Skáldskaparmál

The Skáldskaparmál, the doctrine of poetic language is the third part of the Snorra Edda, which is directly linked to the mythological doctrine of Gylfaginning. In it one of the most comprehensive collections of quotations skaldischer poetry of the 9th to 12th century is gathered; it combines with pre-Christian syncretic and Christian motifs. Snorri's collection occupies the rules, practice and stylistic figures skaldischer seal up to his time.

The Skáldskaparmál is mainly a skaldic style teaching. In a poetological dialogue between Bragi and Ägir presents Snorri hundreds of Skaldenstrophen or parts of verses, which introduces the whole system of Skaldic paraphrase technique. In Chapters 2-52 Snorri lists the kennings and metaphors, which consist of at least two words. Then the list of Heiti, a list of synonyms follows.

The Skáldskaparmál is a compressed text-book, in which is Snorri theory and practice of skaldic verse, and the rules to examples. The teachings of the author are repeatedly interrupted by prose pieces; in the body of Bragi speeches explains complicated kennings Snorri.

The Skáldskaparmál survived not only skaldic verses, but also

• Nordic myths or Mythenabbrevationen such as the myths rest of Aurvandill, the myth of the Poets FAQ, of the rape of Idun, of Thor's battles with giants or of Loki's deeds.
• Germanic and Norse sagas from among the Nibelungen, the Gothic king Ermanarich and the Danish kings Fródi and Hrólfr Kraki.
• Definitions.

Together with the Gylfaginning is the Skáldskarparmál, next to the Poetic Edda, a significant written source of Norse mythology. As the Gylfaginning may also Skáldskaparmál not be construed as an authentic reproduction of pre-Christian Germanic beliefs. The Snorra Edda was born in a Christian Iceland and Snorri himself not only had an extraordinary spiritual education: He was also a Christian, high medieval scholar with historical consciousness and, for its time, strict scientific standards.