Major themes in Gylfaginning 1-34:
Covenant and Contest [cf. Otter’s Ransom, etc]
Gefjon’s bargain for Seland Gangleri’s challenge of Bor & Ymir (covenant or stronger Frig/Freya marriage alliance? Njord for Hoenir Odin’s eye for drink of Mimir Wisdom hanging on Yggdrasil [draw rough schema with roots to Midgard (3), Mimir (Norns), Nifleim (Hel); eagle Ratoskar Nidthogg and stags devour Typical of this sense of im-pending doom like Bab. Erra
Tyr and Fenrir |
Odin’s character Creator--Allfather Culture hero-Golden Age before Women from Jotunheim Shaman and Lord of Heroic dead in Valhalla, with Valkyries Father by Jord of Thor ... ....by Frig (love?) of Baldr |
Lesser characters: Njord & Skadi (& Nerthus?) Frey and Freya
Bragi and Idun (poetry and immortal youth)
Heimdall
Hoedir/Hödr blind (name taboo?) [and Saxo says, Danish king] Notable only as agent of Balder’s death |
Continue with these themes for Gylfaginning 38ff: esp.
Siring of Sleipnir
journey to Utgard
Dear of Balder and Ragnarokr