January 2020 Monthly Meeting - Vafþrúðnismál
For the January meeting we will read and discuss Vafþrúðnismál.
From Wikipedia:
"Vafþrúðnismál (Vafþrúðnir's sayings) is the third poem in the Poetic Edda. It is a conversation in verse form conducted initially between the Æsir Odin and Frigg, and subsequently between Odin and the giant Vafþrúðnir. The poem goes into detail about the Norse cosmogony and was evidently used extensively as a source document by Snorri Sturluson in the construction of the Prose Edda who quotes it. The poem is preserved in Codex Regius and partially in AM 748 I 4to."
The Bellows translation can be found at this link to Sacred Texts.
Like most KoSH members I also have a number of other translations of the Poetic Edda available, so please feel free to ask me if you would like some other ebook version(s), but I'm going to try not to get in the habit of posting them directly so I hopefully don't start running into copyright problems.
Asa’s expansively expanding expanse of notes on the expanse of Vafþrúðnismál’s literary expanse — a nonrepetitive/non-verbose and concise titling
Act 1
Oden talks to Frigg. Says he will be going to Vafthruthnir. Frigg says no. Oden says sure he will. Frigg says be safe.
Act 2
Oden goes up to Vafthruthnir and is like, hey bitch I heard you are wise, and I want to know things, giant.
Vafthruthnir’s like why are you coming in here and insulting me bro?
Odens like dude I’m Gagnrath and you best be showing me some fucking hospitality
Vafthruthnir is all like, come up here and sit down
Oden is like nah man I’m good here
Vafthruthnir asks some pretty kick ass trivia, but Oden got it. And just answers everything. Then goes and sits next to Vafthruthnir. Then he asks some kick ass questions.
Finally, Oden is like, yo dude, what did Oden whisper into his son’s ear before putting him on the pyre?
Vafthruthnir’s like, dude what the fuck, nobody’s going to know that shit but you, Oden. Now I’m losing my head because obviously you’re the wisest.