Svipdagsmál
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Svipdagsmál or The Lay of Svipdag is an Old Norse work, a part of the Elder Edda, comprised of two poems, The Spell of Groa and The Lay of Fjolsvith. The two works are grouped since they have a common narrator, Svipdag. Moreover they would appear to have a common origin since they are remarkably similar in use of language, structure, style and metre ljodhattr.
In the first poem, the young Svipdag is set the task of winning the hand in marriage of the giantess Mengleth by his cruel stepmother. He summons, by necromancy, the shade of his mother, Groa, a Völva, or witch, to aid him in this task. She casts nine spells (a significant number in Norse mythology).
In the second poem, Svipdag, having survived the rigours of the journey, is confronted by the eponymous giant watchman, Fjolsvith. Fjolsvith is one of the names of the principal of the gods of Asgard, Odin. Fjolsvith tells him to go away, while asking him his name; Svipdag wisely conceals his name. A game of question and answer riddles ensues, wherein Svipdag learns that Mengloth lives in the castle guarded by the Fjolsvith, and that the castle may not be entered by any save one: Svipdag. He gives his true name and the gates are opened and Mengloth greets her saviour.
External links
- Jörmungrund: Svipdagsmál (http://www.hi.is/~eybjorn/ugm/svipdag2.html) (Old Norse text with English translation and notes.)
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