The Prose Edda, also known as the Younger Edda, is a collection of Norse mythology and poetic theories written in Old Norse by the Icelandic scholar and historian Snorri Sturluson around the year 1220. It is one of the most important sources of Norse mythology and provides valuable insights into the religious beliefs, cosmology, and cultural practices of the Norse people.
The Prose Edda is divided into three main parts:
Gylfaginning (“The Beguiling of Gylfi”) This section of the Prose Edda presents a framing narrative where King Gylfi of Sweden disguises himself as an old man named Gangleri and visits the gods in Asgard. He engages in a dialogue with the gods, who explain the creation of the world, the nature of the gods and giants, and various mythological stories, including the adventures of Odin, Thor, Loki, and other Norse deities.
Skáldskaparmál (“The Language of Poetry”) This part of the Prose Edda focuses on the art of Norse poetry and includes numerous myths and legends used as examples to illustrate poetic techniques. It also provides a glossary of kennings (poetic metaphors) and other poetic devices commonly employed by Norse poets.
Háttatal (“Enumeration of Meters”) The final section of the Prose Edda is a catalog of poetic meters used in Norse poetry, along with examples of each meter composed by Snorri Sturluson himself.
Overall, the Prose Edda serves as a comprehensive guide to Norse mythology, poetry, and language, and it remains an essential source for scholars and enthusiasts interested in understanding the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Norse civilization.
