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Questions tagged [gylfaginning]

Questions about the Gylfaginning, the first book of the Prose Edda.

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16 votes
5 answers
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Are dwarves and dark elves the same?

I remember reading somewhere that in Norse mythology dwarves and dark elves are the same thing. Then I started reading Gylfaginning and it sounded like they were different, but then later on they send ...
Salvador's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
391 views

Significance of Gylfi's choice of pseudonym

When Gylfi tries to trick the gods into entering Asgard under a false identity, he adopts the name Gangleri. Later, during his discussion with Hár, Jafnhár, and Þriðji, it is revealed to him in ...
plannapus's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
213 views

Why is Gylfe trying to deceit his way into Asgard?

In the Gylfaginning, king Gylfe travels to Asgard disguised as an old man. When asked, he introduces himself with a fake name (Ganglere). The Aesir are on to him from the start, however they don't ...
yannis's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
331 views

Who is the sword juggler in the Gylfaginning?

In chapter 2 of the Gylfaginning, Gylfe is lead to Odin (in the form of High, Just-as-High, and Third) by a nameless sword juggler: In the door of the hall Gylfe saw a man who played with swords ...
yannis's user avatar
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13 votes
1 answer
609 views

Why does Óðr (Oder) travel away from Freyja?

In chapter 36 of the Gylfaginning, it is said that: The sixth is Freyja, who is ranked with Frigg. She is wedded to the man whose name is Oder; their daughter's name is Hnos, and she is so fair ...
HDE 226868's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
976 views

Why is Vidar silent?

In chapter 29 of the Gylfaginning, Snorri Sturluson calls Vidar "the silent asa": Vidar is the name of the silent asa. He has a very thick shoe, and he is the strongest next after Thor. ...
yannis's user avatar
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20 votes
4 answers
2k views

Does Odin choose who enters Valhalla?

Ero Sɘnnin's answer in How was it decided which warriors would go to Fólkvangr and which to Valhalla? seems to suggest that Odin gets to choose who enters Valhalla: Valhalla is presided over by ...
yannis's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
642 views

According to the Gylfaginning, where do giants live?

I'm reading the Gylfaginning as part of our site's myth of the month challenge, and I noticed the following line: How was the earth fashioned? Made answer Har: The earth is round, and without it ...
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8 votes
1 answer
196 views

Who fathered Gefjun's ox sons?

Gefjun, an Aesir, apparently had four ox sons with a giant: But this woman was of the asa-race; her name was Gefjun. She took from the north, from Jotunheim, four oxen, which were the sons of a giant ...
yannis's user avatar
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16 votes
2 answers
820 views

How are future apocalyptic events detailed so greatly?

For example, From Wikipedia article on Ragnarök (emphasis mine): In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of ...
Ero Sɘnnin's user avatar
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