in progress
Descriptions and kennings on Þórr found in Skáldskaparmál.
text
Skm ch. 11b
11b. Þórr
Hvernig skal kenna Þór? Svá... | How shall Thor be referred to... |
[status: unverified copy]
commentary
context
Skáldskaparmál, which is part of Snorra Edda, was composed in Iceland in the 13th century, and holds the stories of many of the Pre-Christian myths of northern Europe. It is believed to have been composed by the Icelander Snorri Sturlusson. Snorra Edda consists of three separate parts, Gylfaginning, Skaldskápamál and Háttatal, all functioning together as a greater work and guide for the aspiring medieval poet and storyteller.
commentary
Þórr is the god of thunder, the killer of jötnar and the strongest amongst the Æsir. He is named Óðinns son and the brother of Baldr. He is described as immensly strong being the defender of the gods, red-bearded and said to be the short-tempered and rather gullible or simple-minded. His wife is the goddess Sif and he lives in Þrúðheimr or Þrúðvangr. He travels through the worlds in his chariot drawn by his male goats Tanngrísnir and Tanngnjóstr hunting for jötnar. His hammer Mjöllnir is his most famous attribute, a weapon of great power often used as he hunts to kill the jötnar. The symbol of the hammer also is a recurrent symbol found in archaeological contexts throughout northern Europe. Þórr’s greatest enemy is the Midgard serpent which he battles several times as seen in Hymiskviða. He finally succeeds in killing the serpent at Ragnarök only to die himself shortly after being poisoned by the serpent in the battle, as told in Völuspá 56 and Gylfaginning 50.
For more, see:
Ellis Davidson, H. R, (1990), Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. London: Penguin Books. pp. 73-90
Perkins, R. (2001). Thor the wind-raiser and the Eyrarland image. (Viking Society for Northern Research
Simek, Rudolf (2007), Transl: Angela Hall. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer. pp. 317-326.
Steinsland, Gro (2005), Norrøn Religion. Myter, Riter, Samfunn. Oslo: Pax Forlag. pp.195-207.
Taggart, D. (2018), How Thor Lost his Thunder. The Changing Faces of an Old Norse God. Routledge Research in Medieval Studies 14. London & New York: Routledge
(Contributed by Liv Marit Aurdal.)
tags
Main text: Skáldskaparmál
Attributes: Mythological sea journey battle Female Hammer God of war Battle Goat troll Giants Drinking Giantess Þórr associated with sea or sailing Drinking or toasting vessel drinking horn Female beings VB Ring River Æsir Serpent/snake
Named things:
Text sections: SnSt, Skm ch. 11b