Teutonic Mythology: Gods and Goddesses of the Northland, Vol. 2

Teutonic Mythology: Gods and Goddesses of the Northland, Vol. 2

It is necessary to begin this investigation by pointing out the fact that there are two versions of the last line of strophe 45 in Vafthrudnersmal. The version of this line quoted above wasenn thadan af aldir alaz: "Thence (from Lif and Leifthraser in Mimer's grove) races are born." Codex Upsalensis has insteadok thar um alldr alaz: "And they (Lif and Leifthraser) have there (in Mimer's grove) their abiding place through ages." Of course only the one of these versions can, from a text-historical standpoint, be the original one. But this does not hinder both from being equally legitimate from a mythological standpoint, providing both date from a time when the main features of the myth about Lif and Leifthraser were still remembered. Examples of versions equally justifiable from a mythological standpoint can be cited from other literatures than the Norse. If we in the choice between the two versions pay regard only to[Pg 354] the age of the manuscripts, then the one in Codex Upsalensis, which is copied about the year 1300,[1] has the preference. It would, however, hardly be prudent to put the chief emphasis on this fact. Without drawing any conclusions, I simply point out the fact that the oldest version we possess of the passage says that Lif and Leifthraser live through ages in Mimer's grove. Nor is the other version much younger, so far as the manuscript in which it is found is concerned, and from a mythological standpoint that, too, is beyond doubt correct. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 58829
Author: Rydberg, Viktor
Release Date: Feb 4, 2019
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Translator: Anderson, Rasmus Björn, 1846-1936