12/16/19
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Aim: How can we introduce Norse mythology by studying their philosophies?
THE RAINBOW BRIDGE- The bridge between Midgard (the World), and Asgard (the land of the gods).
ASGARD In Norse religion, Asgard is one of the Nine Worlds and home to the Æsir tribe of gods.Odin
and his wife Frigg, are the rulers of Asgard. One of Asgard's well known locations is Valhala, in which Odin
rules According to Edith Hamilton, Asgard has "no radiancy of joy...no assurance of bliss. It is a grave and
solemn place, over which hangs the threat of inevitable doom" (300).
and his wife Frigg, are the rulers of Asgard. One of Asgard's well known locations is Valhala, in which Odin
rules According to Edith Hamilton, Asgard has "no radiancy of joy...no assurance of bliss. It is a grave and
solemn place, over which hangs the threat of inevitable doom" (300).
WHOLE GROUP DISCUSSION What is the point of creating a land of gods where defeat is sure?
Because it makes sure all the people in Asgard work together to prevent assured destruction. It also makes
sure they don’t fall into a state of security and stay alert.
sure they don’t fall into a state of security and stay alert.
The Nine Worlds (Old Norse Niu Heimar) are the homelands of the various types of beings found in the
pre-Christian worldview of the Norse and other Germanic peoples. They're held in the branches and roots
of the world-tree Yggdrasil.
pre-Christian worldview of the Norse and other Germanic peoples. They're held in the branches and roots
of the world-tree Yggdrasil.
THE NINE WORLDS- The Nine Worlds as a group are mentioned in a poem in the Poetic Edda.[1)
Unfortunately, there is no true list in the mythology, however, we can compile the following tentative reconstruction:
Unfortunately, there is no true list in the mythology, however, we can compile the following tentative reconstruction:
Midgard, the world of humanity
Asgard, the world of the goddesses
Vanaheim, the world of the Vanir tribe of gods and goddesses
Jotunheim, the world of the giants
Niflheim, the primordial world of ice
Muspelheim, the primordial world of fire
Alfheim, the world of the elves
Svartalfheim, the world of the dwarves •
Hel, the world of the eponymous goddess Hel
and the dead
VALHALLA
In Norse mythology, Valhalla, "hall of the slain," is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard,
ruled over by the god Odin. Chosen by Odin, half of those who die in combat travel to Valhalla
upon death, led by valkyries, while the other half go to the goddess Freyja's field Fólkvangr.
In Valhalla, the dead join the masses of those who have died in combat known as Einherjar,
as well as various legendary Germanic heroes and kings, as they prepare to aid Odin during the events of Ragnarök. Before the hall stands the golden tree Glasir, and the hall's ceiling is thatched with golden shields.
ruled over by the god Odin. Chosen by Odin, half of those who die in combat travel to Valhalla
upon death, led by valkyries, while the other half go to the goddess Freyja's field Fólkvangr.
In Valhalla, the dead join the masses of those who have died in combat known as Einherjar,
as well as various legendary Germanic heroes and kings, as they prepare to aid Odin during the events of Ragnarök. Before the hall stands the golden tree Glasir, and the hall's ceiling is thatched with golden shields.
PAIR-SHARE Valhalla is described as the "hall of the slain." Look up the definition of "slay"
(slain is the past-participle form) and discuss the meaning attributed to the use of that specific word for Valhalla.
(slain is the past-participle form) and discuss the meaning attributed to the use of that specific word for Valhalla.
Slay results in the death of one party by murder, and the slain go to Valhalla as they die.
VALKYRIES
In Norse mythology, a Valkyrie (from Old Norse valkyrja "chooser of the slain") is one of a host
of female figures who choose those who may die in battle and those who may live.
Selecting among half of those who die in battle (the other half go to the goddess Freyja's afterlife field Fólkvangr),
the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. There,
the deceased warriors become einherjar (Old Norse "single (or once) fighters"). When the einherjar are not preparing
for the events of Ragnarök, the valkyries bear them mead. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals,
where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens and sometimes
connected to swans or horses.
of female figures who choose those who may die in battle and those who may live.
Selecting among half of those who die in battle (the other half go to the goddess Freyja's afterlife field Fólkvangr),
the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. There,
the deceased warriors become einherjar (Old Norse "single (or once) fighters"). When the einherjar are not preparing
for the events of Ragnarök, the valkyries bear them mead. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals,
where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens and sometimes
connected to swans or horses.
WHOLE GROUP DISCUSSION How can you elaborate on this depiction of women? What does it highlight about Norse philosophy?
Women seem to be much more important than in other religions, as they hold greater positions of power in these myths than others.
Niflheim, Old Norse Niflheimr, in Norse mythology, the cold, dark, misty world of the dead, ruled by the goddess Hel. In some accounts
it was the last of nine worlds, a place into which evil men passed after reaching the region of death (Hel). Situated below one of the
roots of the world tree, Yggdrasill, Niflheim contained a well, Hvergelmir, from which many rivers flowed. In the Norse creation story,
Niflheim was the misty region north of the void (Ginnungagap) which the world was created.
it was the last of nine worlds, a place into which evil men passed after reaching the region of death (Hel). Situated below one of the
roots of the world tree, Yggdrasill, Niflheim contained a well, Hvergelmir, from which many rivers flowed. In the Norse creation story,
Niflheim was the misty region north of the void (Ginnungagap) which the world was created.
Other sources of information:
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