Hávamál
Hávamál ("Sayings of the high one") is presented as a single poem in the Poetic Edda. The poem, itself a combination of different poems, largely presents advice for living and survival composed around the central figure of Odin. Composed in the metre Ljóðaháttr, a metre associated with wisdom verse, Hávamál is both practical and metaphysical in content. This is particularly apparent towards the end of the poem, as the poem shifts into an account of Odin's obtaining of the runic alphabet and obscure text relating to various charms and spells Odin knows.[1]
The only surviving source for Hávamál is contained within the 13th century Codex Regius, and is thought to be no older than from around the year 800 AD (though derived from an earlier oral tradition). An early reference to the poem is by Eyvindr skáldaspillir, found in Hákonarmál from around the year 960 AD.
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Poems
The poems in Havamal shift in tone, tenor and narrative position. Numerous English translations exist of the text.
Gestaþáttr
The first section Gestaþáttr, the "guest's section". Stanzas 1 through 79 comprise a set of maxims for how to handle oneself when a guest and traveling, focusing particularly on manners and other behavioral relationships between hosts and guests and the sacred lore of reciprocity and hospitality to the Norse pagans.
The first stanza exemplifies the practical behavioral advice it offers:
- All the entrances, before you walk forward,
- you should look at,
- you should spy out;
- for you can't know for certain where enemies are sitting,
- ahead in the hall[1]
Number 77 is possibly the most known section of Gestaþáttr:
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Loddfáfnismál
Loddfáfnismál, the next major section of Hávamál, deals with morals, ethics, correct action and codes of conduct. The section is directed to Loddfáfnir ("stray-singer"), stands in the place of the reader (or, as was the case at the time, the listener), hence the name for this section.
Rúnatal
Rúnatal or Óðins Rune Song (Rúnatáls-tháttr-Óðins) is a section of the Hávamál where Odin reveals the origins of the runes, or of secret knowledge. It runs from Stanzas' 138 through to 165. In section 138, Odin describes his self-sacrifice (to himself):
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In Stanza 139, Odin continues:
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Ljóðatal
The last section, the Ljóðatal, deals with the transmission of knowledge and metaphysical mysteries. It is essentially a list and a key to a sequenced number of runic charms. There are correspondences between this section and with the Sigrdrífumál, in which the awoken valkyrie Sigrdrífa details a number of the runes at her command.
As an example, Section 151 reads:
- I know a sixth one if a man wounds me
- with the roots of the sap-filled wood:
- and that man who conjured to harm me,
- the evil consumes him, not me.[4]
The sending of a tree root with runes carved into it is well documented in Norse literature; it was, for example, the cause of death of Grettir the Strong as described in Grettis saga.
Germanic Neopaganism
Various proponents of Germanic Neopagan groups place an emphasis on Hávamál as one source of their religious beliefs, amongst other historical sources. As an example, partially based on Hávamál some groups have developed the Nine Noble Virtues.
See also
References
- ^ a b Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) The Poetic Edda, page 14. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462
- ^ Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) The Poetic Edda, page 77. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462
- ^ a b Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) The Poetic Edda, page 34. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462
- ^ Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) The Poetic Edda, page 36. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462
External links
- Hovamol Translation and commentary by H. A. Bellows
- Havamal Translation by Benjamin Thorpe
- Hávamál Translation by W. H. Auden and P. B. Taylor
- Hávamál Translation by Olive Bray
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