Hollander essay question on our facebook page where fellow bookworms are always glad to help. Keeps a poetic flare and has extensive notes at the bottom. Translations are very scarce and typically come from only a couple sources. The manuscript was written by one hand not known elsewhere, and is dated palaeographically to about 12701280. The codex regius is arguably the most important extant source on norse mythology and germanic heroic. The prose edda, also known as the younger edda, snorris edda or simply edda, is an old norse work of literature written in iceland in the early th century. The poetic edda second edition, revised translated by lee. It takes the form of a working edition of the mythological poems of the ancient norse poetic edda for modern pagans who practice the.
It is a collection of mythological and heroic poems of unknown authorship, composed over a long read more. Anthony faulkes edda is similarly well noted and well written. I would recommend reading the byock translation of the prose edda first, then the byock translation of the volsunga saga, then the poetic edda. He was a longterm faculty member and head of the department of germanic studies at the university of texas at austin and published many translations of old norse texts. The poetic edda is a collection of old norse poems primarily preserved in the icelandic.
There are only a few translations of the poetic edda available. Together with the poetic edda, it comprises the major store of scandinavian mythology. For the prose edda, these two english translations are equally acceptable. The poetic edda by carolyne larrington translator in djvu, doc, rtf download ebook. The poetic edda carolyne larrington oxford university. Hollander, 1986 excerpted from the poetic edda, published by university of texas press. Translating the poetic edda into english 29 hollanders translation is still frequently reprinted. Hollander and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Edda, body of ancient icelandic literature contained in two thcentury books commonly distinguished as the prose, or younger, edda and the poetic, or elder, edda. The poetic edda comprises a treasure trove of mythic and spiritual verse. The prose edda was written by the icelandic chieftain, poet, and historian snorri sturluson, probably in 122223.
Havamal, notable for its unforgettable flashes of beauty and despair, explores the nature of human knowledge. An introduction to the poetic or elder edda, the most important surviving source of norse mythology, and the difference between it and snorri sturlusons prose or younger edda. Hollanders translation of the poetic edda is the most widely avalible of the poetic edda translations. The poetic edda begins with the seeresss prophecy which recounts the creation of the world, and looks forward to its destruction and rebirth. There are satisfactory translations in norwegian and swedish probably more so than in english. With an overdrive account, you can save your favorite libraries for ataglance information about availability. The oneeyed odin, redbearded thor, loki the trickster, the lovely goddesses and. Along with snorri sturlusons prose edda, the poetic edda is the most important extant source on norse mythology and germanic heroic legends. These verses are a treasure trove of mythic and spiritual verse holding an important.
As an alternative, the kindle ebook is available now and can be read on any device with the free kindle app. Jackson crawfords recent version of the poetic edda keeps much of the original meaning of the words, but uses very simple accessible language. In this great collection of norseicelandic mythological and heroic poetry, the exploits of gods and humans are related. In some cases old poems can have been interpolated with younger verses or merged with other poems. He was a minor poet in his own right and was basically able to preserve the original form of the edda, at the cost of some awkward or incongruous language. Although some of the meanings have been changed to preserve the rhyme and meter of old norse poetry, the essence of the eddas are still there. Bray and bellows combine stroke and shillings for a nearalliterative effect, but suggesting. Part i, prologue and gylfaginning, was published by the clarendon press, oxford, in 1982, and reissued in paperback by the viking society for northern research in 1988.
The prose edda and poetic edda have some stories in common but generally its better to read the prose first. The poetic edda by carolyne larrington, paperback barnes. Some poems similar to those found in codex regius are also included in some editions of the poetic edda. The poetic edda second edition, revised translated by lee m.
The prose edda of snorri sturlson translated by arthur gilchrist brodeur 1916 the prose edda is a text on old norse poetics, written about 1200 by the norwegian poet and politican snorri sturlson, who also wrote the heimskringla. Several versions exist, all primarily of text from the icelandic medieval manuscript known as the codex regius, which contains 31 poems. Lee milton hollander november 8, 1880 october 19, 1972 was an american scholar of norse literature and mythology. The prose edda contains a wide variety of lore which a skald poet of the time would need to know. What are the best translations of the prose edda by. The earlier is by lee hollander, who was a professor of germanic studies at ut. It is the fullest and most detailed source for modern knowledge of germanic mythology. The poems of the poetic edda form the most complete and authentic body of surviving prechristian germanic religious and magical lore. The poetic edda is a later manuscript dating from the second half of the th century, but containing older materials hence its alternative title, the elder edda. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Its tales of strife and death form a repository, in poetic form, of norse mythology and heroic lore, embodying both the ethical views and the cultural life of the north during the late heathen and early christian times.
The poetic edda ursula dronke oxford university press. It takes the form of a working edition of the mythological poems of the ancient norse poetic edda for modern pagans who practice the magic and religion of the north. These amazing texts from a thcentury icelandic manuscript are of huge historical, mythological and literary importance, containing the lions share of information that survives today about the gods and heroes of pre. Its tales of strife and death form a repository, in poetic form, of norse mythology and heroic lore, embodying both the ethical views and the cultural life of the north during the late heathen and. Hollander attempts to convey the alliteration of the original poems, but his language is a bit archaic at times. Students of historical literature, mythology, and modern day asatruar would all benifit from this work. The poems of the poetic edda have waited a long time for a modern english translation that would do them justice. This volume presents four of the most intricate and fascinating mythological poems of the poetic edda, with parallel translations and individual introductions and commentaries. Loosed in translation which translation is best poetic. Poetic edda the by lee m hollander translator abebooks. Along with the prose edda, the poetic edda is the most expansive source on norse mythology. A second, corrected edition was published by the viking society in 2005. Lee hollanders is quite possibly the mostused version in modern heathenry, followed closely by caroline larringtons translation. Codex regius of the poetic edda is an icelandic manuscript of ninety small quarto pages, but the fifth gathering, probably 16 pages, is now lost.
As an alternative, the kindle ebook is available now and can be read on any device with the free kindle. Volume i of the copenhagen poetic edda not only furnished texts of the rest of the mythological. The poetic edda comprises a treasure trove of mythic and spiritual verse holding an important place in nordic culture, literature, and heritage. If youre writing a the poetic edda essay and need some advice, post your lee m. Pdf translating the poetic edda carolyne larrington. Critical editions of the poetic edda in pdf format at the.
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