English 12 2016

What follows are various retellings of the story or Ragnarok. The last one is from the Prose Edda, which is the version the rest are based upon.

THE TWILIGHT OF THE GODS

Old Norse Stories Version

The gods knew they were not to live forever. They knew that after the death of Balder, the sun would give no warmth. So they were not surprised, when the dreadful Fimbul winter came, which lasted three long years. Then the fire giants came from the south, and the frost giants came from the east. They met on the plains of Vigrid. The bright red cock of Asgard began to crow, and he was answered by the dark red cock of Hela.

Heimdal sounded the Gjallarhorn from the rainbow bridge; and Odin rode to battle, followed by all his brave warriors. The Midgard serpent came from the depths of the sea; the chains of Fenris Wolf were broken, and Loki led the forces of evil.

The strength of the gods was sadly impaired by their own mistakes and follies. Odin had but one eye; brave Tyr had but one hand; Frey had lost his conquering sword.

Odin sought out Fenris Wolf, whom he might have slain ages before; and there was a terrible battle. Fenris Wolf rushed upon him with open mouth, which reached from earth to heaven, and swallowed him up. But Odin's son, Vidar, the god of the silent forces of nature, slew the wolf.

Thor killed the Midgard serpent, and the poison of the serpent's breath destroyed Thor.

Surt, king of the fire giants, threw brands of fire upon the earth, and it was burned up.

Then a new earth appeared. Balder and Hoder came back, and all the kindly spirits of nature. Thor's sons, Magni and Modi, were there to give men new strength and courage.

A fair youth and maiden came out of the wood that had grown on the place where Odin, long before, had sought wisdom from Mimir. The new world was fruitful and beautiful, and was the home of a new race of men, who were blessed by the care of the great Unknown God, who had no beginning and would have no end.

Brandish, Sarah. Old Norse Stories. 1st ed. American Book Company, 1900. 118-20. eBook. Digitized by Google.

Asgard Stories Version

Loki and Fenrir, the wolf, were safely bound, each separate cliff, but still happiness and peace did not return to Asgard, for Baldur was no longer there, and light and joy had gone from the home of the gods. The Aesir felt that the Twilight of the gods, which Odin knew was to come, must be near.

Soon began a long cold winter; surely it must be the beginning of the Fimbulwinter, which was to come before the last great battle. From the north came cold blasts of freezing wind; snow and ice covered the earth; men could not see the face of the sun or the moon. Everywhere there was darkness; the people grew fierce and unhappy and wicked, for they seemed no longer to love each other. So the evil deeds of men kept on, and the fierce frost giants grew stronger and stronger. They killed the trees and flowers, and bound the lakes and rivers with icy bands.

Even when summer time came, the cold still held on, and no one could see the green grass or the beautiful golden sunlight. The frost giants were pleased to see the trouble they had brought upon men, and hoped they soon could destroy Asgard and the gods.

Three long winters passed, with no light to warm and brighten the world;. after that still three other dreary winters, and then the eagle who sat on the top of the great world tree, Yggdrasil, gave a loud, shrill cry; at that the earth shook, the rocks crumbled and fell, so that Loki and the wolf were freed from their chains.

The waters of the deep ocean rose and rolled high over the land, and up above the waves writhing out of the deep, came the monster Midgard serpent to join in the last battle. Now the enemies of the gods were gathering from all sides, — the frost giants, the mountain giants, with Loki, Fenrir, and the Midgard serpent.

Heimdall, the faithful watchman, looked from his watch-tower by the rainbow bridge, and when he saw the host of monsters appearing and raging toward Asgard, he blew his magic horn, Gjallarhorn, which was the signal of warning to the gods.

When Father Odin heard the blast of Heimdall's horn, he hastened to arm himself for the battle; once again it is said the Allfather sought wisdom at Mimir's fountain, asking to know how best to lead the Aesir against their enemies. But what Mimir said to him no one ever knew, for a second call sounded from Gjallarhorn, and the gods, with Odin at their head, rode forth from Asgard to meet their foes.

Thor took his place beside Odin, but they were soon parted in the struggle. The thunder-god fell upon his old enemy, the serpent, whom twice before he had tried to slay, and after a fierce fight, he at last conquered and slew the monster; but the poisonous breath from the serpent's mouth overcame the mighty Thor, and he also fell.

Heimdall and Loki came face to face, and each slew the other. Thus every one of the gods battled each with his foe, till at last the darkness grew deeper, and all, both gods and giants lay dead. Then fire burst forth, raging from Utgard to Asgard — and all the worlds were destroyed in that dreadful day of Ragnarok.

But this was not the end of all: after many months, and years, and even centuries had passed, a new world began to appear, with the fair ocean, and the beautiful land, with a bright, shining sun by day, and the moon and stars by night. Then once more the light and heat from the sun made the grass and trees grow, and the flowers bloom. Baldur and Hodur came to this beautiful new world, and walked and talked together. Thor's sons were there, too, and with them, the hammer, Mjolnir, no longer for use against giants, but for helping men build homes.

Two people, a man and a woman, who were kept safe through the raging fire, now came to dwell on the earth, and all their children and grandchildren lived at peace with each other in this beautiful new world.

Baldur and Hodur talked often of the old days when the Aesir dwelt in Asgard, before Loki, the wicked one, brought darkness and trouble to them. With loving words they spoke of Odin and Frigga; and the brave Tyr, who gave his right hand to save the Aesir; of mighty Thor; and faithful Heimdall; of lovely Freyja, with her beautiful necklace; and of fair Iduna's garden, where they used to sit and eat her magic apples. "But still," they said, "we know now that this new world is fairer than the old, and here, also, the loving Allfather watches over his children."

Foster, Mary, and Mabel Cummings. Asgard Stories Tales from Norse Mythology. 1st ed. Silver, Burdett and Company, 1901. 104-08. eBook. Digitized by Google.

The Nine Worlds Version

When the gods returned to Asgard, it seemed to them that everything was changed. Baldur was gone forever, and Loki, once a gay, witty companion, and later a secret and dreaded foe, was securely bound in the world of darkness. As evening fell upon the city, Odin, surrounded by the greater gods, stood looking out upon the sea, over which the ship Ringhorn had borne the dead Baldur.

All were silent, until at last Odin spoke: "Baldur has gone, and Loki is punished. A new life begins, and it is right that you, the wisest and strongest of the Aesir, should know what lies before you, and before us all. You are strong, and can bear the truth, hard though it be. You have heard that a time is coming, called the Twilight of the Gods; it is of that I will now speak." Then silence reigned again, while Odin stood with bowed head.

At last he spoke, uttering this solemn prophecy, while his eyes seemed looking into the far, dim future: "As the ages roll on, wickedness shall increase in Asgard, and in the world of men. Witches and monsters shall be bred up in the Iron-wood, and shall sow the seeds of evil in the world. Brothers shall slay each other; cousins shall kinship violate; shields shall be cloven; no man will spare another. Hard shall it be in the world—an axe age, a sword age, a wind age, ere the world sinks.

"The great Fimbul winter shall come, when snow shall fall from the four corners of heaven; deadly will be the frosts, and piercing the winds, and the darkened sun will impart, no gladness. Three such winters shall come, and no summer to gladden the heart with sunshine. Then shall follow more winters, when even greater discord shall prevail. Fierce wolves shall devour the sun and moon, and the stars shall fall from heaven. The earth shall tremble, the stony hills shall be dashed together, giants shall totter, and dwarfs groan before their stony doors. Men shall seek the paths leading to the realms of death; and earth, in flames, shall sink beneath the seething ocean.

"Then shall the aged World Tree tremble; and loudly shall bark the dog of hell. At that sound shall the fetters of Loki and the wolf be broken; and the Midgard serpent, with terrible lashing and struggling, shall forsake the sea. The ship, Naglfar, shall be loosed from its moorings by the rocky isle; and all the hosts of evil shall go on board, while Loki steers them across the sluggish sea. Surt1 shall leave his fiery dales, and join the hosts of evil, to fight against the gods.

"Loudly shall the ancient horn of Heimdall then resound throughout the nine worlds. And when they hear the sound, the hosts of Odin shall make ready; the gods and all the warriors of Valhalla shall buckle on their armor for the last great fight. Odin shall seek wisdom from Mimir, that he may know how best to meet his foe.

"Terrible will be the onset when on the great plain2 the hosts of the sons of destruction meet the armies of the gods. Then will come the second grief to Frigga, when Odin goes to meet the wolf. For then will her beloved fall. But Vidar, the great son of Odin, shall pierce the heart of Loki's offspring, and avenge his father's death. Mighty Thor will meet the Midgard serpent, and in his rage will slay the worm. Back nine paces will he go, and then fall, — he who feared no foe, — slain by the venom of the deadly beast. Tyr shall meet the fierce dog of hell, and they shall slay each other. Frey will meet his death at the hand of Surt, slain by Thiassi's fatal sword. Little shall the love of Gerd avail him on that day. Heimdall, the wise and pure, shall fall at the hand of Loki, the father of monsters, and shall in turn cause Loki's death. Few shall be left alive who meet in that great fight!"

He ceased, and there was silence, while the shadows deepened, and the sea grew dark.

Finally Tyr spoke: "And is there no hope, Odin? Does all end in darkness?" At these words Odin's face changed; a gleam of sunshine seemed to fall upon it, and he said: "I see arise, a second time, earth from ocean, beauteously green. I see waterfalls where leap the fish, and eagles flying over the hills. I see Baldur and Hodur, the rulers of a purer race of mortals, — mortals who have long served Baldur in the lower world, — and near them Vidar and the sons of Thor. They meet on Ida's plains, and call to memory the mighty deeds of the old gods, and their ancient lore. They speak of the serpent, the great earth-encircler, and of the deeds of Loki and of Thor. Unsown shall the fields bring forth, and all evil shall be done away with, when Baldur and Hodur reign."

He ceased, while his gaze seemed penetrating through the misty ages.

The silence was long; but finally one of the gods said: "And what of us, Odin? Is there no hope for the old gods?"

As he spoke, a look never before seen on his bold features overspread the face of Odin, and raising his eyes reverently, he said: "After the Twilight of the Gods, shall come the Mighty One to judgment,—He whom we dare not name, the powerful One from above, who rules over all. He shall dooms pronounce, and strifes allay, and holy peace establish, which shall be forevermore. I see a hall with gold bedecked, brighter than the sun, standing in the high heavens. There shall the righteous dwell forevermore, in peace and happiness." As the vision faded, Odin looked upon the gods, who stood silent before him. "My children," said the Allfather, "let us be strong and valiant. Long will be the ages, hard will be the fighting, and many the woes that we must endure. But the brave heart loves danger, and the strong soul shrinks not from evil and sorrow. To do our best, knowing that we shall fail; to fight to the end, and then give place to those who are wholly pure and good,—that is the fate of the old gods. But He whom we may not name has so decreed it; and His decrees are ever just and right."

Litchfield, Mary Elizabeth. The Nine Worlds. 1st ed. Gin & Company, Publishers, 1895. 152-56. eBook. Digitized by Google.

The Prose Edda

CHAPTER XVI

RAGNAROK

Then said Ganglere: What tidings are to be told of Ragnarok. Of this I have never heard before, liar answered: Great things are to be said thereof. First, there is a winter called the Fimbul-winter, when snow drives from all quarters, the frosts are so severe, the winds so keen and piercing, that there is no joy in the sun. There are three such winters in succession, without any intervening summer. But before these there are three other winters, during which great wars rage over all the world. Brothers slay each other for the sake of gain, and no one spares his father or mother in that manslaughter and adultery. Thus says the Vala's

Prophecy:

Brothers will fight together

And become each other's bane;

Sisters' children

Their sib shall spoil.*

Hard is the world,

Sensual sins grow huge.

There are ax-ages, sword-ages—

Shields are cleft in twain,—

There are wind-ages, wolf-ages,

Ere the world falls dead.

*Commit adultery.

Elder Edda: The Vala's Prophecy, 48, 49

55. Then happens what will seem a great miracle, that the wolf* devours the sun, and this will seem a great loss. The other wolf will devour the moon, and this too will cause great mischief. The stars shall be hurled from heaven. Then it shall come to pass that the earth and the mountains will shake so violently that trees will be torn up by the roots, the mountains will topple down, and all bonds and fetters will be broken and snapped. The Fenris-wolf gets loose. The sea rushes over the earth, for the Midgard serpent writhes in giant rage and seeks to gain the land. The ship that is called Naglfar also becomes loose. It is made of the nails of dead men; wherefore it is worth warning that, when a man dies with unpaired nails, he supplies a large amount of materials for the building of this ship, which both gods and men wish may be finished as late as possible. But in this flood Naglfar gets afloat. The giant Hrym is its steersman. The Fenris-wolf advances with wide open mouth; the upper jaw reaches to heaven and the lower jaw is on the earth. He would open it still wider had he room. Fire flashes from his eyes and nostrils. The Midgard-serpent vomits forth venom, defiling all the air and the sea; he is very terrible, and places himself by the side of the wolf. In the midst of this clash and din the heavens are rent in twain, and the sons of Muspel come riding through the opening. Surt rides first, and before him and after him flames burning fire. He has a very good sword, which shines brighter than the sun. As they ride over Bifrost it breaks to pieces, as has before been stated. The sons of Muspel direct their course to the plain which is called Vigrid. Thither repair also the Fenris-wolf and the Midgard Serpent. To this place have also come Loki and Hryni, and with him all the frost-giants. In Loki's company are all the friends of Hel. The sons of Muspel have there effulgent bands alone by themselves. The plain Vigrid is one hundred miles (rasts) on each side.

56. While these things are happening, Heimdal stands up, blows with all his might in the Gjallar-horn and awakens all the gods, who thereupon hold counsel. Odin rides to Mimir's well to ask advice of Mimir for himself and his folk. Then quivers the ash Yggdrasil, and all things in heaven and earth fear and tremble. The asas and the einherjers arm themselves and speed forth to the battle-field. Odin rides first; with his golden helmet, resplendent byrnie, and his spear Gungnir, he advances against the Fenris-wolf.

Thor stands by his side, but can give him no assistance, for he has his hands full in his struggle with the Midgard-serpent. Frey encounters Surt, and heavy blows are exchanged ere Frey falls. The cause of his death is that he has not that good sword which he gave to Skirner. Even the dog Garm, that was bound before the Gnipacave, gets loose. He is the greatest plague. He contends with Tyr, and they kill each other. Thor gets great renown by slaying the Midgard Serpent, but retreats only nine paces when he falls to the earth dead, poisoned by the venom that the serpent blows on him. The wolf swallows Odin, and thus causes his death; but Vidar immediately turns and rushes at the wolf, placing one foot on his nether jaw. On this foot he has the shoe for which materials have been gathering through all ages, namely, the strips of leather which men cut off for the toes and heels of shoes; wherefore he who wishes to render assistance to the asas must cast these strips away. With one hand Vidar seizes the upper jaw of the wolf, and thus rends asunder his mouth. Thus the wolf perishes. Loki fights with Heimdal, and they kill each other. Thereupon Surt flings fire over the earth and burns up all the world. Thus it is said in the Vala's Prophecy:

Loud blows Heimdal His uplifted born.

Odin speaks With Mimer's head.

The straight-standing ash

Yggdrasil quivers,

The old tree groans,

And the giant gets loose.

How fare the asas?

How fare the elves?

All Jotunheim roars.

The asas hold counsel;

Before their stone-doors

Groan the dwarfs,

The guides of the wedge-rock.

Know you now more or not?

From the east drives Hrym,

Bears his shield before him.

Jormungand welters

In giant rage

And smites the waves.

The eagle screams,

And with pale beak tears corpses.

Naglfar gets loose.

A ship comes from the east,

The hosts of Muspel

Come o'er the main,

And Loki is steersman.

All the fell powers

Are with the wolf;

Along with them

Is Byleist's brother.*

From the south comes Surt

With blazing fire-brand,—

The sun of the war-god

Shines from his sword.

Mountains dash together,

Giant maids are frightened,

Heroes go the way to Hel,

And heaven is rent in twain.

*Loki.

Then comes to Hlin

Another woe,

When Odin goes

With the wolf to fight,

And Bele's bright slayer*

To contend with Surt.

There will fall

Frigg's beloved.

Odin's son goes

To fight with the wolf,

And Vidar goes on his way

To the wild beast.f

With his hand he thrusts I

His sword to the heart

Of the giant's child,

And avenges his father.

Then goes the famous

Son of Hlodyn

To fight with the serpent.

Though about to die,

He fears not the contest;

All men

Abandon their homesteads

When the warder of Midgard

In wrath slays the serpent.

The sun grows dark,

The earth sinks into the sea,

The bright stars

From heaven vanish;

Fire rages,

Heat blazes,

And high flames play

'Gainst heaven itself. §

REGENERATION.

57. Then asked Ganglere: What happens when heaven and earth and all the world are consumed in flames, and when all the gods and all the einherjers and all men are dead? You have already said that all men shall live in some world through all ages. Har answered: There are many good and many bad abodes. Best it is to be in Gimle, in heaven. Plenty is there of good drink for those who deem this a joy in the hall called Brimer. That is also in heaven. There is also an excellent hall which stands on the Nida mountains. It is built of red gold, and is called Sindre. In this hall good and well-minded men shall dwell. Nastrand is a large and terrible hall, and its doors open to the north. It is built of serpents wattled together, and all the heads of the serpents turn into the hall and vomit forth venom that flows in streams along the hall, and in these streams wade perjurers and murderers. So it is here said:

A hall I know standing

Far from the sun

On the strand of dead bodies.

Drops of venom

Fall through the loop-holes.

Of serpents' backs

The hall is made.

There shall wade

Through heavy streams

Perjurers

And murderers.

But in Hvergelmir it is worst.

There tortures Nidhug

The bodies of the dead.*

58. Then said Ganglere: Do any gods live then? Is there any earth or heaven? Har answered: The earth rises again from the sea, and is green and fair. The fields unsown produce their harvests. Vidar and Vale live. Neither the sea nor Surt's fire has harmed them, and they dwell on the plains of Ida, where Asgard was before. Thither come also the sons of Thor, Mode and Magne, and they have Mjolnir. Then come Balder and Hoder from Hel. They all sit together and talk about the things that happened aforetime,— about the Midgard-serpent and the Fenris-wolf. They find in the grass those golden tables which the asas once had.

Thus it is said:

Vidar and Vale

Dwell in the house of the gods,

When quenched is the fire of Surt.

* Elder Edda: The Vala's Prophecy, 40, 41.

Sturluson, Snorri. Translated by Anderson, Rasmus. The Prose Edda. Chicago: S.E. Griggs & Company, 1879. 140-49. eBook. Digitized by Google.