Samráðskviður

Samráðskviður are a genre of Old Norse poetry that translates to "consultation verses" or "advisory poems." These poems are characterized by a dialogue or debate between two or more speakers, often personified natural forces, deities, or abstract concepts. The primary purpose of samráðskviður is to explore a particular issue or theme through the contrasting viewpoints presented by the speakers.

These poems are typically found within the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse heroic and mythological poems. While not a distinct genre in the same way as eddic lays or skaldic poetry, the term samráðskviður is used by scholars to categorize poems that share this dialogical structure. Examples often cited include Hávamál, which features Odin offering advice, and Vafþrúðnismál, a wisdom contest between Odin and the giant Vafþrúðnir. In these poems, the speakers engage in question-and-answer exchanges, presenting arguments and counter-arguments.

The content of samráðskviður often delves into themes of wisdom, fate, morality, and the nature of the divine or the cosmos. They offer insights into the worldview and values of pre-Christian Norse society. The poetic form is generally eddic, characterized by its meter and alliterative verse. The impersonal and often generalized nature of the advice or discussions in these poems contributes to their advisory function, providing guidance on how to live a good life or understand the world.