Svipdagsmál

Svipdagsmál is one of the shortest and most enigmatic poems in the *Poetic Edda*, the Old Norse collection of poems that preserves much of the pre-Christian mythology and heroic legends of the Scandinavian peoples. The poem is attributed to the skald (poet) Þjóðólfr of Hvinir, a prominent figure in Old Norse literature, and is believed to date from the late 9th or early 10th century.

Svipdagsmál consists of only 12 stanzas and tells the story of Svipdag, a legendary figure from Norse mythology. The poem recounts how Svipdag, a man of noble birth, was cursed by his father, King Hring, who had been betrayed by his wife. The curse foretold that Svipdag would die by the hand of his own son. Despite this ominous prophecy, Svipdag lived a long and prosperous life, fathering many children, including a son named Hring. When Hring grew to adulthood, he sought to fulfill the curse by killing his father. However, Svipdag had foreseen this and had prepared a shield with a special enchantment. When Hring struck him with his sword, the blade shattered against the shield, and Svipdag died from the wound. The poem concludes with Svipdag’s final words, expressing his sorrow at the betrayal by his son.

The poem is notable for its concise narrative structure and the dramatic tension created by the curse and its fulfillment. While its brevity makes it one of the simplest stories in the Edda, it serves as an example of the skaldic tradition, where poetic form and mythological themes intertwine. Svipdagsmál is often studied alongside other Norse sagas and poems for its insights into early Scandinavian values, fate, and the complexities of familial relationships. The poem’s ambiguous ending and the tragic irony of the curse’s execution have led to various interpretations by scholars, contributing to its enduring place in Norse literary tradition.