DOCSLIB.ORG

Investigations Into Germanic Mythology, Volume 1 by Viktor Rydberg

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Investigations Into Germanic Mythology, Volume 1 by Viktor Rydberg Undersökningar i Germanisk Mytologi, första delen. Investigations into Germanic Mythology, Volume 1 by Viktor Rydberg III. THE MYTH CONCERNING THE GERMANIC PREHISTORY AND THE EMIGRATIONS FROM THE NORTH. 20. THE CREATION OF MAN. THE PRIMEVAL COUNTRY. SCEF, THE BRINGER OF CULTURE. The human race, or at least the Germanic race, springs, according to the myth, from a single pair, and has accordingly had a center from which their descendants have spread over that world which was embraced by the Germanic horizon. The story of the creation of this pair has its root in a myth of ancient Indo-European origin, according to which the first parents were plants before they became human beings. The Iranian version of the story is preserved in Bundahishn, chap. 15.1 There it is stated that the first human pair grew at the time of the autumnal equinox in the form of a rheum ribes2 with a single stalk. After the lapse of fifteen years, the bush had put forth fifteen leaves. The man and woman who developed in and with it were closely united, forming one body, so that it could not be seen which one was the man and which one the woman, and they held their hands close to their ears. Nothing revealed whether the splendor of Ahura Mazda - that is to say, the soul - was yet in them or not. Then said Ahura Mazda to Mashia (the man) and to Mashiana (the woman): "Be human beings; become the parents of the world!" And from being plants, they got the form of human beings, and Ahura Mazda urged them to think good thoughts, speak good words, and do good deeds. Still, they soon thought an evil thought and became sinners. The rheum ribes from which they sprang had its own origin in seed from a primeval being in human form, Gaya Maretan (Gayomert), which was created from perspiration (cp. Vafþrúðnismál 33:1-4), but was slain by the evil Angra Mainyu. Bundahishn then gives an account of the first generations following Mashia and Mashiana, and explains how they spread over the earth and became the first parents of the human race. The Hellenic Indo-Europeans have known the myth concerning the origin of man from plants. According to Hesiod,3 the men of the third age of the world grew from the ash-tree (ek meleon); compare the Odyssey, 19, 163. 1 The Bundahishn ("Creation"), or Knowledge from the Zand. Translated by E. W. West, from Sacred Books of the East, volume 5, Oxford University Press, 1897. 2 Rydberg calls this a "reivac" bush. There seems to be no adequate translation of this word. It is a member of the rhubarb family native to the Middle East. 3 Works and Days, 133-4 From this same tree came the first man according to the Germanic myth. Three Aesir, mighty and worthy of worship, came to Midgard (at húsi, Völuspá 17; compare Völuspá 4, where Midgard is referred to by the word salr) and found á landi Ask and Embla. These beings were then "of little might" (lítt megandi) and "without destiny" (örlögslausir); they lacked önd, they lacked óðr, they had no lá or læti or litr goða, but Odin gave them önd, Hoenir gave them óðr, Lodur gave them lá and litr goða. In reference to the meaning of these words, I refer my readers to No. 95, simply noting here that litr goða, previously defined as "good color" (góðr litr), signifies "the appearance (image) of gods." From looking like trees, Ask and Embla got the appearance which before them none but the gods had assumed. The Teutons, like the Greeks and Romans, conceived the gods in the image of men. Odin's words in Hávamál 49 refer to the same myth. The passage explains that when the Asa-god saw the modesty of the new-made human pair he gave them his own divine garments to cover them. When they found themselves so beautifully adorned it seems to indicate the awakening sense of pride in the first human pair. The words are: "In the field (velli at), I gave my clothes to the two wooden men (tveim trémönnum). Heroes they seemed to themselves when they got clothes. The naked man is embarrassed." Both the expressions á landi and velli at should be observed. That the trees grew on the ground, and that the acts of creating and clothing took place there is so self-evident that these words would be meaningless if they were not called for by the fact that the authors of these passages in Hávamál and Völuspá had in their minds the ground along the sea, that is, a sea-beach. This is also clear from a tradition given in Gylfaginning 9, according to which the three Aesir were walking along the sea-beach (með sævarströndu) when they found Ask and Embla, and created of them the first human pair. Thus the first human pair were created on the beach of an ocean. To which sea can the myth refer? The question does not concern the ancient Indo-European time, but the Germanic antiquity, not Asia, but Europe; and if we furthermore limit it to the Christian era there can be but one answer. Germany was bounded in the days of Tacitus, and long before his time, by Gaul, Rhoetia, and Pannonia on the west and south, by the extensive territories of the Sarmatians and Dacians on the east, and by the ocean on the north. The so-called German Ocean, the North Sea and the Baltic, was then the only body of water within the horizon of the Teutons, the only one which in the days of Jordanes, after the Goths long had ruled north of the Black Sea, was thought to wash the primeval Germanic strands. The myth must therefore refer to the German Ocean. It is certain that the borders of this ocean where the myth has located the creation of the first human pair, or the first Germanic pair, was regarded as the center from which their descendants spread over more and more territory. Where near the North Sea or the Baltic was this center located? Even this question can be answered, thanks to the mythic fragments preserved. A feature common to all well-developed mythological systems is the view that the human race in its infancy was under the special protection of friendly divinities, and received from them the doctrines, arts, and trades without which all culture is impossible. The same view is strongly developed among the Teutons. Anglo-Saxon documents have rescued the story telling how Ask and Embla's descendants received the first blessings of culture from the benign gods. The story has come to us through Christian hands, which, however, have allowed enough of the original to remain to show that its main purpose was to tell us how the great gifts of culture came to the human race. The saga names the land where this took place. The country was the most southern part of the Scandinavian peninsula, and especially the part of it bordering on the western sea.4 Had these statements come to us only from northern sources, there would be good reason for doubting their originality and general application to the Germanic tribes. The Icelandic- Norwegian middle-age literature abounds in evidence of a disposition to locate the events of a myth and the exploits of mythic persons in the author's own land and town. But in this instance, there is no room for the suspicion that patriotism has given to the southernmost part of the Scandinavian peninsula a so conspicuous prominence in the earliest history of the myth. The chief evidence is found in the traditions of the Saxons in England, and this gives us the best clue to the unanimity with which the sagas of the Germanic continent, from a time prior to the birth of Christ far down in the Middle Ages, point out the great peninsula in the northern sea as the land of the oldest ancestors, in conflict with the scholastic opinion in regard to an emigration from Troy. The region where the myth located the first dawn of human culture was certainly also the place which was regarded as the cradle and center of the race. The non-Scandinavian sources in question are: the Beowulf poem, Ethelwerd, Willielmus Malmesburiensis (William of Malmsbury), Simeon Dunelmensis (Simeon of Durham), and Matthæus Westmonasteriensis5 (Matthew of Westminster ). A closer examination of them reveals the fact that they have their information from three different sources, which again have a common origin in a heathen myth. If we bring together what they have preserved of the story we get the following result6: One day it came to pass that a ship was seen sailing near the coast of Scedeland or Scani,7 and it approached the land without being propelled either by oars or sails. The ship came to the sea-beach, and there was seen lying in it a little boy, who was sleeping with his head on a sheaf of grain, surrounded by treasures and tools, by glaives8 and coats of mail. The boat itself was stately and beautifully decorated. Who he was and from where he came nobody had any idea, but the little boy was received as if he had been a kinsman, and he received the most constant and tender care. Since he came with a sheaf of grain to their country, the people called him Scef, Sceaf.9 (The Beowulf poem calls him Scyld, son of Sceaf, and gives Scyld the son Beowulf, which originally was another name of Scyld.).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Norse Myth Guide
    Norse Myth If it has a * next to it don’t worry about it for the quiz. Everything else is fair game within reason as I know this is a lot. Just make sure you know the basics. Heimdall -Characteristics -Can hear grass grow -Needs only as much sleep as a bird -Guards Bifrost -Will kill and be killed by Loki at Ragnarok -He is one of the Aesir -Has foresight like the Vanir -Other Names -Vindhler -Means "wind shelter" -The White God As -Hallinskidi -Means "bent stick" but actually refers to rams -Gullintani -Received this nickname from his golden teeth -Relationships -Grandfather to Kon the Young -Born of the nine mothers -Items -Gjallarhorn -Will blow this to announce Ragnarok -Sword Hofund -Horse Golltop -Places -Lives on "heavenly mountain" Himinbjorg -Stories -Father of mankind -He went around the world as Rig -He slept with many women -Three of these women, Edda, Amma, and Modir, became pregnant -They gave birth to the three races of mankind -Jarl, Karl, and Thrall -Recovering Brisingamen -Loki steals Brisingamen from Freya -He turns himself into a seal and hides -Freya enlists Heimdall to recover the necklace -They find out its Loki, so Heimdall goes to fight him -Heimdall also turns into a seal, and they fight at Singasteinn -Heimdall wins, and returns the necklace to Freya -Meaning of sword -A severed head was thrown at Heimdall -After this incident, a sword is referred to as "Heimdall's head" -Possession of knowledge -Left his ear in the Well of Mimir to gain knowledge Aegir* -Characteristics -God of the ocean/sea -Is sometimes said
    [Show full text]
  • Old Norse Mythology — Comparative Perspectives Old Norse Mythology— Comparative Perspectives
    Publications of the Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature No. 3 OLd NOrse MythOLOgy — COMParative PersPeCtives OLd NOrse MythOLOgy— COMParative PersPeCtives edited by Pernille hermann, stephen a. Mitchell, and Jens Peter schjødt with amber J. rose Published by THE MILMAN PARRY COLLECTION OF ORAL LITERATURE Harvard University Distributed by HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, Massachusetts & London, England 2017 Old Norse Mythology—Comparative Perspectives Published by The Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature, Harvard University Distributed by Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts & London, England Copyright © 2017 The Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature All rights reserved The Ilex Foundation (ilexfoundation.org) and the Center for Hellenic Studies (chs.harvard.edu) provided generous fnancial and production support for the publication of this book. Editorial Team of the Milman Parry Collection Managing Editors: Stephen Mitchell and Gregory Nagy Executive Editors: Casey Dué and David Elmer Production Team of the Center for Hellenic Studies Production Manager for Publications: Jill Curry Robbins Web Producer: Noel Spencer Cover Design: Joni Godlove Production: Kristin Murphy Romano Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Hermann, Pernille, editor. Title: Old Norse mythology--comparative perspectives / edited by Pernille Hermann, Stephen A. Mitchell, Jens Peter Schjødt, with Amber J. Rose. Description: Cambridge, MA : Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature, 2017. | Series: Publications of the Milman Parry collection of oral literature ; no. 3 | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifers: LCCN 2017030125 | ISBN 9780674975699 (alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Mythology, Norse. | Scandinavia--Religion--History. Classifcation: LCC BL860 .O55 2017 | DDC 293/.13--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017030125 Table of Contents Series Foreword ...................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the Legendary Saga of the Volsungs Cecelia Lefurgy Viking Art and Literature October 4, 2007 Professor Tinkler and Professor E
    1 The Legendary Saga of the Volsungs Cecelia Lefurgy Viking Art and Literature October 4, 2007 Professor Tinkler and Professor Erussard Stories that are passed down through oral and written traditions are created by societies to give meaning to, and reinforce the beliefs, rules and habits of a particular culture. For Germanic culture, The Saga of the Volsungs reflected the societal traditions of the people, as well as their attention to mythology. In the Saga, Sigurd of the Volsung 2 bloodline becomes a respected and heroic figure through the trials and adventures of his life. While many of his encounters are fantastic, they are also deeply rooted in the values and belief structures of the Germanic people. Tacitus, a Roman, gives his account of the actions and traditions of early Germanic peoples in Germania. His narration remarks upon the importance of the blood line, the roles of women and also the ways in which Germans viewed death. In Snorri Sturluson’s The Prose Edda, a compilation of Norse mythology, Snorri Sturluson touches on these subjects and includes the perception of fate, as well as the role of shape changing. Each of these themes presented in Germania and The Prose Edda aid in the formation of the legendary saga, The Saga of the Volsungs. Lineage is a meaningful part of the Germanic culture. It provides a sense of identity, as it is believed that qualities and characteristics are passed down through generations. In the Volsung bloodline, each member is capable of, and expected to achieve greatness. As Sigmund, Sigurd’s father, lay wounded on the battlefield, his wife asked if she should attend to his injuries so that he may avenge her father.
    [Show full text]
  • Number Symbolism in Old Norse Literature
    Háskóli Íslands Hugvísindasvið Medieval Icelandic Studies Number Symbolism in Old Norse Literature A Brief Study Ritgerð til MA-prófs í íslenskum miðaldafræðum Li Tang Kt.: 270988-5049 Leiðbeinandi: Torfi H. Tulinius September 2015 Acknowledgements I would like to thank firstly my supervisor, Torfi H. Tulinius for his confidence and counsels which have greatly encouraged my writing of this paper. Because of this confidence, I have been able to explore a domain almost unstudied which attracts me the most. Thanks to his counsels (such as his advice on the “Blóð-Egill” Episode in Knýtlinga saga and the reading of important references), my work has been able to find its way through the different numbers. My thanks also go to Haraldur Bernharðsson whose courses on Old Icelandic have been helpful to the translations in this paper and have become an unforgettable memory for me. I‟m indebted to Moritz as well for our interesting discussion about the translation of some paragraphs, and to Capucine and Luis for their meticulous reading. Any fault, however, is my own. Abstract It is generally agreed that some numbers such as three and nine which appear frequently in the two Eddas hold special significances in Norse mythology. Furthermore, numbers appearing in sagas not only denote factual quantity, but also stand for specific symbolic meanings. This tradition of number symbolism could be traced to Pythagorean thought and to St. Augustine‟s writings. But the result in Old Norse literature is its own system influenced both by Nordic beliefs and Christianity. This double influence complicates the intertextuality in the light of which the symbolic meanings of numbers should be interpreted.
    [Show full text]
  • Det Kongelige Bibliotek the Royal Library
    Digitaliseret af | Digitised by det kongelige bibliotek the royal library København | Copenhagen DK Digitaliserede udgaver af materiale fra Det Kongelige Biblioteks samlinger må ikke sælges eller gøres til genstand for nogen form for kommerciel udnyttelse. For oplysninger om ophavsret og brugerrettigheder, se venligst www.kb.dk UK Digitised versions of material from the Royal Librarys collections may not be sold or be subject to any form for commercial use. For information on copyright and user rights, please consult www.kb.dk / f K \ ‘■t \ I ' v / i \ \ * N C * -/ m j •• DET KONGELIGE BIBLIOTEK f;HM '■■:■. '■■■. % - t .A •»? h 130022042761 yjfc HEIMSKRINGLA SOGVR NOREGS KONE KGA SNORRA STURLUSONAR. I UPPSALA, W. S C H U L T Z, » © ■1 © U PPSA LA , 1870. AKADEMISKA BOKTRYCKERIET, * ED. BERLING. K \ • .y/, V YNGLINGA SAGA. SAGA HÅLFDANAR SVARTA. HARALDS SAGA HINS HARFAGRA. SAGA HÅKONAR GODA. SAGAN AF HARALDI KONUNGI GRAFELD OK HÅKONI JARLI. SAGA OLAFS TRYGGYASONAR. HEIMSKRINGLA. Prologus. i A b6k pessi lét ek rita fråsagnir um hhfdingja, på er nki hafa haft å nordrlondum ok å danska tungu hafa 5 mælt, svå sem ek hefi heyrt froda menn segja, svå ok ♦ nokkurar kynkvislir peira, eptir pvi sem mér hefir kent - verit; sumt pat er finnst i langfedgatali, pvi er konungar i_ ! hafa rakit kyn sitt, eda adrir storættadir menn, en sumt j er ritat eptir fornum kvædum e8a soguljodum, er menn [ 10 hafa haft til skemtanar sér. En p6 at vér vitim eigi j sannyndi å pvi, [>å vitum vér dæmi til pess, at gamlir } frædimenn hafa slikt fyrir satt haft. Pjodolfr or Hvini var skåld Haraids hins hårfagra; hann orti ok um Rhgn- vald konung heidum-hæra kvædi pat, er kaliat er Yngl-"1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Prose Edda
    THE PROSE EDDA SNORRI STURLUSON (1179–1241) was born in western Iceland, the son of an upstart Icelandic chieftain. In the early thirteenth century, Snorri rose to become Iceland’s richest and, for a time, its most powerful leader. Twice he was elected law-speaker at the Althing, Iceland’s national assembly, and twice he went abroad to visit Norwegian royalty. An ambitious and sometimes ruthless leader, Snorri was also a man of learning, with deep interests in the myth, poetry and history of the Viking Age. He has long been assumed to be the author of some of medieval Iceland’s greatest works, including the Prose Edda and Heimskringla, the latter a saga history of the kings of Norway. JESSE BYOCK is Professor of Old Norse and Medieval Scandinavian Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Professor at UCLA’s Cotsen Institute of Archaeology. A specialist in North Atlantic and Viking Studies, he directs the Mosfell Archaeological Project in Iceland. Prof. Byock received his Ph.D. from Harvard University after studying in Iceland, Sweden and France. His books and translations include Viking Age Iceland, Medieval Iceland: Society, Sagas, and Power, Feud in the Icelandic Saga, The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki and The Saga of the Volsungs: The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer. SNORRI STURLUSON The Prose Edda Norse Mythology Translated with an Introduction and Notes by JESSE L. BYOCK PENGUIN BOOKS PENGUIN CLASSICS Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
    [Show full text]
  • Norse Mythology
    ^^^m,'^^^' Section .tP 231922 NORSE OB, THE RELIGION OF OUR FOREFATHERS, CONTAINING ALL THE MYTHS OF THE EDDAS, SYSTEMATIZED AND INTEEPEETED. AN INTRODUCTION, VOCABULARY AND INDEX. By E. B. ANDERSON, A.M., PROFESSOR OF THE SCANDINAVIAN LANGUAGES IN THE UNIVERSITY OP WISCONSIN, AUTHOR OP "AMERICA NOT DISCOVERED BY COLUMBUS," "den NORSKE MAALSAG," ETC. CHICAGO: S. C. GKIGGS AND COMPANY. LONDON. TRUBNER & CO. 1875. COPTKIGHT 1875. By 8. C, GRIGGS AND COMPANY. I KMIGHT St LEONARD I ELECTROTYPED BY A. ZEESE <tl CO. TO HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW, THE AMERICAN POET, WHO HAS NOT ONLY REFRESHED HIMSELF AT THE CASTALIAN FOUNTAIN, BUT ALSO COMMUNED WITH BRAGE, AND TAKEN DEEP DRAUGHTS FROM THE WELLS OF URD AND MIMER, THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED, WITH THE GRATEFUl. REVERENCE OF THE AUTHOR. I think Scandinavian Paganism, to us here, is more interesting than any other. It is, for one thing, the latest ; it continued in these regions of Europe till the eleventh century : eight hundred years ago the Norwegians were still worshipers of Odin. It is interesting also as the creed of our fathers ; the men whose blood still runs in our veins, whom doubtless we still resemble in so many ways. Strange : they did believe that, while we believe so differently. Let us look a little at this poor Norse creed, for many reasons. We have tolerable means to do it ; for there is another point of interest in these Scandinavian mythologies : that they have been preserved so well. Neither is there no use in knowing something about this old Paganism of our fathers. Unconsciously, and combined with higher things, it is in us yet, that old faith withal.
    [Show full text]
  • The Karlamagnús Compendium
    Háskóli Íslands Hugvísindasvið Medieval Icelandic Studies The Karlamagnús Compendium Genre and Meaning in AM 180a-b fol. Ritgerð til M.A.-prófs Harry Williams Kt.: 151183-4419 Leiðbeinandi: Svanhildur Óskarsdóttir September 2017 Abstract This thesis is an examination of the fifteenth century manuscript AM 180a-b fol.; made up of a copy of the A version of Karlamagnús saga (180a) and seven further sagas - Konráðs saga keisarasonar, Dunstanus saga, Katrínar saga, Bærings saga, Knýtlinga saga, Vitus saga and Laurentius saga (180b), it originally formed one codex. The thesis has two main aims: to consider the generic position of Karlamagnús saga as it existed for the compilers of the manuscript and to speculate on the producers, purpose and use of the manuscript by means of a holistic consideration of its parts. The first aim is prompted by viewing the sagas of 180b as a reflection of the generic ambiguity of Karlamagnús saga. While patently belonging to the riddarasögur, Karlamagnús saga has affinities with hagiography and the konungasögur; representatives of these three generic classes are to be found in 180b. Structured by the theme of saintliness, in which a chronological line of saintly figures is presented, as well as shared geographical referents, the codex is marked by a wide-ranging intellectual curiosity. This is attributed to the concerns of the North Icelandic Benedictine School, the presence of which is marked in the manuscript, and to the wider intellectual atmosphere of fourteenth century Iceland in which saints' lives and romances were possibly written by the same people. 2 Ágrip Þessi ritgerð skoðar fimmtándu aldar handritið AM 180a-b fol.; sem samanstendur af A gerð Karlamagnúsar sögu (180a) ásamt sjö öðrum sögum- Konráðs sögu keisarasonar, Dunstanusar sögu, Katrínar sögu, Bærings sögu, Knýtlinga sögu, Vitus sögu og Laurentiusar sögu (180b), sem upphaflega mynduðu saman eitt handrit.
    [Show full text]
  • Old Norse Mythology and the Ring of the Nibelung
    Declaration in lieu of oath: I, Erik Schjeide born on: July 27, 1954 in: Santa Monica, California declare, that I produced this Master Thesis by myself and did not use any sources and resources other than the ones stated and that I did not have any other illegal help, that this Master Thesis has not been presented for examination at any other national or international institution in any shape or form, and that, if this Master Thesis has anything to do with my current employer, I have informed them and asked their permission. Arcata, California, June 15, 2008, Old Norse Mythology and The Ring of the Nibelung Master Thesis zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades “Master of Fine Arts (MFA) New Media” Universitätslehrgang “Master of Fine Arts in New Media” eingereicht am Department für Interaktive Medien und Bildungstechnologien Donau-Universität Krems von Erik Schjeide Krems, July 2008 Betreuer/Betreuerin: Carolyn Guertin Table of Contents I. Abstract 1 II. Introduction 3 III. Wagner’s sources 7 IV. Wagner’s background and The Ring 17 V. Das Rheingold: Mythological beginnings 25 VI. Die Walküre: Odin’s intervention in worldly affairs 34 VII. Siegfried: The hero’s journey 43 VIII. Götterdämmerung: Twilight of the gods 53 IX. Conclusion 65 X. Sources 67 Appendix I: The Psychic Life Cycle as described by Edward Edinger 68 Appendix II: Noteworthy Old Norse mythical deities 69 Appendix III: Noteworthy names in The Volsung Saga 70 Appendix IV: Summary of The Thidrek Saga 72 Old Norse Mythology and The Ring of the Nibelung I. Abstract As an MFA student in New Media, I am creating stop-motion animated short films.
    [Show full text]
  • Der Herr Der Bilder. Vorstellungslenkung Und Perspektivierung Im „Laurin“*
    4 10.3726/92140_487 487 BJÖRN REICH Der Herr der Bilder. Vorstellungslenkung und Perspektivierung im „Laurin“* „Czu Berne waz geseßen / eyn degen so vormeßen /der waz geheysen Dytherich“ 1 (VV. 1 ff.) – so lauten die ersten Verse des Laurin. Dieser Prolog mit der waz gesezzen- Formel und dem anschließenden ‚Heldenvergleich‘, wie er sich ähnlich im Sigenot oder 2 Eckenlied findet, bildet den typischen Textbeginn für die aventiurehafte Dietrichepik. Wie so oft geht es um die Frage nach der Exzellenz Dietrichs von Bern. Diese Exzellenz – wiewohl zunächst im Herrscherlob bestätigt („sie pristen en vor alle man“, V. 19) – wird (ähnlich wie im Eckenlied) sogleich durch Hildebrand in Frage gestellt, der darauf hinweist, dass Dietrich die Aventiure der Zwerge unbekannt sei. Es geht wieder einmal 3 darum, das Heldentum Dietrichs auszuloten oder besser, das ‚Bild‘/die imago, die Vorstel- lung von dem, was bzw. wer ‚Dietrich‘ sei, zu umkreisen, denn die fama Dietrichs sichert ihm nie einen festen Status, immer wieder keimen Zweifel an seinem Heldentum auf.4 Bei der Frage nach dem ‚Bild‘ Dietrichs von Bern, also der Frage danach, ob die positiven Vorstellungen, die man sich von Dietrich macht, gerechtfertigt sind oder nicht, ist der Laurin ein besonders interessanter Text: Dietrich bekommt es hier mit einem Gegner zu tun, der sich als ein wahrer Meister der ‚Bilder‘ und grandioser Manipula- tor von Vorstellungen entpuppt. Im Folgenden soll gezeigt werden, welche bildsteuernde, imaginationsbeeinflussende Kraft der Zwerg Laurin besitzt und wie sie zur Gefahr für Dietrich und seine Gesellen wird (I.). An das Thema der imaginativen Manipulation anschließend, wird die Handlung des Textes einem ständigen Wechsel von Perspek- tivierungen unterworfen (II.).
    [Show full text]
  • Thor's Return of the Giant Geirrod's Red-Hot Missile Seen in a Cosmic Context
    Thor’s Return of the Giant Geirrod’s Red-Hot Missile Seen in a Cosmic Context EMILY LYLE University of Edinburgh Abstract Discussion of the specific episode is preceded by a brief presentation of current theory concerning Indo-European myth in its cosmological framework to provide context. In the cosmological view sketched by Michael Witzel inThe Origins of the World’s Mythologies, the hero/young god must engage in a series of feats to create the conditions for human life to flourish. I have suggested that the conditions before the hero’s actions in the Indo-European context are envisaged as the extremes: too close; too hot; too dry; and too wet. It is argued that this particular threat is ‘too hot’ and comes from a giant figure who is one of the old gods, probably identifiable as Odin. When Geirrod throws a red-hot missile at Thor, Thor catches it and kills the giant when he sends it back. The related stories of Thor’s visit to Utgarthaloki and Thorstein’s visit to Geirrod are also treated, and attention is drawn to Welsh and Irish parallels which make an equivalence between thrown weapon and destructive gaze. It is suggested that the story may culminate in the motif of eye as star found separately. Keywords: Edda, giants, Indo-European cosmology, Odin, Old Norse mythology, Thor In order that the proposed cosmic interpretation of the specific episode of Thor’s return of Geirrod’s missile can be received and considered, it may be helpful to provide preliminary notes on the whole cosmological approach now available to scholars.
    [Show full text]
  • The Children of Odin
    Conditions and Terms of Use Copyright © Heritage History 2009 Some rights reserved This text was produced and distributed by Heritage History, an organization dedicated to the preservation of classical juvenile history books, and to the promotion of the works of traditional history authors. The books which Heritage History republishes are in the public domain and are no longer protected by the original copyright. They may therefore be reproduced within the United States without paying a royalty to the author. The text and pictures used to produce this version of the work, however, are the property of Heritage History and are licensed to individual users with some restrictions. These restrictions are imposed for the purpose of protecting the integrity of the work itself, for preventing plagiarism, and for helping to assure that compromised or incomplete versions of the work are not widely disseminated. In order to preserve information regarding the origin of this text, a copyright by the author, and a Heritage History distribution date are included at the foot of every page of text. We request all electronic and printed versions of this text include these markings and that users adhere to the following restrictions. 1) This text may be reproduced for personal or educational purposes as long as the original copyright and Heritage History version number are faithfully reproduced. 2) You may not alter this text or try to pass off all or any part of it as your own work. 3) You may not distribute copies of this text for commercial purposes unless you have the prior written consent of Heritage History.
    [Show full text]