JRR Tolkien once described Odin as 'the glutter of crows, the necromancer' - it's not an image you get to see often given how popular culture and born-again Vikings like to think of him, but it's incredibly cool to see that Tolkien was not wrong in his assessment.
Odin the archetypal "troll". Makes Loki look almost like an amateur. This is some pretty heavy material, wow! Reading most translations of this, you don't even get a taste of the seediness. Thor naively telling Odin he would have helped Odin hold some poor woman down so Odin could more easily have his way with her is most definitely not what you would see in any Marvel Comic movie, hahaha. Thanks for showing this material for what it is in any given poem, the highs and the lows!
Frankly they are really not much different when it comes to being tricksters. Odin just has better PR management, the more you know about Odin the more you realize he may in some ways be an even more devious, manipulative character who's a lot better at getting away with it.
I think that's pretty spot on. There's also much archeological evindence to suggest that Thor was much more worshipped by common folks than Odin. And you can kind of understand why when you get to know the Aesir better.
You probably dont give a damn but does anybody know a method to get back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly lost the login password. I would love any assistance you can offer me.
@Harlem Joey I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and Im in the hacking process now. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
I just discovered your channel thanks to a shout-out from Matthew Colville. I love it, thank you for sharing your knowledge! And those insults are great fun haha I'll be sure to tell people they don't own their pants next time I get into an argument haha
One of my favorite eddic poem. It's hilarious that every time Othin talks about his sexual pursuits, Thor completely forgets he is being insulted and just wants to know about the babes. I was reading my Henry Adams Bellows translation and in his introduction to this poem, he seems to write this poem off as essentially a farce with no symbolic value in the minds of old Pagans. I'm relieved to see another scholar disagree with that as it didn't feel right. The suggesting that old Pagans may be Henotheistic is very interesting as well. Usually modern neo-pagans tell you that you can't be a "real" heathen if you don't worship multiple gods as if they were PhD scholars themselves and knew exactly how people practiced back then.
So true. But a lot of modern pagans seem less interested in their new beliefs than they are in using them to supplant and challenge Christianity. I aways take that as a sign of very hollow faith. Henotheism sounds entirely true to me - look at the Romans, both forcing their gods on conquered people but also odopting those peoples' gods for themselves. And of course the Ten Commandments, three of which are all about worship the Almighty Lord of Hosts. The title 'Lord of Hosts' is intriguing in its way, but aside of that, why the injunction against other gods if there weren't any?
I wish Meili got more recognition. He's a son of Odin, and Thor's only full blooded brother. When Thor declares his name to Odin, he says he's the "son of Odin, Brother of Meili, and Father of Magni"
Love to hear your thoughts on the MCU Odin after Thor:Ragnarok came out. I just took it for granted that the Thor films were using the myths as inspiration only, but I was fascinated to see how that 'grandfatherly' image of Odin collapses in the third film when Hela arrives and reveals what Odin used to be before Thor and Loki were born.
I get a kick out of all these comments telling a doctorate about his field of study, like their few hours of internet study equates to years of translating, reflecting, and dissertation.
I feel like there's a key interpretation missing, perhaps an alternate or controversial interpretation. Odin is sometimes depicted as ferrying the dead to the afterlife, like the boatman of the river Styx. Thor, weary from his journey, might in fact be facing death's door, or at least trying to enter Asgard through a gate that only the dead may pass. So Odin denies him passage on the river of death, not out of spite or rivalry, but out of a shred of fatherly love, or out of the knowledge that Thor is too important to let die. Odin's words may be harsh, but they are what Thor needs to hear to keep going.
That's a really interesting idea. As though Odin is prodding and cajoling Thor to get back to consciousness, get up, and carry on. The fjord and the boat, and the complicated directions back to Midgard, might actually be Thor's passage into death, which Odin refuses to take him on, and his struggle to instead return to life. Odin feels he can't let Thor know that he's stood there stopping him from dying, so he uses one of his many guises to fool Thor into believing that this is an ordinary encounter.
That's actually a really compelling way of interpretting this. Because in no other poem do we see an explicit rivalry between Odin and Thor, unlike Loki and others. So Harbardsljod stands out among them as being a peculiar story. If one puts it this way, It makes more sense within the general mythos.
@@tamerofhorses2200 I don't know if it's true to interpret absolutely no rivalry between Odin and Thor elsewhere. There's a brief line in the duel with Hrungnir that suggests them not getting along. Culturally, the cult of Odin and the cult of Thor were probably rivals too, as Odin is the patron of warrior/upper class while Thor is the patron of merchant/middle class, so there's allegedly a rivalry between the followers of these gods even without any explicit myth, and Sturlusson might have omitted such myths because he had his political agendas in recording the mythos. I think then that the point of this interpretation is kinda like that episode of Family Guy, Odin is basically saying "Of course I love you, son, I just don't like you."
You are fantastic. I am researching for a comic book I am writing on the viking age and your videos are a gold mine. Thank you for doing what you do and for doing it so well. I am ordering all of your translations.Skol!
Excellent, as always. One thing to consider, tho', is that carrying his burden of the knowledge of Ragnarok, Odin is not merely "selfish" in stirring up war and strife - it is preparation for the forces of life to resist the end of all things. If he is, as suggested elsewhere in these videos, holding back the advent of Ragnarok, then he has greater, deeper, perhaps unknowable motives (including having a hand, possibly, in that end - which may nonetheless be inevitable). He is a most profoundly complex character, at any rate.
When was the last time any of us went and thanked Thor for defending us from the giants? He deserves some appreciation for that I think. I haven't seen a giant around in quite a while...
The idea that Odin needs constantly warring factions in Midgard to provide formidable warriors for the fateful defense of Asgard under the threat of Ragnarok, grants understanding as to why Odin accepts Loki for who he is rather than destroying him. Loki creates mischief and chaos that leads to war. Odin gets the best of the fighters joined to his side in Valhalla. Thor is committed to the protection of humankind and peace among men. This puts Odin at odds against Thor's plans and endeavors. Odin should, by his nature, favor Loki's disposition toward mankind. It's as if Loki is Odin's favorite rather than Thor. And this explains why, of all the gods and all their powers, only Thor makes attempts to defeat Loki or even confront him. All the other gods are content to let Loki do what he's known to do. It's a rudimentary religion based on a power struggle in which the absence of war grants no possibility of power to the authority.
@@merlith4650 I feel it can be argued that Odin tearing apart Loki's family by chucking Jórmungandr into the sea and binding Fenrir was a factor in causing Ragnarök. Like in a desperate attempt to prevent his death, Odin may have inadvertently caused it. And letting Loki run wild causing chaos as the "cause" of the end of the world places the title of villain on Loki's head and his children instead of Odin's. At least that's one way I interpret it.
Thanks!! This argument is actually funny. I am personally studying old norse and norwegian language. I have grown to love old norse and and Scandinavian culture. I Will buy your book soon! if I have any questions I'll be sure to ask and get your input!
I love when I can fully understand the old Norse by simply considering it in English. For example, Hárbarðsljóð can be easily understood in Old English as Hārbeardeslēoþ, or Hoarbeardsleeth
Jackson, I truly enjoy your content. I bought three of your books. I would like to hear you compare the Ancient Greek poems of Homer, Hesiod, and Sophocles to the Nordic poems and sagas.
I think there is an additional layer to this story that the boasts of Odin are a contrast to those of Thor to show Thor's lesser status. He has to "walk the long way around" to continue growing into the wisdom represented by Odin's aged grey beard. While Thor fights wicked giant women in the east who shattered his ship (symbol for Thor's self image) and Odin says when he was in the east (the same land as Thor) he made love to the best women, hinting it was the same women Thor was warring with. Where Thor saw an enemy because of his injured ego, Odin enjoyed their love. Thor is unable to coax Odinn into ferrying him on the ferry (ship) which is the central metaphorical object of this poem. A ship or ferry can cross the barrier of the water which is symbol of the mental conflict Thor has to overcome to get back home to Asgard, the paradise of the gods and regain his own elevated status. I don't think the difference in social classes is presented as concrete. Thor is a young warrior who needs to grow into a leader like Odin which is why Odin, the experienced one, mocks him. It is to help him grow. Odin learned the lessons from those who came before him and are now buried in those mounds.
Well Odin does say he'd had liked someone helping him holding down the women - So it's more that he selfishly took of those women what he wanted (the tree only has the space it steals itself), while Thore vanquished them for the good of mankind (had he not killed his giants, humans would be extinct)
History channels Vikings has got me hooked,so these vids are so cool to watch and learn Old Norse(as best I can) Here Odin is acting like a friggin prick as usual!!!lol!! gotta love it! Imagine Thor stomping around in fury,as his dad is messing with him!!
The thing you really wouldn't want to get wet if you are travelling on foot and didn't know whether you'd be home by nightfall is any heavy bit of textile you are going to sleep under. So blanket, cloak, sleeping bag, plaid, rug, fur? Of course if it is a blanket Thor is talking about that leaves you with a little bit of ambiguity as to what Odin was really up to there... was he trying to persuade Thor to wade out and get his blanket wet while at the same time wasting Thor's time so Thor would have a cold sad night? Or is home closer than Odin admits, and by lying Odin makes sure that Thor won't wade out and give him a hammering? So I'm going to regard the ǫgur as a blanket, because it makes the poem more interesting. Also the word ǫgur reminds me of the names of a lot of ethnic groups in the Russia and Hungary areas. Could it be something that came in several different styles, one of which was either imported or ethnically influenced?
I thought the implication of calling Thor barefoot and poor is that he doesn't even have a blanket. Getting your pants wet is no better for sleeping. I think it's funnier and more in line with the tone of the poem to think that Thor's referring to his "hammer".
question: is this why Frigg died in that Thor movie?? because Hárbardr said she did here? i dont know if the comics people went that in depth or if it was just coincidence but yeaahh
I notice in “Møkkurkálfi” the ‘f’ is pronounced ‘v,’ in the word “hverrs” ‘v’ is pronounced ‘w,’ and in “hvat” ‘v’ is pronounced as ‘v’. What determines the pronunciation of these letters in differing contexts?
If you hadn't found it already in his other videos, it goes like this: v - was originally pronounced as w, but because the sound we associate with v over time and in some cases, as after h it seems to still be pronounced somewhat as w. f - Sounds like English f when it's at the start of a word, but sounds more like English v when at the end of a syllable or between syllables as in "Møkkurkálfi".
If the name of Odin literally means “Spirit, Frenzy or Inspiration” I see the Hárbarðsljóð as a dialog between the spirit and the mind (Thor). They address each other over a swollen river. The river is the divide, or space between the spirit and the mind. Thor wants passage but Odin tells him “Barefoot thou standest, | and wearest a beggar's dress; Not even hose dost thou have.” He implies Thor is unworthy to pass and not prepared. Thor (The Mind) hears and sees Odin, but doesn’t know who he is. Thor is depicted as the strongest of the Gods, yet not as bright. He is still revered for his strength and power. He is the son of Spirit and Freya, the goddess of the earth. His name implies “lighting” quick to react and fast in deployment of his force. Odin does acknowledge he would have helped Thor on one of his exploits. Odin explains he uses his cunning and wisdom rather than strength. Odin (the spirit), being the wanderer, can appear as any man. He may not be disguised, he just may not be recognized. This spirit can and does show itself to anyone. A person of discernment and wisdom can often figure out who he is, if he listens and comes prepared. The Spirit (Odin) questions Thor’s deeds and Honor. The mind (Thor) reacts harshly to what he considers insults. Thor’s physical deeds and heroism is his main focus and sees these as virtues. His exploits carry more weight to him. Odin (Spirit) provokes anger and Thor responds by threats and slurs against Odin. Odin is in possession of the boat that can provide transport. Thor can only react to the spirit by hurling insults at Odin. The dialog shows that Odin would be willing to provide passage, but Thor (Mind) is too boastful of his deeds and exploits. Odin tells him if he wants passes he must take the long way around. The mind (Thor) asks the spirit the way. Thor tells Odin he will not be payed for the directions Odin gives him. Thor asks if he can make the journey in a day. Odin responds… While the sun still shines, or so I think. With toil and trouble perchance, And warns him the journey will entail evil and challenges along the way. Yes, the journey can be made, but it will be harder. If Thor is the collective mind of humanity, he elects to take the long way rather than humble himself to the spirit and chooses to rely solely on his strength. This story, to me means that true understanding comes by being humble to the spirit. Sheer strength and stubbornness makes the journey longer when thought and cunning are required. Strength itself makes the journey harder, longer and requires all your strength, at all times, to be successful. Just my interpretation of what it means to me.
Is it possible that Þórr, Óđinn and Týr were once one and the same god, who then eventually split into three as social conventions and needs as well as literary traditions changed over time? I think their realms of influence seem rather similar, and they all seem to share aspects of Zeus' personality, responsibilities and history.
More like, Tyr changed his position of chief god with Ódinn. Tyr or Tiwaz seems to developed from the PIE Sky Father, something that Ódinn is not. Even Thórr has some characteristics from the Sky Father, however he tends to behave just as the Champion God, akin to Herakles or Cú Chulainn.
Anyone else wonder if its coincidence or not, that Odin talks of making 7 sisters submit to his will, and the fact that Heimdall is the son of seven mothers? Its interesting (at least to me) that Heimdall is named thus, his father never named and is considered Vanir, Im not really suggesting that Odin is his secret father, just entertaining the possibility I have watched this vid several times, as well as read the passages myself, but this was the first time such a thought occured to me, could be divine inspiration, or simply that im too deep in my cups :)
Is there a difference between Odin's depiction in Norse texts and Woden in Anglo-Saxon and Germanic myths as far as this is concerned? Is Woden more benevolent, vs Odin? And might this reflect a difference between Continental and Scandinavian Germanic myth?
The germans have a lot of stories about the wind hunt. Where wotan rides around killing everyone together with monstrous hunters. But I'm not sure I remember it correctly. There is a wikipedia page for the wild hunt though,
@ KungKras Yes! Thats one of the reasons why Tyr was the maingod of the southern germanic tribes. Proofs? Long before the Christians arrvied north Germany, the danish people built a great wall in todays county of Holstein, to be save from the Saxons and other core-german tribes! There was a heavy conflict between the cult of Odin from Odense and the justice of Tyr, in old german Deuwaz. Thats why they are the "Deutschen", or "Dutch"-men.
I'm no expert, but I believe the - k is ek. Like I in English or ich in German. So they've stuck the pronoun onto the end of the verb. I couldn't find an old Norse verb "hyl" but there's an Icelandic one which is apparently to pay homage to or something and maybe connected to"hail". So"I hail?"
@@elgranlugus7267 The name Hárbarðr is made up of hárr + barð, hárr being cognate with the uncommon English word hoar which is a light grey color. So the cognate would be Hoarbeard.
My head cannon for Marvel's Odin is that, when he lost eye to gain knowledge, he realized that no matter how many wars he causes, no matter how much blood he spills Ragnarok will happen one way or another The thing is he found a way to live long and haplily without dying in a violent, apocalyptic war. He died of old age and left his son to deal with the mess he caused. 10/10 So instead of meeting Loki as a grown up he took him in and raised as son. This way he could control him better. Thor and Loki have always acted more like friends / siblings than Odin and Loki (they had more adventures toghether and Loki respected Thor closer to Ragnarok) so why don't make them real brothers?
I’m not at all sure how you interpret the story itself the way you do. I would love to sit down and have a discussion with you. You would find asatru much more beautiful and complete not the barbarous way you interpret everything. I appreciate the way you lay the raw knowledge out though. Thank you
"You look like you have to rent pants" is my new favorite insult.
“Ay stoopid you buy those shorts with a paymenplan?”
Or you don’t own your pants.
"I'm wouldn't lie about that!"
Odin was lying
JRR Tolkien once described Odin as 'the glutter of crows, the necromancer' - it's not an image you get to see often given how popular culture and born-again Vikings like to think of him, but it's incredibly cool to see that Tolkien was not wrong in his assessment.
This is the first scholarly linguistic presentation I’ve seen that properly uses the word “dingus.” Extra points for that!
Thórr:
I need to protect the world
Ódinn:
So... Who wants to butcher his enemies?
"He doesn't wanna go out there and get his dingus wet" I've never heard such a wonderfully context-sensitive line X3
TheHorrorDevotee 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I busted out laughing so hard I love thor so much!
It's the far north! And that's one place you don't want frostbite!
Odin the archetypal "troll". Makes Loki look almost like an amateur. This is some pretty heavy material, wow! Reading most translations of this, you don't even get a taste of the seediness. Thor naively telling Odin he would have helped Odin hold some poor woman down so Odin could more easily have his way with her is most definitely not what you would see in any Marvel Comic movie, hahaha. Thanks for showing this material for what it is in any given poem, the highs and the lows!
Frankly they are really not much different when it comes to being tricksters. Odin just has better PR management, the more you know about Odin the more you realize he may in some ways be an even more devious, manipulative character who's a lot better at getting away with it.
Thor seems to be the god who gives a damn for those of us in Midgard.
I think that's pretty spot on. There's also much archeological evindence to suggest that Thor was much more worshipped by common folks than Odin. And you can kind of understand why when you get to know the Aesir better.
You probably dont give a damn but does anybody know a method to get back into an Instagram account??
I stupidly lost the login password. I would love any assistance you can offer me.
@Shiloh Kamari Instablaster =)
@Harlem Joey I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and Im in the hacking process now.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Harlem Joey it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thanks so much you saved my account :D
I just discovered your channel thanks to a shout-out from Matthew Colville. I love it, thank you for sharing your knowledge! And those insults are great fun haha I'll be sure to tell people they don't own their pants next time I get into an argument haha
Same here! Keep up the good work man!
Same
Me too :O
+
One of my favorite eddic poem. It's hilarious that every time Othin talks about his sexual pursuits, Thor completely forgets he is being insulted and just wants to know about the babes. I was reading my Henry Adams Bellows translation and in his introduction to this poem, he seems to write this poem off as essentially a farce with no symbolic value in the minds of old Pagans. I'm relieved to see another scholar disagree with that as it didn't feel right. The suggesting that old Pagans may be Henotheistic is very interesting as well. Usually modern neo-pagans tell you that you can't be a "real" heathen if you don't worship multiple gods as if they were PhD scholars themselves and knew exactly how people practiced back then.
So true. But a lot of modern pagans seem less interested in their new beliefs than they are in using them to supplant and challenge Christianity. I aways take that as a sign of very hollow faith. Henotheism sounds entirely true to me - look at the Romans, both forcing their gods on conquered people but also odopting those peoples' gods for themselves. And of course the Ten Commandments, three of which are all about worship the Almighty Lord of Hosts. The title 'Lord of Hosts' is intriguing in its way, but aside of that, why the injunction against other gods if there weren't any?
My favorite Odin story. What a fun guy.
If I rented my pants, I wouldn't want to get them wet either.
I found it interesting that this and the Lokasanna were possibly performance pieces. The exchange of insults would be, naturally, entertaining.
I wish Meili got more recognition. He's a son of Odin, and Thor's only full blooded brother. When Thor declares his name to Odin, he says he's the "son of Odin, Brother of Meili, and Father of Magni"
Love to hear your thoughts on the MCU Odin after Thor:Ragnarok came out. I just took it for granted that the Thor films were using the myths as inspiration only, but I was fascinated to see how that 'grandfatherly' image of Odin collapses in the third film when Hela arrives and reveals what Odin used to be before Thor and Loki were born.
This channel is truly unusual. Genuine educated content, not a bunch of crap taken from wikipedia.
Keep up the good work
I get a kick out of all these comments telling a doctorate about his field of study, like their few hours of internet study equates to years of translating, reflecting, and dissertation.
where did you see that?
I swear I cannot tell how much time passes because i am just so fascinated by these videos. I just watched a 27 min video as if it was a 30 second ad!
Ads feel longer and don't make me feel sad when they're over.
Thor: Hey man, I’ve started a war...
Odinn: Noice!
Hey dad*
What, without me?!
I feel like there's a key interpretation missing, perhaps an alternate or controversial interpretation. Odin is sometimes depicted as ferrying the dead to the afterlife, like the boatman of the river Styx. Thor, weary from his journey, might in fact be facing death's door, or at least trying to enter Asgard through a gate that only the dead may pass. So Odin denies him passage on the river of death, not out of spite or rivalry, but out of a shred of fatherly love, or out of the knowledge that Thor is too important to let die. Odin's words may be harsh, but they are what Thor needs to hear to keep going.
That's a really interesting idea. As though Odin is prodding and cajoling Thor to get back to consciousness, get up, and carry on. The fjord and the boat, and the complicated directions back to Midgard, might actually be Thor's passage into death, which Odin refuses to take him on, and his struggle to instead return to life. Odin feels he can't let Thor know that he's stood there stopping him from dying, so he uses one of his many guises to fool Thor into believing that this is an ordinary encounter.
That's brilliant.
Beautiful insight and interpretation.
That's actually a really compelling way of interpretting this. Because in no other poem do we see an explicit rivalry between Odin and Thor, unlike Loki and others. So Harbardsljod stands out among them as being a peculiar story. If one puts it this way, It makes more sense within the general mythos.
@@tamerofhorses2200 I don't know if it's true to interpret absolutely no rivalry between Odin and Thor elsewhere. There's a brief line in the duel with Hrungnir that suggests them not getting along. Culturally, the cult of Odin and the cult of Thor were probably rivals too, as Odin is the patron of warrior/upper class while Thor is the patron of merchant/middle class, so there's allegedly a rivalry between the followers of these gods even without any explicit myth, and Sturlusson might have omitted such myths because he had his political agendas in recording the mythos. I think then that the point of this interpretation is kinda like that episode of Family Guy, Odin is basically saying "Of course I love you, son, I just don't like you."
You are fantastic. I am researching for a comic book I am writing on the viking age and your videos are a gold mine. Thank you for doing what you do and for doing it so well. I am ordering all of your translations.Skol!
"Thor don't want to get his dingus wet"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 yep I just died went to vallholl and came back that comment made my day so much better
Thank you I always love learning about my ancestors.
I'm getting to all of these a few years late, but I appreciate that you've done them, even after having learned some ON.
Excellent, as always. One thing to consider, tho', is that carrying his burden of the knowledge of Ragnarok, Odin is not merely "selfish" in stirring up war and strife - it is preparation for the forces of life to resist the end of all things. If he is, as suggested elsewhere in these videos, holding back the advent of Ragnarok, then he has greater, deeper, perhaps unknowable motives (including having a hand, possibly, in that end - which may nonetheless be inevitable). He is a most profoundly complex character, at any rate.
When was the last time any of us went and thanked Thor for defending us from the giants? He deserves some appreciation for that I think. I haven't seen a giant around in quite a while...
is it just me or is Dr. Crawford getting handsomer by the day? Wow!
Matthew Colville sent me here, and I think I will stay.
The idea that Odin needs constantly warring factions in Midgard to provide formidable warriors for the fateful defense of Asgard under the threat of Ragnarok, grants understanding as to why Odin accepts Loki for who he is rather than destroying him. Loki creates mischief and chaos that leads to war. Odin gets the best of the fighters joined to his side in Valhalla.
Thor is committed to the protection of humankind and peace among men. This puts Odin at odds against Thor's plans and endeavors. Odin should, by his nature, favor Loki's disposition toward mankind. It's as if Loki is Odin's favorite rather than Thor. And this explains why, of all the gods and all their powers, only Thor makes attempts to defeat Loki or even confront him. All the other gods are content to let Loki do what he's known to do.
It's a rudimentary religion based on a power struggle in which the absence of war grants no possibility of power to the authority.
Merlith Gero it makes sense bc Ragnorock is fates & would happen regardless of the catalyst
@@merlith4650 I feel it can be argued that Odin tearing apart Loki's family by chucking Jórmungandr into the sea and binding Fenrir was a factor in causing Ragnarök. Like in a desperate attempt to prevent his death, Odin may have inadvertently caused it. And letting Loki run wild causing chaos as the "cause" of the end of the world places the title of villain on Loki's head and his children instead of Odin's. At least that's one way I interpret it.
@@VXMasterson probably at least part of the intent of the story. Norse loved self-fulfilling profecies no less than the Greek.
Thanks!! This argument is actually funny. I am personally studying old norse and norwegian language. I have grown to love old norse and and Scandinavian culture. I Will buy your book soon! if I have any questions I'll be sure to ask and get your input!
Great book glad i found this channel bought both audio and kindle.
I love when I can fully understand the old Norse by simply considering it in English. For example, Hárbarðsljóð can be easily understood in Old English as Hārbeardeslēoþ, or Hoarbeardsleeth
Jackson, I truly enjoy your content. I bought three of your books. I would like to hear you compare the Ancient Greek poems of Homer, Hesiod, and Sophocles to the Nordic poems and sagas.
Go now and have a bad journey ~ LOL
And a bad day to you, sir
Thank you Mr. Crawford
One of my favorite poems!
The argument that served the purpose of the Flyting in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla!
This story makes me laugh so much!
i find it really interesting that there are like abbreviations in old texts, idk, it always surprises me. (like the hyl-k in hyl-k um nafn sjaldan).
"he doesn't wanna wade out there and get his dingus wet" LMFAO
I love all you videos!!!! :DDD
Alternate title for this poem: "Thor, what's good?"
Good stuff!
Thank you so much, excellent presentation. Hugs & sunshine 🌞 N
Odin is a king, kings operate on a different level. Odin would have loved Machiavelli.
I think there is an additional layer to this story that the boasts of Odin are a contrast to those of Thor to show Thor's lesser status. He has to "walk the long way around" to continue growing into the wisdom represented by Odin's aged grey beard. While Thor fights wicked giant women in the east who shattered his ship (symbol for Thor's self image) and Odin says when he was in the east (the same land as Thor) he made love to the best women, hinting it was the same women Thor was warring with. Where Thor saw an enemy because of his injured ego, Odin enjoyed their love. Thor is unable to coax Odinn into ferrying him on the ferry (ship) which is the central metaphorical object of this poem. A ship or ferry can cross the barrier of the water which is symbol of the mental conflict Thor has to overcome to get back home to Asgard, the paradise of the gods and regain his own elevated status. I don't think the difference in social classes is presented as concrete. Thor is a young warrior who needs to grow into a leader like Odin which is why Odin, the experienced one, mocks him. It is to help him grow. Odin learned the lessons from those who came before him and are now buried in those mounds.
Well Odin does say he'd had liked someone helping him holding down the women - So it's more that he selfishly took of those women what he wanted (the tree only has the space it steals itself), while Thore vanquished them for the good of mankind (had he not killed his giants, humans would be extinct)
History channels Vikings has got me hooked,so these vids are so cool to watch and learn Old Norse(as best I can) Here Odin is acting like a friggin prick as usual!!!lol!! gotta love it! Imagine Thor stomping around in fury,as his dad is messing with him!!
thank yew dr. crawford
The thing you really wouldn't want to get wet if you are travelling on foot and didn't know whether you'd be home by nightfall is any heavy bit of textile you are going to sleep under. So blanket, cloak, sleeping bag, plaid, rug, fur? Of course if it is a blanket Thor is talking about that leaves you with a little bit of ambiguity as to what Odin was really up to there... was he trying to persuade Thor to wade out and get his blanket wet while at the same time wasting Thor's time so Thor would have a cold sad night? Or is home closer than Odin admits, and by lying Odin makes sure that Thor won't wade out and give him a hammering? So I'm going to regard the ǫgur as a blanket, because it makes the poem more interesting.
Also the word ǫgur reminds me of the names of a lot of ethnic groups in the Russia and Hungary areas. Could it be something that came in several different styles, one of which was either imported or ethnically influenced?
I thought the implication of calling Thor barefoot and poor is that he doesn't even have a blanket. Getting your pants wet is no better for sleeping. I think it's funnier and more in line with the tone of the poem to think that Thor's referring to his "hammer".
This was awesome!
This dude looks like Drake and Josh had a kid
Thor is a 19 year old Infantryman and Odin is his Sergeant Major.
Cool 👍🏼
Matt covelle sent me. Subed
question: is this why Frigg died in that Thor movie?? because Hárbardr said she did here? i dont know if the comics people went that in depth or if it was just coincidence but yeaahh
Is ljóð the root of the German word lied (song)?
Proto-Germanic *leuþ-ą (-an) is the reconstructed root form of both.
And maybe the archaic English "lay"?
@@eldricgrubbidge6465 Yes also another old way of saying song or ballad.
I wonder if they got the idea for Yahtzee from Thor throwing dudes eyes like dice.
I notice in “Møkkurkálfi” the ‘f’ is pronounced ‘v,’ in the word “hverrs” ‘v’ is pronounced ‘w,’ and in “hvat” ‘v’ is pronounced as ‘v’. What determines the pronunciation of these letters in differing contexts?
If you hadn't found it already in his other videos, it goes like this:
v - was originally pronounced as w, but because the sound we associate with v over time and in some cases, as after h it seems to still be pronounced somewhat as w.
f - Sounds like English f when it's at the start of a word, but sounds more like English v when at the end of a syllable or between syllables as in "Møkkurkálfi".
I laugh at the by play . Odal is certainly messing with Thor . Hilarious
what did Odin need from his son tho?
If the name of Odin literally means “Spirit, Frenzy or Inspiration” I see the Hárbarðsljóð as a dialog between the spirit and the mind (Thor). They address each other over a swollen river. The river is the divide, or space between the spirit and the mind. Thor wants passage but Odin tells him “Barefoot thou standest, | and wearest a beggar's dress; Not even hose dost thou have.” He implies Thor is unworthy to pass and not prepared.
Thor (The Mind) hears and sees Odin, but doesn’t know who he is. Thor is depicted as the strongest of the Gods, yet not as bright. He is still revered for his strength and power. He is the son of Spirit and Freya, the goddess of the earth. His name implies “lighting” quick to react and fast in deployment of his force. Odin does acknowledge he would have helped Thor on one of his exploits. Odin explains he uses his cunning and wisdom rather than strength.
Odin (the spirit), being the wanderer, can appear as any man. He may not be disguised, he just may not be recognized. This spirit can and does show itself to anyone. A person of discernment and wisdom can often figure out who he is, if he listens and comes prepared.
The Spirit (Odin) questions Thor’s deeds and Honor. The mind (Thor) reacts harshly to what he considers insults. Thor’s physical deeds and heroism is his main focus and sees these as virtues. His exploits carry more weight to him.
Odin (Spirit) provokes anger and Thor responds by threats and slurs against Odin. Odin is in possession of the boat that can provide transport. Thor can only react to the spirit by hurling insults at Odin.
The dialog shows that Odin would be willing to provide passage, but Thor (Mind) is too boastful of his deeds and exploits. Odin tells him if he wants passes he must take the long way around. The mind (Thor) asks the spirit the way. Thor tells Odin he will not be payed for the directions Odin gives him. Thor asks if he can make the journey in a day.
Odin responds…
While the sun still shines, or so I think.
With toil and trouble perchance,
And warns him the journey will entail evil and challenges along the way. Yes, the journey can be made, but it will be harder.
If Thor is the collective mind of humanity, he elects to take the long way rather than humble himself to the spirit and chooses to rely solely on his strength.
This story, to me means that true understanding comes by being humble to the spirit. Sheer strength and stubbornness makes the journey longer when thought and cunning are required. Strength itself makes the journey harder, longer and requires all your strength, at all times, to be successful.
Just my interpretation of what it means to me.
If Thor can kill Jormungandr during Ragnarok with his hammer, how come he can't even cross a stream without Odin's help here?
See dingus comment
Because you can't cross a fjord by giving it a whack with a big hammer.
Is it possible that Þórr, Óđinn and Týr were once one and the same god, who then eventually split into three as social conventions and needs as well as literary traditions changed over time? I think their realms of influence seem rather similar, and they all seem to share aspects of Zeus' personality, responsibilities and history.
More like, Tyr changed his position of chief god with Ódinn.
Tyr or Tiwaz seems to developed from the PIE Sky Father, something that Ódinn is not.
Even Thórr has some characteristics from the Sky Father, however he tends to behave just as the Champion God, akin to Herakles or Cú Chulainn.
Anyone else wonder if its coincidence or not, that Odin talks of making 7 sisters submit to his will, and the fact that Heimdall is the son of seven mothers?
Its interesting (at least to me) that Heimdall is named thus, his father never named and is considered Vanir,
Im not really suggesting that Odin is his secret father, just entertaining the possibility
I have watched this vid several times, as well as read the passages myself, but this was the first time such a thought occured to me, could be divine inspiration, or simply that im too deep in my cups :)
Heimdall is the son of nine mothers.
Is there a difference between Odin's depiction in Norse texts and Woden in Anglo-Saxon and Germanic myths as far as this is concerned? Is Woden more benevolent, vs Odin? And might this reflect a difference between Continental and Scandinavian Germanic myth?
The germans have a lot of stories about the wind hunt. Where wotan rides around killing everyone together with monstrous hunters.
But I'm not sure I remember it correctly. There is a wikipedia page for the wild hunt though,
@ KungKras Yes! Thats one of the reasons why Tyr was the maingod of the southern germanic tribes. Proofs? Long before the Christians arrvied north Germany, the danish people built a great wall in todays county of Holstein, to be save from the Saxons and other core-german tribes! There was a heavy conflict between the cult of Odin from Odense and the justice of Tyr, in old german Deuwaz. Thats why they are the "Deutschen", or "Dutch"-men.
I cant not believe my luck happy birthday to me !!!! thank you
Which source are you reading in Old Norse to compare to your translation?
Is Arendel from Frozen based on Earendel?
I think there's a place in Norway called Arendal, that would be more likely.
Whats with the hyphon in Hyl-k?
I'm no expert, but I believe the - k is ek. Like I in English or ich in German. So they've stuck the pronoun onto the end of the verb.
I couldn't find an old Norse verb "hyl" but there's an Icelandic one which is apparently to pay homage to or something and maybe connected to"hail".
So"I hail?"
Thor says he was geased fighting giants? Am I hearing that correctly the "geased"
Chris McGavin I think he said" I was East fighting giants."
Harbard sounds a little like the English "All Father."
not really
Cognate > Highbeard.
@@elgranlugus7267 The name Hárbarðr is made up of hárr + barð, hárr being cognate with the uncommon English word hoar which is a light grey color. So the cognate would be Hoarbeard.
High five....lol..... Thank the gods for Thor...
ogerr-kogr, arrowcase
My head cannon for Marvel's Odin is that, when he lost eye to gain knowledge, he realized that no matter how many wars he causes, no matter how much blood he spills Ragnarok will happen one way or another
The thing is he found a way to live long and haplily without dying in a violent, apocalyptic war. He died of old age and left his son to deal with the mess he caused. 10/10
So instead of meeting Loki as a grown up he took him in and raised as son. This way he could control him better. Thor and Loki have always acted more like friends / siblings than Odin and Loki (they had more adventures toghether and Loki respected Thor closer to Ragnarok) so why don't make them real brothers?
Funny how the old norse word medan is still the same in swedish, medans XD
So basically Odin is the god of shitty cosplay.
Noone could tell it was him so no. It was godlike cosplay.
Why did they believe in these gods?
Because they're awesome?
Because they were metaphoric figures to understand human nature.
Sure .... sure he did. Bless your little heart.
wms72 Lmfao
Thor is a God, why can't he just walk on water?
I’m not at all sure how you interpret the story itself the way you do. I would love to sit down and have a discussion with you. You would find asatru much more beautiful and complete not the barbarous way you interpret everything. I appreciate the way you lay the raw knowledge out though. Thank you
Scholars tend to deconstruct mythology, a way to find logic or falsify the tail.