg. Odin rides first; with his golden helmet, resplendent byrnie, and his spear Gungner, he advances against the Fenris-wolf. From: Bartholin, Thomas. Because he was the universe, he ruled it, see? And for this reason odin is called Alfather, that he is the father of all gods and men, and of all things that were made by him and by his might. She came riding on a wolf, and had twisted serpents for reins. The meaning seems to stem from the understanding of bellows as tools from a blacksmith's forge. Ganglere asked: How could these keep peace with Ymer, or who was the stronger? He, who had conducted him in, answered that the one who sat in the lowest high-seat was king, and hight Har; the other next above him, Jafnhar; but the one who sat on the highest throne, Thride. In the morning Hymer arose, dressed himself, and busked himself to row out upon the sea to fish. Replied Har, explaining, that as soon as the streams, that are called the Elivogs, had come so far from their source that the venomous yeast which flowed with them hardened, as does dross that runs from the fire, then it turned into ice. Thus he gets information about many things, and hence he is called Rafnagud (raven-god). Of him it is said that he gave to a wayfaring woman, as a reward for the entertainment she had afforded him by her story-telling, a plow-land in his realm, as large as four oxen could plow it in a day and a night. So Frigg exacted an oath from fire, water, iron and all kinds of metal, stones, earth, trees, sicknesses, beasts and birds and creeping things, that they should not hurt Balder. Books D'Aulaire's Book of Norse Myths A classic of mythical anthologies, with beautiful artwork. In the time before Odinn: Gylfi smiled proudly, for he himself and his people were all great-great-great grandchildren of the resourceful brothers. Thor replied that he preferred to compete with someone in drinking. The whole universe was a cold giant named Ymir. He is also called Hangagod, Haptagod, Farmagod; and he gave himself still more names when he came to King Geirrod: Then said Ganglere: A very great number of names you have given him; and this I know, forsooth, that he must be a very wise man who is able to understand and decide what chances are the causes of all these names. The light-elves are fairer than the sun to look upon, but the dark-elves are blacker than pitch. Here he built a house with four doors, so that he might keep an outlook on all sides. These are called valkyries. In Old Norse texts, such as Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, Jarnsaxa is described as a goddess of the sea, Thor's lover, and the mother of Magni and Modi. Her looks are very stern and grim. The result of the grapple was, that the more Thor tightened his grasp, the firmer she stood. Ganglere asked: Does Odin have the same kind of food as the einherjes? Made answer Har: Alfather he is called in our tongue, but in Asgard of old he had twelve names. The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson - Paperback - University of In Hvergelmer with Nidhug are more serpents than tongue can tell. Four milk-streams ran from her teats, and she fed Ymer. [Gangleri/Gylfi goes on to ask High One, Just-as-High, and Third many things about the nature of the universe and the gods and heroes of Scandinavian mythology. Antiquitatum danicarum de causis contemptae a Danis adhuc gentilibus mortis libri tres [Three books of Danish antiquities concerning the causes of the Danes' contempt of death while they were still pagan]. Then said the asas that he would easily be able to break a slim silken band, since he had already burst large iron fetters asunder. THE DELUDING OF GYLFI. Oftentimes in the daytime he took on him the likeness of a salmon and concealed himself in Frananger Force. But the gods were angered by that arrogance and took the siblings and set them up in the sky, they made Sun drive that horse who drew the sun's chariot which the gods had shaped to light the world from an ember which flew from Muspell's World. When they heard this, the Aesir were very surprised. He was so curious, he finally asked, "Why does the Sun move so fast?". Then Thor made up his mind that if he could get a chance to give him the third blow, he would never see him again, and he now lay watching for Skrymer to sleep fast. Then answered Thride: It is evident that he now is bound to know, though it does not seem proper for us to speak thereof. He did not remain long at home, before he busked himself so suddenly for a new journey, that he took neither chariot, nor goats nor any companions with him. Back to Text, 7 The name Annarr seems to be the same as the word annarr, meaning "other, second". Another place is called Breidablik, and no place is fairer. I could never have believed it, if anyone had told me, that Asa-Thor could not drink more, but I know you will be able to empty it in a second draught. Thus it is said in the very words of the asas themselves: On the first day of winter he began to build the burg, but by night he hauled stone for it with his horse. Thor has two goats, by name Tangnjost and Tangrisner, and a chariot, wherein he drives. And where the land had been taken away became afterward a sea, which in Sweden is now called Logrinn (the Lake, the Malar Lake in Sweden). Their son was Aud. Creator: Jakob Sigursson 1727-1779. Loke went before it and laid himself down between two stones, so that they drew the net over him, although they perceived that some living thing touched the meshes. He is the strongest of all gods and men, and rules over the realm which is called Thrudvang. Gylfi shook his head in agreement, that's why he was here: to learn not to be tested. The Gylfaginning, in a nutshell, is a conversation between the king of Sweden and the king of Asgard, Odin. Now I will give you wholesome advice. How is it with you, Thor? Gylfi (as Gangleri) met three Chieftains He discovers that the All-father (Odin) is the mightiest of all the gods and that it was he who rules everything and created everything. The ship that is called Naglfar also becomes loose. When the asas said they were ready, the wolf shook himself, spurned against and dashed the fetter on the ground, so that the broken pieces flew a long distance. The gods became exceedingly wroth, as might be expected. Har answered: Of no great account was his meeting with Bele. Snorri writes that the sir were trying to trick Gylfi/Gangleri into believing these stories--in this way he can write all about the old heathen myths without getting into trouble with the Christian Church. About midnight there was a great earthquake; the ground trembled beneath them, and the house shook. The old frost-giant we call Ymer. Then there came into the hall an old woman. Ginnunga means something like "magical, mighty" and himin literally means "heaven". Then said one of them: There are still others who are to serve in Valhal, bear the drink around, wait upon the table and pass the ale-horns. Then they went out into the lake called Amsvartner, to the holm (rocky island) called Lyngve, and called the wolf to go with them. It was a good question, really. Believing he was disguised he traveled to sgar, the dwelling place of the gods. High-One said. The one who is behind her is Skoll. Their names are: The third root of the ash is in heaven, and beneath it is the most sacred fountain of Urd. Brage is the name of another of the asas. A she-goat, by name Heidrun, stands up in Valhal and bites the leaves off the branches of that famous tree called Lerad. They all laughed except Tyr; he lost his hand. While the Prose Edda has its problems, it is one of the most substantial texts that preserve many of the sagas and origins of Norse mythology outside of the Poetic Edda. The Fenris-wolf gets loose. The Deluding of Gylfi. Meanwhile the man woke, and immediately arose. First of all came Odin, accompanied by Frigg and the valkyries and his ravens. Answered Utgard-Loke: Young lads here think it nothing but play to lift my cat up from the ground, and I should never have dared to offer such a thing to Asa-Thor had I not already seen that you are much less of a man than I thought. If you have not known this before, you can easily find out that it is true and that there is no lie about it, since you must have observed that a woman has no beard, that a cats footfall cannot be heard, and that mountains have no roots; and I know, forsooth, that what I have told you is perfectly true, although there are some things that you do not understand. So it is here said: Then said Ganglere: Do any gods live then? Here the gods have their doomstead. There is also a mansion called Glitner, of which the walls and pillars and posts are of red gold, and the roof is of silver. Then Thor saw that the glove was the hall in which he had spent the night, and that the adjoining room was the thumb of the glove. Here they remained through the night. ", Gylfi was concerned, "Uh, what about Ymir, the giant? For this purpose they used the giant Ymers eyebrows, and they called the burg Midgard. Surt rides first, and before him and after him flames burning fire. A chariot called Sun was made of embers and sent across the sky to measure a day. Snorri, however, was very learned in Biblical and classical (Greek and Roman) studies and this knowledge may have affect the way he rebuilt the myths. High-One and Just-as-High shook their heads in agreement. It is good to call on him for harvests and peace. Snorri Sturluson was a master storyteller, and this translation in modern idiom of the inimitable tales of . That man asked him what his name was. But if you alone have come so lacking in knowledge that you have never ever heard this, then I think it is better that you ask just this once than forever not know this.". It is not very nice to make fun of people who do not understand. 44). The twelfth is Hlin, who guards those men whom Frigg wants to protect from any danger. As is here said: The third asa is he who is called Njord. It is built of red gold, and is called Sindre. To this house went a woman, and when she raised her hands to open the door, both the sky and the sea glistened therefrom, and she made all the world bright. Eljudner is the name of her hall. He rules the course of the wind and checks the fury of the sea and of fire. Answered Har: She licked the salt-stones that were covered with rime, and the first day that she licked the stones there came out of them in the evening a mans hair, the second day a mans head, and the third day the whole man was there. Thor clenched his fist and gave the giant a box on the ear so that he fell backward into the sea, and he saw his heels last, but Thor waded ashore. When it is not wanted for a voyage, it is made of so many pieces and with so much skill, that Frey can fold it together like a napkin and carry it in his pocket. The asas took the corpse of Balder and brought it to the sea-shore. The Myth of Telepinu, Hittite God of Fertility, From the Matsya Purana ("The Yuga Cycle"), From: Hindu Mythology and Literature as Recorded by Portuguese Missionaries of the Early 17th Century, From Plutarchs De Iside et Osiride ("Of Isis and Osiris"), from Tao, The Great Luminant: Essays from the Huai Nan Tzu, from Dissertation on The Cosmic Spirit, from Tao, The Great Luminant: Essays from the Huai Nan Tzu, from Dissertation on Life and Soul or The Keeper of the Soul", from Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697, Vol. Snorri Sturluson is the author of one of the most prolific historical records of Norse mythology, the Prose Edda. THE DELUDING OF GYLFI. Then quoth he: He saw three high-seats, one above the other, and in each sat a man. Said Utgard-Loke: From this horn it is thought to be well drunk if it is emptied in one draught, some men empty it in two draughts, but there is no drinker so wretched that he cannot exhaust it in three. The Moon knew not How was the earth fashioned? You have already said that all men shall live in some world through all ages. Har gave answer: Then was he with the frost-giants. No better tribunal is to be found among gods and men. It is now time to get up and dress; but you have not far left to the burg that is called Utgard. Freyja has many names, and the reason therefor is that she changed her name among the various nations to which she came in search of Oder. But the gods became wroth at this arrogance, took both the brother and the sister, set them up in heaven, and made Sun drive the horses that draw the car of the sun, which the gods had made to light up the world from sparks that flew out of Muspelheim. When the messengers returned home and had done their errand well, they found a certain cave wherein sat a giantess (gyger= ogress) whose name was Thok. It is built of serpents wattled together, and all the heads of the serpents turn into the hall and vomit forth venom that flows in streams along the hall, and in these streams wade perjurers and murderers. Gods like Thor, Loki, Odin, and Frida Jarnsaxa: The Giantess And Norse Goddess of the Sea. Gud and Rosta, and the youngest norn, Skuld, always ride to sway the battle and choose the slain. Him the giants call Bergelmer. They took various pieces of Ymir's body and made the world out of them. Then answered Har: The sons of Bor slew the giant Ymer, but when he fell, there flowed so much blood from his wounds that they drowned therein the whole race of frost-giants; excepting one, who escaped with his household. Said Har: A hag dwells east of Midgard, in the forest called Jarnved (Ironwood), where reside the witches called Jarnvidjes. Gangleri then is taken to the king of the palace and comes upon three men: High, Just-As-High, and Third. Gylfaginning (Old Norse: 'The Beguiling of Gylfi' or 'The Deluding of Gylfi'; c. 20,000 words; 13th century Old Norse pronunciation in Norse, Old pronounced as /lvan/) is the first part of the 13th century Prose Edda after the Prologue.The Gylfaginning deals with the creation and destruction of the world of the sir and many other aspects of Norse . He hight also Hallinskide and Gullintanne, for his teeth were of gold. Jord hight their daughter. The gods wanted to launch it and make Balders bale-fire thereon, but they could not move it. Gylfi was then wondering about the gods of Sun and the Moon, and how they fit in with all of the horses and chariots and embers and things. He thought they only showed up at the end of the world, when they eat Sun and Moon. For what feats are you and your companions prepared? Many scholars believe that the Deluding of Gylfi was a clever way for Snorri to recount the Norse sagas without being sacrilegious to his Christian faith. The asas now began to fear that they would not get the wolf bound. MyNDIR: The Deluding of Gylfi Be the first to contribute! Her fascination with mythology began as a child; spending afternoons at her grandmas house going through the library in search of history and mythological books.
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