tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post8189409842291238850..comments2024-03-23T12:38:46.260+00:00Comments on The History Girls: The HávamálMary Hoffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241989732624913706noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-87866420837558502862014-11-16T09:25:14.635+00:002014-11-16T09:25:14.635+00:00Any similarity between the Bible and The Words of ...Any similarity between the Bible and The Words of Odin may be due to Odin's words having been written down after conversion to Christianity.<br /><br />I think it's just as likely that both works simply gather together the kind of human wisdom that arises from having to rub along together.<br /><br />It's the same with morality - Do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness - these aren't 'christian.' They are the rules that arise in any society - especially in an age when it was vital that people cooperated to survive rather than bicker and feud.Susan Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738737493756183909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-48206553464732136352014-11-15T21:54:58.012+00:002014-11-15T21:54:58.012+00:00Sue, I love that- especially the bit about 'an...Sue, I love that- especially the bit about 'anything passes for wit at home'! The translation I have is very smooth and polished, but several reviewers have complained it's incomplete. Yours looks more faithful.<br />Jane, I'm always fascinated by the overlap between the surviving Norse material and Christianity. I often wonder how much is attributable to the fact that the Norse tales weren't written down until after the 'conversion' to Christianity. <br />Carol - wow, what an amazing story! The Havamal, like your publicist, advises getting up and leaving once arguments start at a feast as they can lead to violence and feuds. Good sense!Marie-Louise Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006940874591015786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-81838120734632968142014-11-15T17:22:32.226+00:002014-11-15T17:22:32.226+00:00What fascinates me about the second example is how...What fascinates me about the second example is how similar it is to the wisdom literature in the Bible (mostly in Proverbs). Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07338002014574933192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-25714515599744118442014-11-15T10:57:24.995+00:002014-11-15T10:57:24.995+00:00I love the 'Hover-mole'! I have a differen...I love the 'Hover-mole'! I have a different translation:<br /><br />'When you travel far from home,<br />Keep your mouth shut.<br />Anything passes for wit at home.<br /><br />In a stranger's hall, everyone will know<br />What a nincompoop you are<br />As soon as you open your mouth.<br /><br />Kin die, cattle die<br />And a man must die himself,<br />But the great name will never die<br />Of one who wins himself fame.<br /><br />When you deal with one who is no friend,<br />Speak him fair, though your mind be false,<br />And pay him measure for measure.<br /><br />On the open road, never let your weapon be more than five paces from your hand.'<br /><br />The Words of Odin is full of useful advice!Susan Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738737493756183909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-68749865114876243762014-11-15T10:36:32.615+00:002014-11-15T10:36:32.615+00:00I have never heard of this book, Marie-Louise. Thi...I have never heard of this book, Marie-Louise. This is not at all my area but it sounds fascinating nonetheless, and reminds me a tad of Ireland. I was once at a dinner party at the Shelbourne Hotel where a row further down the long table ensued. One man rose to his feet and challenged another to a duel, throwing down a glove. I was astounded. Both men went outside and my publicist said she thought it was time for us to say 'Goodnight'!Carol Drinkwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837854482139736944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-12572872938159234512014-11-15T10:28:33.970+00:002014-11-15T10:28:33.970+00:00It's short but very sweet, Ann! Sweet as in us...It's short but very sweet, Ann! Sweet as in useful rather than cute. Marie-Louise Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006940874591015786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-26058746529992452042014-11-15T09:21:21.632+00:002014-11-15T09:21:21.632+00:00What a great resource this must be! I'd never ...What a great resource this must be! I'd never heard of it before. <br /><br />Ann Turnbullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06484265041343702129noreply@blogger.com