Norse & the Eddas
The core myth corpus is preserved mainly in two compilations: the Poetic Edda (anonymous lays from various dates) and Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda (13th century). Reading more than one translation helps you notice interpretive differences.
Accessible Translations (Public Domain & Modern)
- Poetic Edda (Bellows, public domain)
- Prose Edda (Brodeur, public domain)
- Modern print translations (e.g., Larrington, Crawford) offer updated scholarship; consult publisher sites or libraries.
Reading Notes
- Prose summaries in Snorri reflect his Christian-era context; compare with the poems where possible.
- Names shift across languages (Old Norse, Old English, Latinized forms). Glossaries help.
- For skaldic contexts, look for annotated editions or academic projects that provide manuscript notes.
