Monday, November 4, 2013

VIKING POETRY






I am now reading J.R.R. Tolkien The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun.  It is an Icelandic epic saga – poetry - known as the Elda Etta.   It is presumed to be Norse legends probably written down about 700 a.d.   It begins with the creation legend.  It is interesting how all the major religions have a similar tale of the beginning – different gods but the same story: the earth is always created  for us by gods like us.     

Of old was an age
when was emptiness,
there was sand nor sea
nor surging waves;
unwrought was Earth
unroofed was Heaven –
an abyss yawning,
and no blades of grass.

The Great Gods then
begin their toil,
the wondrous world
they well builded.
From the South the Sun
from seas rising
gleamed down on grass
green at morning.

In the foreword by Tolkien’s son I find it fascinating that J.R.R Tolkien did not actually like his writing: The Hobbit.  He also noted that the name for the dwarfs came from the Elda Etta. 

the Ol'Buzzard


1 comment:

  1. Tolkien "borrowed" extensively from old lore and myths. He refashioned and retold them but he was not the most original of creators, it's true.

    ReplyDelete

COMMENT: Ben Franklin said, "I imagine a man must have a good deal of vanity who believes, and a good deal of boldness who affirms, that all doctrines he holds are true, and all he rejects are false."