AM 748 I 4^to, one of the two manuscripts to preserve Skírnismál, has notes on the margin indicating the speaker of each verse. Some scholars consider this a clue that the poem might have been performed as ritual drama.

Skírnismál (Sayings of Skírnir) is one of the poems of the Poetic Edda. It is preserved in the 13th century manuscripts Codex Regius and AM 748 I 4to but may have been originally composed in heathen times. Many scholars believe that the poem was acted out, perhaps in a sort of hiéros gamos. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (599x803, 233 KB) This picture shows a page from the Old Icelandic manuscript 748 I 4to, containing a part of the Eddic poem Skírnismál. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (599x803, 233 KB) This picture shows a page from the Old Icelandic manuscript 748 I 4to, containing a part of the Eddic poem Skírnismál. ... In Norse mythology, Skírnir is Freyrs messenger and vassal. ... The Poetic Edda is a collection of Old Norse poems from the Icelandic mediaeval manuscript Codex Regius. ... The Codex Regius is an Icelandic manuscript (See also Codex) which is thought to have been written in the 1270s, but many of the poems and stories contained in it pre-date the conversion of Scandinavia to Christianity in the late tenth century. ... AM 748 I 4to is an Icelandic vellum manuscript fragment containing several Eddaic poems. ... Norse paganism or Nordic religion is a termed used to abbreviate the religion preferably amongst the Germanic tribes living in Nordic countries under pre-Christian period that are supported by archaeology findings and early written materials. ... A Nordic Bronze Age petroglyph where the couple to the right probably depicts a hieros gamos rite Hieros Gamos (Greek ιερός γάμος, holy wedding) or Hierogamy (Greek ιερογαμία, again holy wedding) means a coupling (sometimes marriage) of a god and a man or a woman, often having a symbolic meaning and generally conducted...

The prose prologue to the poem says that the god Freyr, the son of Njörðr, sits in Odin's throne, Hliðskjálf and looked over all the worlds. On looking to Jötunheimr, the land of the giants, Freyr sees a beautiful girl and is immediately seized by love. Fearing that the object of his heart's desire is unattainable, gloom settles upon him. This 19th century representation of Freyr shows him with his boar Gullinbursti and his sword. ... Njord or Njordr (Old Norse Njörðr) is one of the Vanir and the god of the fertile land along the seacoast, as well as seamanship and sailing in Norse mythology. ... For other meanings of Odin, Woden or Wotan see Odin (disambiguation), Woden (disambiguation), Wotan (disambiguation). ... Hliðskjálf (in English, Hidden Opening Into Asgardl or Secret Ritual-Site) is an album by Norwegian black metal solo project Burzum. ... Jötunheimr (often anglicized Jotunheim) is the world of the giants (two types: rock and frost, collectively called Jotuns) in the Norse Mythology. ...

The poem itself starts with the wife of Njörðr, bidding Skírnir to ask of Freyr why he is so sad. Skírnir, fearing his master's wrath, nevertheless does as he is bidden. Freyr's response is sullen, yet he pours his heart out. Skírnir agrees to undertake a journey to woo Gerðr, and Freyr furnishes him with his magical steed and sword.

Skírnir tries to woo Gerðr for Freyr by offering precious gifts.

Skírnir duly fetches up in Jötunheimr, at the hall of the giant Gymir. Gerðr, the daughter of Gymir bids him enter the hall; without further ado, Skírnir tries to woo Gerðr on Freyr's behalf, offering first gifts then threats. Eventually, Gerðr succumbs. Skírnir reports to Freyr, who asks him: Image File history File links Gerdr_by_Theaker. ... Image File history File links Gerdr_by_Theaker. ... This article is about a mythological figure. ... Skírnir tries to woo Gerd for Freyr as related in Skírnismál. ...

Tell me, Skírnir, before unsaddling

Or stepping forth another pace

Is the news you bring from Jotunheim

For better or for worse?

Skírnir replies:

In the woods of Barri, which know we both so well,

A quiet still and tranquil place

In nine nights time to Njörd's son

Will Gerd give herself.

Freyr responds:

One night is long enough, yet longer still are two;

How then shall I contend with three?

For months have passed more quickly

Than half a bridal eve.

External links

Translations

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Skírnismál

• Skirnismol Henry A. Bellows' translation and commentary
• För Skírnis eðr Skírnismál Benjamin Thorpe's translation
• Skirnismal Lee M. Hollander's translation
• Skírnismál Bellows' translation with clickable names
• Journey of Skirner A. S. Cottle's translation
• The Lay of Skirnir Translation by W. H. Auden and P. B. Taylor

Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... Wikisource – The Free Library – is a Wikimedia project to build a free, wiki library of source texts, along with translations into any language and other supporting materials. ... Christopher Isherwood (left) and W.H. Auden (right), photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1939 Wystan Hugh Auden, known more commonly as W. H. Auden, (February 21, 1907 – September 29, 1973) was an English poet, often cited as one of the most influential of the 20th century. ...

Editions

• Skírnismál Sophus Bugge's edition
• Skírnismál Guðni Jónsson's edition

Sophus Bugge (1833-1907) was a Norwegian philologist, known for his work on the runic alphabet and the Eddas. ...

Scholarship

• Skírnismál as Ritual Drama Article by Rick McGregor
• The Elder Edda and Ancient Scandinavian Drama Book by Bertha S. Phillpotts