The Poetic Edda: The Ancient Voice of Norse Myth and Legend Introduction
The Poetic Edda is one of the most important surviving sources of Old Norse mythology and heroic legend. Unlike the Prose Edda, which was compiled by Snorri Sturluson in the thirteenth century, the Poetic Edda is a collection of anonymous poems. These verses are older in origin, rooted in the 'Viking Age' and possibly earlier though they were only written down in Iceland in the late Middle Ages.
The Codex Regius: A Manuscript Treasure
The Poetic Edda survives chiefly thanks to a single manuscript known as the Codex Regius (The King’s Book), written around 1270. This manuscript contains 31 poems, of which about two thirds are mythological and the rest heroic.
Its survival is somewhat of a miracle, you see for centuries it laid around unnoticed until it was presented to the Danish king in 1643. It then remained in Copenhagen until 1971, when it was ceremonially returned to Iceland.
The Codex is not the only source for Eddic poetry. Some additional Eddic poems survive in other manuscripts, such as AM 748 I 4to and the Hauksbók. But the Codex Regius remains the central and most precious witness. Without it, our knowledge of Norse mythology would be drastically reduced.
What the Poetic Edda Contains Mythological Poems Roughly the first half of the collection is devoted to mythological material. These poems recount the deeds of gods, giants, and cosmic beings.
Among the highlights are:
• Vǫluspá (The Seeress’s Prophecy) - which narrates the creation of the world, the struggles of the gods, and the cataclysm of Ragnarök.
• Hávamál (The Sayings of the High One) - a long and varied poem in which Odin offers wisdom, advice, and magical lore.
• Vafþrúðnismál - a contest of knowledge between Odin and the giant Vafþrúðnir, revealing cosmological secrets.
• Grímnismál - where Odin, in disguise, delivers a catalogue of divine lore.
• Poems about Thor’s encounters with giants, such as Þrymskviða, the comical tale of the theft of his hammer.
Read more about the Codex Regius here! >
Heroic Poems
The latter half of the Codex shifts to heroic legend. These poems recount tales of mortal heroes, though the line between human and mythic is often blurred. Among them are the stories of the Vǫlsungs and the Nibelungs including the dragon slayer Sigurð, the tragic Brynhildr, and the doomed hero Gunnar. These narratives link Old Norse tradition with the broader Germanic heroic cycle, including the Nibelungenlied.
Poetic Style and Form
The poems of the Poetic Edda are composed in traditional Old Norse alliterative verse. The main metres include fornyrðislag (old story metre), ljóðaháttr (song metre), and málaháttr. These forms rely on stress and alliteration rather than rhyme.
Compared with the dense and ornamented style of skaldic poetry, Eddic verse is relatively straightforward. Its language is stark, direct, and powerful, often conveying a sense of mystery or prophecy. This simplicity is deceptive however, as the poems often layer multiple meanings and rely on cultural knowledge to grasp their full significance.
Themes and Worldview
The Poetic Edda reflects a worldview both fatalistic and heroic. Fate (wyrd or urðr) looms over gods and humans alike, and even Odin cannot escape the prophecy of Ragnarök. Honour, wisdom, and courage are prized, even in the face of inevitable doom.
At the same time, the poems offer flashes of humour, tenderness, and humanity. Thor’s hammer wedding in Þrymskviða is comic in tone, while Hávamál mixes practical advice with deep philosophical reflection. The heroic poems, meanwhile, are steeped in tragedy, exploring betrayal, vengeance, and the destructive cycle of human passions.
Authorship and Origins
Unlike the Prose Edda, which has a known author, the Poetic Edda is anonymous. The poems were composed orally over centuries by countless poets, storytellers, and communities. Scholars debate their dates: some may go back to the ninth or even the eighth century, while others could be closer to the time of the manuscript’s writing. What is certain is that they preserve traditions much older than their thirteenth century recording.
Influence and Legacy
The Poetic Edda has had an enormous influence on literature and culture. In the nineteenth century it became a key source for Romantic nationalism in Scandinavia and Germany. In the twentieth century, writers such as J. R. R. Tolkien drew deeply on its imagery and themes for works like The Lord of the Rings. Modern poets, artists, musicians, and even video games continue to mine its stories for inspiration.
For scholars, the Poetic Edda is essential for reconstructing Norse religion and mythology. Its verses provide the raw material that Snorri Sturluson later shaped in his Prose Edda. By comparing the two, researchers can test Snorri’s interpretations against the older poetic sources.
Why It Matters Today
The Poetic Edda matters not only because of what it tells us about the past but because of how vividly it speaks to universal human concerns. Its themes of fate, wisdom, courage, love, betrayal, and renewal continue to resonate. The stark beauty of its language and the depth of its mythological imagination ensure its place as one of the great classics of world literature.
The Poetic Edda is more than a book; it is a survival of a living oral tradition, a voice from the 'Viking Age' carried across centuries by scribes and scholars. Through its myths and heroic tales, we glimpse the beliefs, fears, and hopes of a people who lived a thousand years ago but whose concerns remain strangely familiar. For modern readers, it offers not only knowledge but inspiration. It is a reminder that poetry and myth can preserve the soul of a culture long after its temples have fallen silent.