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Thank goodness for obsessive Icelandic historians! Another one, Snorri Sturluson, is responsible for writing down much of the Norse mythology that we know of to
by Fezzik 5y ago
Thank goodness for obsessive Icelandic historians! Another one, Snorri Sturluson, is responsible for writing down much of the Norse mythology that we know of today. He is cited a bunch in The Norse Myths (a great book, in my humble opinion. Though I may be biased based on my fealty to my Norwegian heritage).
Edit: spelling
- krapp 5y agoUnfortunately, Snorri Sturlson was no historian. What he wrote down was a Christian reframing of Norse mythology as political and religious propaganda, leaving almost no trace of the original, native mythology for the historical record.
- goto11 5y agoIs that fair? Since we have no pre-Christian sources to compare to, it is hard to say how fairly Snorri represent the tradition. (Obviously the bit where he explains the Norse gods as descendants of princes of Troy is of dubious authenticity.)
- krapp 5y agoThat's exactly the problem - we don't know. There are many elements that look suspiciously like attempts at Christian syncretism, like Baldr's death and resurrection, and Ragnarok (a fiery apocalypse survived by one man and one woman, where one God reigns supreme.) All we know is that there was Christian influence, because Snorri was a Christian, living and writing in Christianized Scandinavia to a Christian audience.
- troyvit 5y agowhat's your basis for saying that?