Balder the Glorious
In the chapter entitled “Baldr and Loki” in R.I. Page’s book, Norse Myths, he takes a close look at the character Balder and how he relates to two very different stories of how he was killed. First is the Snorri version of the Death of Balder and second being the Saxo version. Page states that Baldr “is the best of all gods, fair in complexion and nature, wise, eloquent and full of grace, yet ineffectual.”(Page 47) He is mentioned many times throughout Norse mythology but there are few myths actually focused around him. A lot is focused around Baldr’s invulnerability. Baldr is the most loved and perfect of the gods and is killed, but later in Norse mythology is reborn when a new better world is created. Page brings up the similarities this has to a popular Christian belief of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death. He points out that this is no coincidence bei
In comparing the two myths about how Baldr was killed the Snorri version is much more colorful. The Saxo version is meant to be real history not mythology (Page 51). Baldr is killed when fighting for the throne and a woman Nanna. In this story Baldr is not so perfect playing the role of the aggressor trying to steal Hotherus’ throne and woman. This adaptation presents Baldr as a half-god, or semideus, because his parents were false divinities only holding the title in vanity. Section II. Definition of three Terms Semideus- something that is semideus is considered half or part god. Examples are Baldr in Saxo version of Norse mythology or Herakles in Greek mythology. Gesta Danorum- The collection of Norse myths interpreted by Saxo Grammaticus as apposed to Snorri’s collection of Norse mythology. Kennings- Chants that contain poetic devices sang by ancient Norseman. Often sang in gathering and be
Some topics in this essay:
Osiris Adonis,
Goodness Beauty,
Page Baldr,
Archetype Archetype,
Baldr Snorri’s,
Saxo Grammaticus,
Kennings- Chants,
Norse Myths,
Jesus Christ’s,
Gesta Danorum-,
norse mythology,
saxo version,
killed snorri version,
norse myths,
baldr perfect,
archetypal symbol,
throne woman,
collection norse,
snorri version,
killed snorri,
baldr killed,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 630
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
Example Essays Home
