In Norse mythology, Gunnlod was a daughter of Suttung, who was set guard by her father in the cavern where he housed the mead of poetry. She was seduced by Odin, who according to Snorri bargained with her to exchange three nights of sex for three sips of the mead and then tricked her, stealing all of it. But the Havamal of the Poetic Edda tells the story a bit differently:
Gunnlod sat me in the golden seat, Poured me precious mead: Ill reward she had from me for that, For her proud and passionate heart, Her brooding foreboding spirit.
What I won from her I have well used: I have waxed in wisdom since I came back, bringing to Asgard Odhroerir, the sacred draught.
Hardly would I have come home alive From the garth of the grim troll, Had Gunnlod not helped me, the good woman, Who wrapped her arms around me.
It would seem, from this version of the tale, that Gunnlod helped Odin willingly, and that he thought well of her in return.
In Norse mythology, Gunnlod was a daughter of Suttung, who was set guard by her father in the cavern where he housed the mead of poetry.
She was seduced by Odin, who according to Snorri bargained with her to exchange three nights of sex for three sips of the mead and then tricked her, stealing all of it.
It would seem, from this version of the tale, that Gunnlod helped Odin willingly, and that he thought well of her in return.
It is also necessary to be eloquent and winning, so that he may charm Gunnlod and secure her devotion, for without her knowledge he cannot gain his end, that of carrying away the supply of inspiration-mead kept at Suttung's.
A catastrophe occurs causing Gunnlod to bewail the death of a kinsman.
In order that Odin and Gunnlod may be able to discuss and resolve in perfect secrecy in regard to the mead, Odin must come secretly down into the mountain, hence the satire makes him use the bored hole to get in.
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