Everything about H Vam L totally explained
Hávamál ("
Sayings of the high one") is presented as a single poem in the
Poetic Edda. The poem, itself a combination of different poems, largely presents advice for living and survival composed around the central figure of
Odin and some verses are written from the perspective of Odin. Composed in the
metre Ljóðaháttr, a metre associated with wisdom verse,
Hávamál is both practical and metaphysical in content. This is particularly apparent towards the end of the poem, as the poem shifts into an account of Odin's obtaining of the
runic alphabet and obscure text relating to various charms and spells Odin knows.
The only surviving source for
Hávamál is contained within the 13th century
Codex Regius and is thought to be no older than from around the year 800 CE though derived from an earlier oral tradition. An early reference to the poem is by
Eyvindr skáldaspillir, found in
Hákonarmál from around the year 960 CE.
Poems
The poems in
Havamal shift in tone, tenor and narrative position. Numerous English translations exist of the text.
Gestaþáttr
The first section
Gestaþáttr, the "guest's section". Stanzas 1 through 79 comprise a set of maxims for how to handle oneself when a guest and traveling, focusing particularly on
manners and other behavioral relationships between hosts and guests and the sacred
lore of
reciprocity and
hospitality to the
Norse pagans.
The first stanza exemplifies the practical behavioral advice it offers:
» All the entrances, before you walk forward,
you should look at, » you should spy out;
for you can't know for certain where enemies are sitting, » ahead in the hall
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Loddfáfnismál
Loddfáfnismál, the next major section of
Hávamál, deals with morals,
ethics, correct action and codes of conduct. The section is directed to
Loddfáfnir ("stray-singer"), stands in the place of the reader (or, as was the case at the time, the listener), hence the name for this section.
Rúnatal
Rúnatal or
Óðins Rune Song (
Rúnatáls-tháttr-Óðins) is a section of the
Hávamál where Odin reveals the origins of the runes. It runs from Stanzas' 138 through to 165. In section 138, Odin describes his self-sacrifice (to himself):
» Veit ec at ec hecc vindga meiði a
:netr allar nío, » geiri vndaþr oc gefinn Oðni,
sialfr sialfom mer, » a þeim meiþi, er mangi veit, hvers hann af rótom renn.
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» I know that I hung on a windy tree
:nine long nights, » wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin,
myself to myself, » on that tree of which no man knows
from where its roots run.
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In Stanza 139, Odin continues:
Further Information
Get more info on 'H Vam L'.
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