Jeramy dodds is the author of crabwise to the hounds, which won the 2009 trillium book award for poetry and was shortlisted for the griffin. The poem is one of the most vigorous of the entire collection, and seems to have been preserved in exceptionally good condition. He studied english literature and anthropology at trent university, medieval icelandic studies at the university of iceland, and has worked as a research archaeologist in canada. His poems have won the cbc literary prize and the bronwen wallace memorial award.
What was recommended because of its story, or popularity, but then shocked you with its eventual letdown. Jeramy dodds transmits the old icelandic text into english without chipping the patina of the original. The language flows crisply and effortlessly in the hands of dodds, and is accessible. The codex regius is arguably the most important extant source on norse mythology and germanic heroic. Jeramy dodds has an informative intro explaining some of his translation decisions, which i thought were helpful, along with some history of the icelandic language. The poetic edda is essentially a collection of multiple mythological poems and hero poems detailing the lives and adventures of several prominent norse gods, warriors, and kings. I notice the translator has translated lots of books from icelandic. His most recent publications are a translation of the poetic edda coach house.
It is worthwhile to note that the term prose was only attached to the prose edda to distinguish it from the poetic edda. The poetic edda second edition, revised translated by lee. The manuscript was written by one hand not known elsewhere, and is dated palaeographically to about 12701280. Nov 18, 2014 the poetic edda translated by jeramy dodds is a highly readable and extremely engaging translation. Poetic edda and prose edda free essays, term papers. The poetic edda by august strindberg and a great selection of. Im comparing hollander, bellows, crawford, kvilhaug, dodds. Snorri quotes four lines of it, grouped together as a single stanza. Jeramy dodds born 4 december 1974 in ajax, ontario is a canadian poet born in ajax, ontario, dodds grew up in orono, ontario. The poetic and prose eddas are ancient norse texts containing information about the origins of the universe according to norse mythology. I usually read and study one or a few poems at a time, put the book aside, and then get back to it later.
Jeramy doddss first collection of poems, crabwise to the hounds, won the trillium book award for poetry and was shortlisted for the griffin poetry prize. Along with snorri sturlusons prose edda, the poetic edda is the most important extant source on norse mythology and germanic heroic legends. As such, theres a ton of magic, murder, and viking mayhem, but nothing resembling an overall plot. Voluspa the wisewomans prophecy or the prophecy of the witch. The modern poetic translation of jeremy dodds cannot be recommended. Jeramy dodds reading from his translation of the poetic edda. Actually, you can check out the myth right here at shmoop, but well give you a quick summary anyway. Jun 09, 2015 jeramy dodds reading from his translation of the poetic edda at awp minneapolis 2015. The lokasenna is found only in regius, where it follows the hymiskvitha. Dodds has brought forth an exciting new translation of these medieval icelandic poems. During the th century these myths were collected and written down in codex regius. He received a ba from trent university in english literature and anthropology and an ma from the university of iceland in medieval icelandic studies.
Jeramy dodds reading from his translation of the poetic edda at awp minneapolis 2015. The poetic edda is an epochmaking cache of mythological and heroic tales that have compelled wagner, tolkien, borges and auden, among many others. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. If you are interested in a closer look, you may find english translations of both on. The poetic edda begins with the seeresss prophecy which recounts the creation of the world, and looks forward to its destruction and rebirth. Dec 11, 2008 buy the poetic edda oxford worlds classics reissue by larrington, carolyne isbn. So important to the stock of norse mythology, this great. The poetic edda is a later manuscript dating from the second half of the th century, but containing older materials hence its alternative title, the elder edda. There will never be one english translation of the poetic edda which satisfies every reader and every purpose. The poetic eddas are the oral literature of iceland, which were finally written down from to 0 c. Dec 11, 2014 the poetic edda is essentially a collection of multiple mythological poems and hero poems detailing the lives and adventures of several prominent norse gods, warriors, and kings.
The poetic edda by carolyne larrington, paperback barnes. The eddas are a primary source for our knowledge of ancient norse pagan beliefs. Its tales of strife and death form a repository, in poetic form, of norse mythology and heroic lore, embodying both the ethical views and the cultural life of the north during the late heathen and early christian times. The poetic edda is the modren attribution for an unnamed collection o auld norse poems. The first translation ive read of the poetic edda i dont mean to imply ive read the original language edition. Jeramy dodds jeramy dodds grew up in orono, ontario, canada. Along with snorri sturlusons prose edda, the poetic edda is the most important extant source on.
The unknown compiler of the book grouped the ballads thematically and thus the book can be divided into two parts, the mythological and the heroic. The poetic edda also called the elder edda is a collection of epical poems about norse gods and heroes. What book did you endure but severely disappointed you. The poetic edda translated by jeramy dodds is a highly readable and extremely engaging translation. What is the difference between the prose edda and the poetic edda. While several versions exist, aw consist primarily o text frae the icelandic mediaeval manuscript kent as the codex regius.
Committed to vellum in iceland around 1270, the poetic edda has compelled the likes of richard wagner, j. Oct 28, 2017 the poetic edda also called the elder edda is a collection of epical poems about norse gods and heroes. The poems of the poetic edda form the most complete and authentic body of surviving prechristian germanic religious and magical lore. Most of what we know of norse mythology comes from two sources. It is a collection of mythological and heroic poems of unknown authorship, composed over a long read more. Buy the poetic edda oxford worlds classics reissue by larrington, carolyne isbn. It is the fullest and most detailed source for modern knowledge of germanic mythology.
Jeramy doddss first collection, crabwise to the hounds, won the trillium book award for poetry and was shortlisted for the griffin poetry prize. Edda, body of ancient icelandic literature contained in two thcentury books commonly distinguished as the prose, or younger, edda and the poetic, or elder, edda. Born in ajax, ontario, jeramy dodds grew up in orono, ontario. I appreciate that any notes on the text or translation appear either at the beginning or the end, so that it can be read seamlessly and uninterrupted. The poems originated in iceland, norway, and greenland between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, when they were compiled in a unique manuscript known as the codex regius the poems are primarily lyrical rather than narrative. While several versions exist, aw consist primarily o text frae the icelandic mediaeval manuscript kent as. Many of the poems predate the conversion of scandinavia to christianity, allowing us to glimpse the pagan beliefs of the north.
Jeramy dodds is the author of crabwise to the hounds, which won the 2009 trillium book award for poetry and was shortlisted for the griffin poetry prize. The poetic edda is a brilliant bookplayful and imaginative. The great poetic tradition of prechristian scandinavia is known to us almost exclusively though the poetic edda. Poetic edda is the modern attribution for an unnamed collection of old norse anonymous poems, which is different from the edda written by snorri sturluson. A book of viking lore translated and edited by andy orchard. Since the rediscovery of the poetic edda in the seventeenth century, its poetry has fascinated artists as diverse as thomas gray, richard wagner, and jorge luis borges. His debut poetry collection, crabwise to the hounds coach house books, 2008, received the 2009 trillium book award for poetry, an born in ajax, ontario, jeramy dodds grew up in orono, ontario. The poetic edda contains 35 poems, some of which are very complicated. The poetic edda comprises a treasure trove of mythic and spiritual verse holding an important place in nordic culture, literature, and heritage. His poems have been translated into latvian, hungarian, finnish, french, swedish, icelandic and german. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as cds or. This is the first complete translation to be published in britain for fifty years, and it includes a scholarly introduction, notes, a genealogy of the gods and giants, and an.
Sacred texts legends and sagas iceland buy this book at. Sep 11, 2014 the poetic edda by carolyne larrington, 9780199675340, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The mythological part begins with voluspa the seeress prophecy, probably the most quoted part of the poetic edda. Fifty shades of grey and twilight are notorious as popular but poorly written novels, so staving those aside, what are some others.
The prose edda is related to the poetic edda in that the prose edda cites various poems collected in the poetic edda as sources. The mythological poems explore the wisdom of the gods and giants, narrating the adventures of the god thor against the hostile giants and the gods rivalries amongst themselves. The poetic edda translated by henry adams bellows 1936 contents start reading page index text zipped the poetic eddas are the oral literature of iceland, which were finally written down from to 0 c. Codex regius of the poetic edda is an icelandic manuscript of ninety small quarto pages, but the fifth gathering, probably 16 pages, is now lost. The poetic edda by jeramy dodds pdf, ebook read online.
The mythological poems by bellows, henry adams isbn. House books, 2004 and the poetic edda coach house books. His debut poetry collection, crabwise to the hounds coach house books, 2008, received the 2009 trillium book award for. In this rousing linebyline translation, awardwinning poet jeramy dodds transmits the old icelandic text into english, placing it in the hands of poetry fans and. Internet archive bookreader the poetic edda internet archive bookreader the poetic edda. Jackson crawfords new english translation of the poetic edda presents the stories of the norse gods and heroes in bracing. It tells the story of the creation of the world as. The poetic edda was ripe for a reconsideration, and jeramy dodds, exceptional poet and. Translations are very scarce and typically come from only a couple sources. This text now form the primary document for the poetic edda but other poems of a similar type and age are often included. The collection of norseicelandic mythological and heroic poetry known as the poetic edda contains the great narratives of the creation of the world and the coming of ragnarok, the doom of the gods.
He studied english literature and anthropology at trent university, and then decided to go overseas to the university of icenland to specialize in medieval icelandic studies. Odin and his brothers, vili and ve slay the giant ymir and use his blood and bones to fashion the world and its inhabitants. The mythological poems of the elder edda hold the keys to the understanding and practice of the prechristian religion of the germanic peoples. It is one of the few extent sources that provide a periscope into the viking age consciousness. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the poetic edda. The poetic edda is not a book you read from beginning to end like a novel. Poets have tackled retranslations of inferno, sir gawain, beowulf. Several versions exist, all primarily of text from the icelandic medieval manuscript known as the codex regius, which contains 31 poems.
Amazon pay best sellers mobiles customer service new releases pantry sell computers books. Montrealbased poet, translator and editor jeramy doddss second trade. What im looking for is a copy of the poetic edda that is as close to the original as possible but translated to english and unabridged, cause i want to enjoy the old norse stories as others enjoyed them ages ago. However, in case you downloadable this kind of software and still have worked with your ex, youll be able to end up being the initial consumer, which will depart the opinions. What are the best translations of the prose edda by. An english translation of the old icelandic poetic edda is his most recent publication. The poetic edda index internet sacred text archive. It is the old custom, and the poetic edda holds a vital place in it. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia jeramy dodds born 4 december 1974 in ajax, ontario is a canadian poet. This translation of the poetic eddas by henry adams bellows is highly readable. There are satisfactory translations in norwegian and swedish probably more so than in english. This newly revised edition of the poetic edda uses the more readable, highly acclaimed olive bray translation and contains the prophecy of the wise woman and the havamal.
Born in ajax, ontario, dodds grew up in orono, ontario. What is the difference between the prose edda and the poetic. He is the winner of the 2006 bronwen wallace memorial award and the 2007 cbc literary award in poetry. The poetic edda, translated by henry adams bellows. For the prose edda, these two english translations are equally acceptable.