Guðrúnarþulur

Guðrúnarþulur, meaning "Guðrún's stanzas," is a collection of Old Norse poems found in the Poetic Edda. These poems focus on the tragic life of Guðrún, a central figure in Norse mythology, particularly her relationships with Sigurð and Brynhildr. The poems detail her complex emotional journey, marked by love, betrayal, revenge, and sorrow.

The Guðrúnarþulur are divided into several sections, each exploring a different aspect of Guðrún's life and the events surrounding her. They provide valuable insight into Norse concepts of fate, honor, and vengeance. The narrative style is often characterized by its starkness and emotional intensity, reflecting the harsh realities of the mythical world they depict.

Scholars generally consider these poems to be later additions to the Eddic corpus, possibly compiled from various sources to present a coherent narrative of Guðrún's saga. Despite their later origin, they are considered important for understanding the development of the Sigurð legend and the portrayal of female characters in Old Norse literature. The poems highlight Guðrún's agency and her enduring impact on the events that unfold.