English 218 - Norse Poetry and Prose
Craig R. Davis
MWF 10-10:50 am

A close reading and in-class translation of Snorri's Prologue and Gylfaginning in his prose Edda ; Völuspá 'The Witch's Vision'; Hávamál 'Sayings of the High One'; and other verses of prophecy, wisdom, praise, grief, love, war, and magical incantation. Further translation of runic inscriptions in Old Danish and Old Swedish. We will also read selections from the Icelandic family sagas, in particular, Hrafnkel's Saga, the classic "short saga" of a young settler's violent career as priest of the god Freyr in the Eastfjords and one of the founding chieftains of the Icelandic Commonwealth . There will be a final translation project, selected by students from a wide range of texts and genres. No final exam. Prerequisite: English 212 or the equivalent.