Skáldskaparmál
The Skáldskaparmál , the doctrine of the language of poets, is the third part of the Snorra Edda , which is directly linked to the mythological structure of the Gylfaginning . It contains one of the most extensive collections of quotes from the 9th to 12th centuries of Skaldic poetry; it combines pre-Christian with syncretistic and Christian motifs. Snorri's collection documents the rules, practice and stylistic figures of Skaldic poetry up to his time.
The Skáldskaparmál is mainly a Skaldic style. In a poetological dialogue between Bragi and Aegir , Snorri presents hundreds of skaldic stanzas or parts of stanzas that represent the entire system of the Skaldic paraphrasing technique. In chapters 2-52, Snorri lists the kenningar and metaphors that consist of at least two words. This is followed by the listing of the Heiti , a list of synonyms .
The Skáldskaparmál is a condensed textbook in which Snorri presents the theory and practice of Skaldic poetry and explains the rules using examples. The author's instructions are repeatedly interrupted by prose parts; in the text part of Bragi's speeches , Snorri explains complicated Kenningar.
The Skáldskaparmál not only passes on scaldic stanzas, but also
- Nordic myths or myth abbrevations such as the remains of myths from Aurvandill , the myth of the skalding , the robbery of the Idun , of Thor's battles with giants or of Loki's deeds.
- Germanic and Nordic heroic legends from the circle of the Nibelungs , the Gothic king Ermanarich and the Danish kings Frodi and Hrólfr Kraki .
- Explanation of terms.
Together with the Gylfaginning , the Skáldskarparmál, along with the Edda of Songs , is an important written source of Norse mythology. Like the Gylfaginning, the Skáldskaparmál must not be understood as an authentic reproduction of pre-Christian Germanic beliefs. The Snorra Edda originated in a Christian Iceland and Snorri himself not only had an extraordinary intellectual education: he was also a Christian, high medieval scholar with historical awareness and, for his time, strictly scientific standards.
literature
- Rudolf Simek , Hermann Pálsson : Lexicon of Old Norse Literature (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 490). Kröner, Stuttgart 1987, ISBN 3-520-49001-3 .
- The Edda of Snorri Sturluson. selected, translated and commented by Arnulf Krause, Stuttgart, 1997
