The Poetic Edda

This collection of applies significant critical approaches to the mythological poetry of the Poetic Edda, a principal source for Old Norse cosmography and the legends of Odin, Loki, and Thor. It also provides useful introductions that sketch the critical history of the Eddas. By applying new theoretical approaches (feminist, structuralist, post-structuralist) to each of the major poems, this book yields a variety of powerful and convincing readings. An essential collection of scholarship for any Old Norse course, The Poetic Edda will also be of interest to scholars of Indo-European myth, as well as those who study the theory of myth.

This unique collection of essays applies significant critical approaches to the mythological poetry of the Poetic Edda, a principal source for Old Norse cosmography and the legends of Odin, Loki, and Thor. The volume also provides very useful introductions that sketch the critical history of the Eddas. By applying new theoretical approaches (feminist, structuralist, post-structuralist) to each of the major poems, this book yields a variety of powerful and convincing readings. Contributors to the collection are both young scholars and senior figures in the discipline, and are of varying nationalities (American, British, Australian, Scandinavian, and Icelandic), thus ensuring a range of interpretations from different corners of the scholarly community. The new translations included here make available for the first time to English speaking students the intriguing methodologies that are currently developing in Scandinavia. An essential collection of scholarship for any Old Norse course, The Poetic Edda will also be of interest to scholars of Indo-European myth, as well as those who study the theory of myth.

Preface
Introduction and General Bibliography
List of Illustrations
1. Lars Lonnroth, "The Founding of Miogaror" [tr. Peter Acker]
2. Svava Jakobsdottir, "Gunnlo and the Precious Mead" [tr. Katrina Atwood] [Havamal]
3. Carolyne Larrington, "Vafpruonismal and Grimnismal: Cosmic History, Cosmic Geography
4. Joseph Harris, "Cursing with the Thiste: 'Skirnismal' 31, 6-8 and OE Metrical Charm 9, 16-17"
5. Carol Clover, "Harbarosljoo as Generic farce"
6. Preben Meulengracht Sorensen "Porr'd Fishing Expedition" [Hymiskvioa]
7. Philip N. Anderson, "Form and Content in Lokasenna: A Re-evaluation"
8. Jerold C. Frakes, "Loki's Mythological Function in the Tripartite System" [Lokasenna and Loki]
9. Margaret Clunies Ross, "Reading Prymskioa"
10. John McKinnell, "The Context of Vlundarkioa"
11. Paul Acker, "Dwarf-lore in Alvissmal"
12. Thomas D. Hill, "Rigspula: Some Medieval Christian Analogues"
13. Judy Quinn, "Dialogue with a vlva: Vluspa, Baldrs draumar andHyndlujoo"