Norse Mythology

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Norse mythology is something I've always been interested in, if for nor other reason than I'm a fan of the Marvel character of Thor. I've always wanted to get into it more, though. Are there any books that would be a good place to start--a collection of stories maybe, sort of in the vain of the ancient Greek epic poems?

[Darcy88]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPRt6Tt6RyM

[Charles Darnay]

THe poetic Edda

[/dev/null]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPRt6Tt6RyM

Badass. Hadn't listened that album in ages.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPRt6Tt6RyM

YES! Amon Amarth rules! I didn't know you liked metal, Darcy. These boards could use more metal heads (goes for you, too, dev). :cornut:

And thanks, Charles, I'll check it out.

[Raven Falcon.]

The Elder Scroll V: Skyrim is heavily inspired by Norse mythology I think.

Well, maybe it is influenced by the Scottish literature more.

Aren't Scottish cultures somewhat related the Norse mythology?


Correct me if I am wrong.

[Charles Darnay]

The Elder Scroll V: Skyrim is heavily inspired by Norse mythology I think.

Well, maybe it is influenced by the Scottish literature more.

Aren't Scottish culture somewhat related the Norse mythology?


Correct me if I am wrong.

there's a fair bit wrong here....but I'm too tired to correct you right now

[Lokasenna]

In terms of primary texts, the famous trinity comprises of the Poetic Edda, Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, and Völsunga saga. All these are available in translation: the standard translation for the Poetic Edda is Carolyne Larrington's in the Oxford World Classics series, but I rather prefer Andy Orchard's recent translation (though it does bear the rather hideous and inaccurate title of The Elder Edda: A Book of Viking Lore). For the Prose Edda, the best translation hands-down is Anthony Faulkes, which is published by Everyman. Finally, Völsunga saga can be found as The Saga of the Volsungs, translated by Jesse L. Byock for Penguin Classics.

In terms of secondary texts to inform your reading, the rather old but definitive guide to Norse Myth is Gabriel Turville-Petre's Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of Ancient Scandinavia, though good luck finding a copy. More recent books you might be more likely to get copies of would be Margaret Clunies Ross' Prolonged Echoes, Heather O'Donoghue's From Asgard to Valhalla and Chris Abram's recent Myths of the Pagan North: The Gods of the Norsemen.

I can recommend many, many other books if you like, but these are a good place to start. I'm also happy to answer any questions you might have about anything Old Norse... though I'm afraid my knowledge of Marvel is nowhere near as complete! Though if you are particularly interested in Thor, Martin Arnold's recent study Thor: From Myth to Marvel studies the god in his original setting, then analyses his representation in post-medieval Scandinavia, Germany, Britain and America. Heather's book also touches on the post-medieval stuff as well.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Thanks for the response, Lok. So, is the prose Edda and poetic Edda basically the same stories? I found a prose Edda translation (Faulkes) from Penguin. Also, what do you think of Lee Hollander's translation of the poetic Edda? It seems to be the highest rated on Amazon.

[Lokasenna]

Thanks for the response, Lok. So, is the prose Edda and poetic Edda basically the same stories? I found a prose Edda translation (Faulkes) from Penguin. Also, what do you think of Lee Hollander's translation of the poetic Edda? It seems to be the highest rated on Amazon.

The Prose Edda is essentially the 13th century Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson's attempt to forge a coherent and authoritative narrative out of all the diverse poems and stories (and also to write a textbook of poetics). It's best to read both of them, as it provides different perspectives/versions on the tale.

Hollander's translation is what I used as an undergrad, but he writes in a needlessly archaic style, so much so that you practically need a translation for the translation. I rate Andy Orchard's translation the highest of the published ones, though Carolyne Larrington's is the academic standard.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

The Prose Edda is essentially the 13th century Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson's attempt to forge a coherent and authoritative narrative out of all the diverse poems and stories (and also to write a textbook of poetics). It's best to read both of them, as it provides different perspectives/versions on the tale.

Hollander's translation is what I used as an undergrad, but he writes in a needlessly archaic style, so much so that you practically need a translation for the translation. I rate Andy Orchard's translation the highest of the published ones, though Carolyne Larrington's is the academic standard.

Cool. Thanks a lot. But let's say I'm going to get just one for a starter, the poetic Edda or the prose, which do you think it should be?

[Lokasenna]

Cool. Thanks a lot. But let's say I'm going to get just one for a starter, the poetic Edda or the prose, which do you think it should be?

Well, if I had to choose one... it's got to be the Poetic Edda. The Prose Edda is brilliant, but it would not exist were it not for the other.

[Sancho]

Well, today is Odin’s day. And tomorrow is Thor’s day. I love etymology

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Haha, cool.

On a semi-related note, are you at all a fan of the comics, Lok, or are they just not your style. I think I know which is the answer, but I'll refrain from saying.

[Lokasenna]

Haha, cool.

On a semi-related note, are you at all a fan of the comics, Lok, or are they just not your style. I think I know which is the answer, but I'll refrain from saying.

If I'm honest, I've never read any of the Norse-related comic books. Generally speaking, comics aren't my thing. Though I did go to see the Thor film - it was okay, I suppose, but hideously inaccurate as far as the original myths go!

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

If I'm honest, I've never read any of the Norse-related comic books. Generally speaking, comics aren't my thing. Though I did go to see the Thor film - it was okay, I suppose, but hideously inaccurate as far as the original myths go!

My gut feeling as to your answer was correct. :D

[Helga]

I loved the movie Thor, I knew going in that they kinda just took the idea and changed it a whole lot but I still like it.

Norse mythology is very popular here on the ice and I couldn't tell you how many children books and graphic novels have been made. Loki has always been my favorite and all the stories about him and his children, when I was 10 or so I wanted to be called Hel because that is his daughter who rules the underworld and it's a half of my name.

I enjoyed the Eddas, both of them but I also love Gylfaginning and of course all the 'short stories' and Hávamál (I know it is in the poetic Edda I have just read that part so many times and it stands alone in many books).