AlvÃssmál
The Alvíssmál ( Song of Alwis ) is a divine song of the Poetic Edda. It consists of 36 verses.
Doer figures
- Thor, son of Odin and mighty Ase Norse mythology
- Alwis ( " the Wise " ), dwarf, Thor's adversaries in Alwislied
Content
The focus of the Alwisliedes is a rhetorical contest between Thor and Alwis, which ends with the death of the dwarf.
At the beginning Alwis is invited for a Thor. Both are external to one another unknown. On demand Alwis explains the surprised Thor, that he got engaged during the absence of Asen secretly with his daughter and his angedachte bride now wants to help in their future home. Thor's will is to prevent the wedding. He explains the engagement to be invalid, since in his view (ie his own ) is necessary according to the Father's approval. Alwis makes it clear that he is not happy there, and confirms its willingness to marry the daughter of the Aesir. As a compromise, Thor strikes a poetic contest before: Alwis has the God of his knowledge of poetic vocabulary, explain their synonyms and applications among the various peoples of the Nordic mythology. For example, Thor asks in the ninth stanza, use what word the other peoples of the "earth", and Alwis are synonyms for the corresponding answer:
10 So tell me, Alwis, since all beings, Kluger dwarf, you realize What is the earth, the allernährende, In all the worlds?
11 Earth humans, the Aesir field, The Vanir call path, Allgrün the Joten, the elves growth, Clay they are called higher powers.
After a total of twelve other issues, the first rays of light and Alwis turned to stone. (see Dwarf ( mythology) )
Thor proves Alwis his respect for his vast knowledge, but at the same time admits traded one with guile, and to have caused the petrification of the dwarf knowingly by the delayed output of the rivalry intentionally.
Structure
The Gods song has 36 verses. The first nine verses deal to hold a poetry contest with the presentation of the initial situation, as well as the letter of intent. Selbiger competition overlaps the verses 10 to 35, the last verse is the word of farewell Thor. Both characters speak exactly the same number of verses, ie 18
Worth mentioning are major differences between the various translations. The transmission Felix Genzmer is a verse shorter than the version Karl Joseph Simrock.