Scandinavian Mythology: Eddic and Scaldic Poetry

This lecture delves into the world of Scandinavian mythology, exploring the Eddic and Scaldic poetry traditions. It discusses the compilation of the Poetic Edda, the mythological themes, and the challenges of interpreting these ancient texts. The session covers the biographical elements of the poets, the hermetic vocabulary used, and the cultural and religious parallels found in the poems. It also examines the historical context of writing, the role of poetry in society, and the ideological production surrounding the royal courts. The lecture concludes with a reflection on the preservation of myths and the subversive subtext present in the Edda.