Icelandic Eddas/Sagas

[trippy star]

Well, the thread title is self explanitory; who else enjoys Icelandic literature, what is your favourite, and why?

I am particularly fond of stanza 57 of Volupso, from the Poetic Edda, in which the wise woman tells of the beginnings of the world after ragnarock.

57. The sun turns black, | earth sinks in the sea,
The hot stars down | from heaven are whirled;
Fierce grows the steam | and the life-feeding flame,
Till fire leaps high | about heaven itself.

[kiz_paws]

Hello, well I have inherited the Laexdala Saga from my father, who insists that I read it. Not a chore, considering that I am of the heritage and really ought to be a little more educated along these lines.

For those not familiar with the work, a bit of a blurb I found from trusty Google:


"...The saga builds a complex, detailed web of colourful characters; you see their histories and motives laid out over generations, until events build to the beginning of a horrendous series of feuds. Women in pre-Christian Iceland had equal rights under the law, accumulating wealth, founding families, travelling. Everyone seems very proud and ready to draw their noble swords and do some slaying..."
Have you read this? I'll have to let you know how it goes. Cheers, Kizzo :)

[Taliesin]

Ah, the Poetic Edda, one of our favorites. The whole Voluspa in itself is a masterpiece. We have thought of learning it by heart (well, except the list of dwarves) and reciting it since it has so much power.


47. Hard is it on earth, | with mighty whoredom;
Axe-time, sword-time, | shields are sundered,
Wind-time, wolf-time, | ere the world falls;
Nor ever shall men | each other spare.

46. Fast move the sons | of Mim, and fate
Is heard in the note | of the Gjallarhorn;
Loud blows Heimdall, | the horn is aloft,
In fear quake all | who on Hel-roads are.

47. Yggdrasil shakes, | and shiver on high
The ancient limbs, | and the giant is loose;
To the head of Mim | does Othin give heed,
But the kinsman of Surt | shall slay him soon.

48. How fare the gods? | how fare the elves?
All Jotunheim groans, | the gods are at council;
Loud roar the dwarfs | by the doors of stone,
The masters of the rocks: | would you know yet more?



Also We have read the Burnt-Njall saga which was quite interesting. Lots of characters, lots of blood, laws, coming of Christianity, old religion, outcasting, sea, Iceland, Norway,vendetta.

[quasimodo1]

"Gefion from Gylve drove away,
To add new land to Denmark's sway --
Blythe Gefion ploughing in the smoke
That steamed up from her oxen-yoke:
Four heads, eight forehead stars had they,
Bright gleaming, as she ploughed away;
Dragging new lands from the deep main
To join them to the sweet isle's plain." {part of an anonymous saga, written in Norway and Iceland} [great link pertaining to Icelandic sagas...http://phwibbles.com/sagas/ ]

[B-Mental]

I read Njall's Saga, which was mainly about families killing each other and the families making peace and then warring again. Really got into it. I can't remember any favorite verses though.

[Dark Muse]

Loki is one of my faveorite of the Norse gods, so I rather like Lokasenna, The Flyting of Loki

And here are a few of my favorite lines:

12

Bragi:
I will give you a mare, a mace also,
And, to better the bargain, a ring,
To refrain, Loki, from malicious words,
Inciting the gods against you.


13

Loki:
Neither horses nor arm-rings have you to give,
For you lack both, Bragi,
Of all who sit here, elves and gods,
The most backward in battle,
The shyest when arrows are shot.


14

Bragi:
If I were outside, not sitting at table
In Aegir's banquet hall,
My arm would have your head from your neck,
With pain repay your lies.


15

Loki:
Boldly you speak, less boldly you act,
Bragi, the bench-ornament:
If you are angry, come out and fight,
A hero should feel no fear.