The Poetic Edda

The Poetic Edda is a collection of Old Norse poems, which were compiled in Iceland during the 13th century. Translated by Henry Adams Bellows in 1923, the poems were originally anonymous (although often attributed to 12th century Icelandic priest, Sæmundar Edda) and cover a range of topics, including mythology, heroic legends, and historical events. The work includes many well-known stories, such as the creation myth, the story of Odin and the Mead of Poetry, and the legend of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer, with vivid descriptions of the emotional states of the protagonists, Gods and heroes alike. Women play a prominent role in the Eddic age, and many of them are portrayed as skilled warriors. The Poetic Edda has had a significant influence on modern Scandinavian literature and culture, and is considered an important source of information about Norse mythology, being studied by scholars of Scandinavian history, literature, and folklore for centuries.