Above, they told him about the wolf chasing Sun, and how it will catch her at the time when the universe is being destroyed. Thor remained there over night. In the Gylfaginning, Snorri approached the Norse tales from the beginning down to Ragnark, which makes them much easier to digest. And then where did light and dark come from?" Thereupon asked Ganglere: On what did the cow subsist? He organizes the tales much easier for the reader to understand. The dart pierced him and he fell dead to the ground. Thus it is said: Her hall is Sesrymner, and it is large and beautiful. So it is here said: Then said Ganglere: Do any gods live then? Their son was Day, who was light and fair after his father. What is your understanding of The Deluding of Gylfi? (Summary by Becky Cook) Listen to Chapter 41 | 41 - The Deluding of Gylfi . 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. Ganglere asked: Which are the goddesses? But Winter's father is grim and mean, and he is called Wind-Bringer or Cold-Wind. These children follow Moon, as may be seen from earth. Back to Text But what have you done with my glove? Then asked Ganglere: Whose offspring are these wolves? A great loss it was to him when he fought with Bele; and this I know, forsooth, that he must have repented of that gift. Har answered: Of no great account was his meeting with Bele. Hence is the saying that he hlins who is forewarned. It's called the delusion of Gylfi because Snorri accepted the Old Norse sagas as nothing more than myths. The meaning seems to stem from the understanding of bellows as tools from a blacksmith's forge. He and his wife went on board his ark and saved themselves in it. While its the most prolific retelling of the surviving stories in the Poetic Edda, it wasnt its original intention. What! He is fair of face and so bright that rays of light issue from him; and there is a plant so white that it is likened unto Balders brow, and it is the whitest of all plants. The Deluding of Gylfi by kenya scott - Prezi She is called skee-goddess or skee-dis. Then they went out into the lake called Amsvartner, to the holm (rocky island) called Lyngve, and called the wolf to go with them. 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. Thither come also the sons of Thor, Mode and Magne, and they have Mjolner. 10 Dagr. He knew about the wolves, really. This scene is from the Deluding of Gylfi in Gylfaginning in Snorri 's Edda. Then he thought to himself what stratagems the asas might have recourse to in order to catch him. Then Thor thought he had found out what noise it was that they had heard in the night. It is not necessary to dwell on this part of the story. Back to Text, 11 All-father is a name for inn. The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson - Paperback - University of The Fenris-wolf gets loose. Answered Har: That I can well explain to you. This summary contains a summary of the Prose Edda, p. 3-108 (Prologue, Gylfaginning or The Deluding of Gylfi and Skaldskaparmal or Poetic Diction), with Lecture notes on Eddic Poetry and Gods? They brought it to the wolf, and bade him try his strength on the fetter. Ganglere asked: Does Odin have the same kind of food as the einherjes? Utgard-Loke went with them out of the burg, but at parting he spoke to Thor and asked him how he thought his journey had turned out, or whether he ever met a mightier man than himself. He may even have made some things up! The one hight Skol, he runs after her; she fears him and he will one day overtake her. Some experts think that "iron-coal" may be a mistake in the original text of the story for "iron-cold". The sir whom Gylfi/Gangleri asks his questions of are called High One, Just-as-High, and Third. It is built of red gold, and is called Sindre. This I know, forsooth, that many a one comes to Valhal who would think he was paying a big price for his water-drink, if there were no better reception to be found there,persons, namely, who have died from wounds and pain. Surt is the name of him who stands on its border guarding it. Then Njord sent for Skirner, Freys servant, bade him go to Frey and ask him with whom he was so angry, since he would speak to nobody. She took from the north, from Jotunheim, four oxen, which were the sons of a giant and her, and set them before the plow. When she alighted, Odin appointed four berserks to take care of her steed, but they were unable to hold him except by throwing him down on the ground. There the gods meet in council every day. enlighteningthegylfi / Summary - PBworks He remembered his other questions. Then said Ganglere: Wonderful tidings are these I now hear; a wondrous great building is this, and deftly constructed. He is the wisest, mildest and most eloquent of all the asas; and such is his nature that none can alter the judgment he has pronounced. Answered Har: The next thing was that when the rime melted into drops, there was made thereof a cow, which hight Audhumbla. 2 Ginnungahimin (or Ginnungagap) was the name for the primal, undifferentiated cosmos that existed before everything else and was the source for all things. How does he steer the path of the sun and moon? Thus is it here said: Then said Ganglere: How comes it that summer is so hot, but the winter so cold? If all things, said she, both quick and dead, will weep for him, then he shall go back to the asas, but if anything refuses to shed tears, then he shall remain with Hel. He is boiled every day and is whole again in the evening. Vale they changed into the likeness of a wolf, whereupon he tore his brother Narfe to pieces, with whose intestines the asas bound Loke over the three rocks. When you drank from the horn, and thought that it diminished so little, then, by my troth, it was a great wonder, which I never could have deemed possible. Then quivers the ash Ygdrasil, and all things in heaven and earth fear and tremble. That's why Winter himself is so nasty and grim. 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. A certain man who was called Mundilfari had two children. Har answered: It is true, as you remark, that there is a great throng; many more are yet to come there, and still they will be thought too few when the wolf comes. 1 Snorri has Third describe Muspellsheimr (or Muspell) in this way: "It is light and hot and that region flames and burns so that those who do not belong to it and whose native land it is not, cannot endure it." Shortly before daybreak he heard that Skrymer had fallen asleep. The first book of Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, the Gylfaginning ( Tricking of Gylfi ), contains a question-and-answer game in which Gylfi's questions reveal the nature of the Norse cosmos. Neither the sea nor Surts fire has harmed them, and they dwell on the plains of Ida, where Asgard was before. 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. The gods made it and thatched it with sheer silver. He was standing there for some time, smiling, when he realized that Third had stopped talking. From: Bartholin, Thomas. Jord, the mother of Thor, and Rind, Vales mother, are numbered among the goddesses. When I first found you in the woods I came to meet you, and when you were to loose the provision-sack I had bound it with iron threads, but you did not find where it was to be untied. Back to Text, 2 Ginnungahimin (or Ginnungagap) was the name for the primal, undifferentiated cosmos that existed before everything else and was the source for all things. Thereupon they built a forge; made hammer, tongs, anvil, and with these all other tools. It is said that the giant Hymer changed hue and grew pale from fear when he saw the serpent and beheld the water flowing into the boat; but just at the moment when Thor grasped the hammer and lifted it in the air, the giant fumbled for his fishing-knife and cut off Thors line at the gunwale, whereby the serpent sank back into the sea. Then answered Har: Why do you not ask how many doors there are in Valhal, and how large they are? Then said Ganglere: How does he steer the course of the sun and the moon? 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. One-half of her is blue, and the other half is of the hue of flesh; hence she is easily known. It can be argued that Snorri used this narrative device as a means of being able to safely document a vanishing and largely oral tradition within a Christian context. ", Gylfi's frown flatted until he smiled, "Yes, I see. She enjoys sitting on her deck with a cup of coffee reading books on Norse myths, deities and the fantastic stories behind each and every Norse god. 3 Vlusp ("The Sibyl's Prophecy")was poem describing the beginning and end of the world. MyNDIR: The Deluding of Gylfi He had to know not just for his people. Both ate as fast as they could, and met at the middle of the trough. Then they took the first heat, and Huge was so much ahead that when he turned at the goal he met Thjalfe. Hafniae: Bockenhoffer, 1689. He girded himself with his Megingjarder, whereby his asa-might increased. Finding the door open they entered, and saw there many men, the most of whom were immensly large, sitting on two benches. Skrymer proposed that they should lay their store of provisions together, to which Thor consented. It was also agreed that no man should help him with the work. THE DELUDING OF GYLFI. 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. The following are the names of the horses of the gods: Sleipner is the best one; he belongs to Odin, and he had eight feet. At the universes beginning, Odin, Vili, and V killed a giant named Ymir. ThePoetic Eddais dense, scattered, and sometimes hard to follow. He howls terribly, and the saliva which runs from his mouth forms a river called Von. Ginnunga means something like "magical, mighty" and himin literally means "heaven". Thus it is said in the short Prophecy of the Vala (the Lay of Hyndla): Then said Ganglere: Where did Ymer dwell, and on what did he live? Gylfaginning Explained Then Thor laid goat-skins away from the fireplace, and requested the bonde and his household to cast the bones onto the skins. He inhabits the place in heaven called Breidablik, and there nothing unclean can enter. 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. The people wanted to know where the Sun came from, why it got so cold in the winter, and what will happen to the world in the future. When the net was made, the asas went to the river and cast it into the force. About midnight there was a great earthquake; the ground trembled beneath them, and the house shook. It is so strong that it moves great seas, and fans fires to flame, and yet, strong as it is, it cannot be seen. Thus says the Prophecy of the Vala: Then said Ganglere: Whence comes the wind? Hoder stood far to one side in the ring of men, because he was blind. Then said Ganglere: This I must surely understand to be true. Then they took Lokes sons, Vale and Nare or Narfe. Then took Alfather Night and her son Day, gave them two horses and two cars, and set them up in heaven to drive around the earth, each in twelve hours by turns. He had a daughter who is called Night.5 She was swarthy and dark, like her relatives. When they had proceeded a short distance, there stood before them a great wood, through which they kept going the whole day until dark. He also took into consideration that it was necessary to expose ones self to some danger if he desired to become famous; so he let them put the fetter on him. 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. In this hall is the high-seat, which is called Hlidskjalf, and when Alfather sits in this seat, he sees over all the world. A giantess in Jotunheim, hight Angerboda. Then Utgard-Loke asked what game that young man knew? When the fetter was brought to the asas, they thanked the messenger for doing his errand so well. Odin rides first; with his golden helmet, resplendent byrnie, and his spear Gungner, he advances against the Fenris-wolf. The Swedish people trusted their king and expected him to know answers to all questions. There Gefjun set the land, gave it a name and called it Seeland. Their first work was to erect a court, where there were seats for all the twelve, and, besides, a high-seat for Alfather. Gylfaginning (Old Norse: 'The Beguiling of Gylfi' or 'The Deluding of Gylfi';[1][2] c. 20,000 words; 13th century Old Norse pronunciation [lvan]) is the first part of the 13th century Prose Edda after the Prologue. Third laughed so hard he nearly choked to death. Odins steed, Sleipner, was led forth. It is also a fact that it is no more difficult to find room within than to get in. Thus it is said: Then Ganglere heard a terrible noise on all sides, and when he looked about him he stood out-doors on a level plain. He left his goats there and went on his way east into Jotunheim, clear to the sea, and then he went on across the deep ocean, and went ashore on the other side, together with Loke and Thjalfe and Roskva. 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. Then there sprang forth on the floor a gray cat, and it was rather large. In setting up the deluding of Gyfi, he tells the reader that the sagas told within its pages are tall tales. After her, men and women who are wise are called Snotras. The whole universe was a cold giant named Ymir. Is there any earth or heaven? GEFJON's PLOUGHING. They took his huge skull and made the sky. But as to the question you just asked, it seems to me there are but few men so wise that they are able to answer it correctly. 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. where their places were. Why do you ride the way to Hel? What was before? 16 A possible meaning of the name Vindlni. Night rides first on the horse which is called Hrimfaxe, and every morning he bedews the earth with the foam from his bit. 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. He didn't realize that they were chasing Sun and Moon all of this time. Skirner said that he would go, though he was loth to do so, as it was probable that he would get evil words in reply. While Gangleri approached three gods not found within the germanic myths, they were Odin in disguise. The steed, knowing what sort of horse this was, grew excited, burst the reins asunder and ran after the mare, but she ran from him into the woods. Men should invoke him in single combat. Made answer Har: Alfather he is called in our tongue, but in Asgard of old he had twelve names. Then said Ganglere: What tidings are to be told of Ragnarok? In the morning, just before daybreak, he arose, dressed himself, took the hammer Mjolner, lifted it and hallowed the goat-skins. But the truth must be told, that there was no fearless sleeping. 7 The name Annarr seems to be the same as the word annarr, meaning "other, second". Thor held his hammer by the handle, ready to defend himself. He asked what the names of these chiefs were. The thirteenth is Snotra, who is wise and courtly. He went into the hall, called his cup-bearer, and requested him to take the sconce-horn that his thanes were wont to drink from. He completely understood that a cow could like people free from ice. Then they took a second heat, and when Huge came to the goal and turned, there was a long bolt-shot to Thjalfe. The Fenris-wolf advances with wide open mouth; the upper jaw reaches to heaven and the lower jaw is on the earth. Her table hight famine; her knife, starvation. This is the reason why Frey was unarmed when he fought with Bele, and slew him with a harts horn. Their father is named Vifinnr. He drank as long as he could and drank deep, as he was wont, but still he could not make the tip of the horn come up as much as he would like. He will catch it, of course, when the world ends. Then went the plow so hard and deep that it tore up the land, and the oxen drew it westward into the sea, until it stood still in a sound. He is a master-skald, and from him song-craft is called brag (poetry), and such men or women are called brag-men and brag-women. He possess three valuable treasures. Then answered he who came in last, namely Loke: I know the feat of which I am prepared to give proof, that there is no one present who can eat his food faster than I. Hymer answered that he would get but little help from Thor, as he was so small and young; and he added, you will get cold if I row as far out and remain as long as I am wont. In the stories retold in this book of the Prose Edda, we learn much about the Norse gods and their home in Asgard. There waxed the serpent so that he lies in the midst of the ocean, surrounds all the earth, and bites his own tail. Then came Utgard-Loke and had the table spread for them, and there was no lack of feasting both in food and in drink. The fifth is Fulla, who is also a may, she wears her hair flowing and has a golden ribbon about her head; she carries Friggs chest, takes care of her shoes and knows her secrets. Thride added: They took his skull and made thereof the sky, and raised it over the earth with four sides. Gylfaginning Explained. Then Thor turned away to where he saw a herd of oxen, that belonged to Hymer. Then said Utgard-Loke: Now I will tell you the truth, since you have come out of the burg, that if I live, and may have my way, you shall never enter it again; and this I know, forsooth, that you should never have come into it had I before known that you were so strong, and that you had come so near bringing us into great misfortune. It is difficult to tell how genuine the myths Snorri wrote about are. Gylfi took a deep breath, closed his eyes so he could not see them smile, and asked, "Why is there such a great difference that summer should be hot but winter cold?". HE has a conversation with 3 Aesir and wins a competition in which the Aesir's idea of the afterlife is disproved. The light-elves are fairer than the sun to look upon, but the dark-elves are blacker than pitch. Alfather once came there and asked for a drink from the well, but he did not get it before he left one of his eyes as a pledge. His wife hight Sygin, and their sone, Nare, or Narfe. When the asas saw whither he went they proceeded up to the force, dividing themselves into two bands, but Thor waded in the middle of the stream, and so they dragged the net along to the sea. Moon guides the course of the moon, and rules its waxing and waning. The tenth is Vor, who is so wise and searching that nothing can be concealed from her. Gylfi was very excited, these Aesir seemed rather friendly, and blurted right out, "I would like to know how the world began! Then they took a large stone, which is called Tvite, and drove it still deeper into the ground, and used this stone for a fastening-pin. 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. Did an acorn fall onto my head? 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. This time they hung a great weight to it, making it so heavy that nothing could possibly pass under it. World Mythology, Volume 1: Gods and Creation, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The hammer sank up to the handle. First of all came Odin, accompanied by Frigg and the valkyries and his ravens. Third giggled, and Just-as-High thumped him in the chest. Then said Ganglere: Who guards this palace when Surts fire burns up heaven and earth? Then quoth he: He saw three high-seats, one above the other, and in each sat a man. The tale is not long. Then Utgard-Loke stepped forward, bade them cease the wrestling, and added that Thor did not need to challenge anybody else to wrestle with him in his hall, besides it was now getting late. 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). The one who is behind her is Skoll. What can he do? But High One goes on to tell Gangleri/Gylfi this:]. When Thor heard this tale he seized his hammer and lifted it into the air, but when he was about to strike he saw Utgard-Loke nowhere; and when he turned back to the burg and was going to dash that to pieces, he saw a beautiful and large plain, but no burg. Four milk-streams ran from her teats, and she fed Ymer. Their names were High-One, Just-as-High, and Third. Then added Thride: Still there was before a world to the south which hight Muspelheim. PDF ABSTRACT Icelandic Saga. (Under the direction of Dr. John Riddle.) When the gods knew that these three children were being fostered in Jotunheim, and were aware of the prophecies that much woe and misfortune would thence come to them, and considering that much evil might be looked for from them on their mothers side, and still more on their fathers, Alfather sent some of the gods to take the children and bring them to him. It is so large that all the asas, with their weapons and war-gear, can find room on board it, and as soon as the sails are hoisted it has fair wind, no matter whither it is going. He answered: I am to ride to Hel to find Balder. 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. To keep the sky hanging above the earth, they made four dwarfs stand at the corners. Back to Text All their household wares were of gold. What game will you now offer me? World Mythology, Volume 1: Gods and Creation by Jared Aragona is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted. A section of the Prose Edda (the Gylfaginning) is dedicated to Gylfi. Snorri wrote the Prose Edda as an instruction manual on how to write the kind of old-fashioned poetry he liked. Gylfi shook his head in agreement, that's why he was here: to learn not to be tested. 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. The twelfth is Hlin, who guards those men whom Frigg wants to protect from any danger. And when he set the horn away and looked into it, it seemed to him that he had drunk less than the first time; but the horn could now be born without spilling. It is made of the nails of dead men; wherefore it is worth warning that, when a man dies with unpared nails, he supplies a large amount of materials for the building of this ship, which both gods and men wish may be finished as late as possible. It was written after Skaldskaparmal, perfecting the form of a question-answer setting, where the gods answer questions from a curious learner. Balders horse was burned with him. In like manner I deceived you in your contests with my courtiers. She has in heaven a dwelling which is called Folkvang, and when she rides to the battle, one half of the slain belong to her, and the other half to Odin. 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. Her last husband was called Shining One, a relative of ours, actually," High-One smirked proudly, and continued, "and they had a son called Day.". Ale, or Vale, is the son of Odin and Rind. That is their play. After many questions, Gylfi asked about the difference between summer and winter, and this question annoyed the gods. are you awake, Thor? As they ride over Bifrost it breaks to pieces, as has before been stated. Partially because of this, the kind of poetry Snorri liked was becoming unpopular and was being replaced by new styles of poetry. But there is a third, which is above these, and is called Vidblain, and in this heaven we believe this mansion (Gimle) to be situated; but we deem that the light-elves alone dwell in it now. Then said Loke: Do like the others and show honor to Balder; I will show you where he stands; shoot at him with this wand. Made answer Har: The earth is round, and without it round about lies the deep ocean, and along the outer strand of that sea they gave lands for the giant races to dwell in; and against the attack of restless giants they built a burg within the sea and around the earth. Back to Text, 7 The name Annarr seems to be the same as the word annarr, meaning "other, second". ", Gylfi was concerned, "Uh, what about Ymir, the giant? When he told these dreams to the asas they took counsel together, and it was decided that they should seek peace for Balder against all kinds of harm. A great deed it was, forsooth, that Thor wrought on this journey. Its roof was thatched with golden shields as with shingles. Here, Snorri samples the old Poetic Edda poem, the Vlusp, to tell the tale of how the universe came to be. Har answered: Great things are to be said thereof. His brothers are Byleist and Helblinde. He is called Asa-Thor, or Oku-Thor. From them all mankind is descended, and a dwelling-place was given them under Midgard. They discovered a large hall and went to it. The builder hurried after them with all his might, and wanted to catch the steed, but these horses kept running all night, and thus the time was lost, and at dawn the work had not made the usual progress. THE DELUDING OF GYLFI Translated by Jean I. He stretched out his hand and picked up his glove. Even though Gylfi disguises himself as a humble traveler named Gangleri, the sir gods anticipate his arrival and devise a scheme. The sixth is Freyja, who is ranked with Frigg. High-One laughed, and said, a bit sarcastically, "Well, it is not surprising she goes so fast, considering who is following her so closely! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Har answered: Yes, indeed, there are tidings to be told that seemed of far greater importance to the asas. Their names are: The third root of the ash is in heaven, and beneath it is the most sacred fountain of Urd. 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. His father is the giant Farbaute, but his mothers name is Laufey, or Nal. Har answered: A wise man would not ask such a question, for all are able to tell this; but if you alone have become so stupid that you have not heard of it, then I would rather forgive you for asking unwisely once than that you should go any longer in ignorance of what you ought to know. 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. However, eventually High-One said to Gylfi, "A well-informed man would not ask this, because this is known by everyone. That is the name of the man whom we know to be the greatest and most famous, and well may men call him by that name. Back to Text Three roots sustain the tree and stand wide apart; one root is with the asas and another with the frost-giants, where Ginungagap formerly was; the third reaches into Niflheim; under it is Hvergelmer, where Nidhug gnaws the root from below. They were fair of face, and mighty. Gylfi was left in an empty room. He thought they only showed up at the end of the world, when they eat Sun and Moon. Just-as-High sat in his chair with his mouth open so wide that Gylfi could see all of his teeth. Ganglere asks again: Where is this god? Furthermore he said: Nor did it seem less wonderful to me that you lifted up the cat; and, to tell you the truth, all who saw it were frightened when they saw that you raised one of its feet from the ground, for it was not such a cat as you thought. Each question made to High, Just-As-High, and Third is about an aspect of the Norse mythology or its gods, and also about the creation and destruction of the world (Ragnark). Then they heard a great groaning and roaring. When the asas at length, tried to speak, the wailing so choked their voices that one could not describe to the other his sorrow.

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