# Edda

> pair of medieval Icelandic literary sources

**Wikidata**: [Q108652](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108652)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edda)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edda

## Summary  
The Edda is a pair of medieval Icelandic literary sources critical to understanding Norse mythology and Germanic heroic legends. It comprises the *Poetic Edda* (a collection of Old Norse poems) and the *Prose Edda* (a 13th-century scholarly work), both foundational to the study of medieval literature and culture. These texts are primary resources for insights into Viking-age beliefs and poetic traditions.

## Key Facts  
- **Publication Date**: The Edda is associated with a publication date of 1270, though the *Prose Edda* was written circa 1225.  
- **Components**: Includes the *Poetic Edda* (also called the *Elder Edda*) and the *Prose Edda* (or *Younger Edda*).  
- **Aliases**: Referenced as "The Poetic Edda," "Elder Edda," and "Poetic Edda" in historical and academic contexts.  
- **Cultural Significance**: Primary sources for Norse mythology, cosmology, and skaldic poetry techniques.  
- **Related Entities**: Shares its name with the main-belt asteroid *673 Edda*.  
- **Sitelink Counts**: 45 (Edda), 60 (*Poetic Edda*), 58 (*Prose Edda*), and 39 (asteroid *673 Edda*).  
- **Genres**: The *Poetic Edda* contains mythological and heroic poetry, while the *Prose Edda* includes explanatory prose and verse examples.  

## FAQs  
**Q: What are the two main parts of the Edda?**  
A: The *Poetic Edda* (a collection of Old Norse poems) and the *Prose Edda* (a 13th-century guide to poetry and mythology).  

**Q: When were these works written?**  
A: The *Prose Edda* was written around 1225 by Snorri Sturluson, while the *Poetic Edda* was compiled later, with an associated publication date of 1270.  

**Q: Is the Edda related to astronomy?**  
A: No, but the main-belt asteroid *673 Edda* shares its name with the literary works.  

**Q: Why are the Eddas important?**  
A: They preserve Norse mythology, heroic legends, and poetic traditions that would otherwise be lost, heavily influencing later literature and cultural studies.  

## Why It Matters  
The Edda is indispensable to the study of medieval literature, Norse religion, and Germanic folklore. It provides unparalleled insights into Viking-age worldviews, serving as a bridge between pagan traditions and later Christianized societies. Its influence extends to modern fantasy literature, inspiring works like J.R.R. Tolkien’s *The Lord of the Rings*, and remains a cornerstone of comparative mythology and literary history.  

## Notable For  
- **Primary Sources for Norse Mythology**: The *Poetic Edda* includes the *Völuspá*, which recounts the creation and end of the world (*Ragnarök*).  
- **Poetic Preservation**: The *Prose Edda* explains complex skaldic poetry techniques, preserving a unique literary tradition.  
- **Cultural Revival**: Instrumental in 19th-century Romanticist movements and the resurgence of interest in Norse culture.  
- **Interdisciplinary Impact**: Studied in fields ranging from archaeology to comparative religion.  

## Body  

### Components and Content  
The Edda consists of two distinct yet complementary works:  
- **Poetic Edda**: A compilation of anonymous Old Norse poems, primarily preserved in the 13th-century *Codex Regius* manuscript. It includes mythological poems (e.g., *Hávamál*, attributed to Odin) and heroic lays about figures like Sigurd and Brynhild.  
- **Prose Edda**: Written by Icelandic scribe Snorri Sturluson around 1225, this work systematizes Norse mythology and poetic devices. It features the *Gylfaginning* (a dialogue explaining cosmology) and the *Skáldskaparmál* (a guide to poetic diction).  

### Historical Context  
Both Eddas were compiled during a period of cultural and religious transition in Iceland (13th century), as Christianity supplanted Norse paganism. They reflect efforts to preserve pre-Christian traditions while adapting to new literary and scholarly norms. The *Prose Edda*’s practical focus on poetry composition highlights its role in educating medieval writers.  

### Related Entities  
- **Literary Work**: Classified as a written work intended for intellectual or aesthetic engagement, with 20 sitelink references.  
- **Asteroid 673 Edda**: A main-belt asteroid named after the literary Edda, with 39 sitelink references. This connection underscores the cultural reach of the Edda beyond literature.  

### Legacy and Influence  
The Edda’s rediscovery in the 17th century sparked widespread interest in Norse studies, influencing writers such as Goethe and Wagner. Its narratives of gods like Thor and Loki and heroes like Sigurd have permeated global popular culture, appearing in films, games, and literature. Academically, the Edda remains a critical resource for linguists, historians, and mythographers.  

### Scholarly and Cultural Impact  
- **Linguistic Value**: Provides examples of Old Norse language structures and poetic meters (e.g., *fornyrðislag*).  
- **Mythological Framework**: Offers a systematic view of Norse cosmology, including the World Tree Yggdrasil and the Nine Worlds.  
- **Ethnographic Insights**: Reflects medieval Icelandic societal values, such as the importance of honor, fate, and kinship.  

### Distinctive Traits  
- **Dual Nature**: Combines poetic creativity (*Poetic Edda*) with scholarly exposition (*Prose Edda*), catering to both artistic and educational purposes.  
- **Anonymous vs. Attributed Authorship**: The *Poetic Edda*’s poems are largely anonymous, while the *Prose Edda* is firmly attributed to Snorri Sturluson.  
- **Manuscript History**: The *Poetic Edda*’s survival in the *Codex Regius* (c. 1270) is a remarkable example of medieval textual preservation.  

### Comparative Context  
Unlike contemporaneous religious texts, the Edda does not proselytize but instead documents a fading belief system. Its blend of myth, legend, and practical literary instruction distinguishes it from other medieval works, such as the *Aeneid* or *Beowulf*. This duality ensures its relevance across disciplines, from literary criticism to religious studies.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. BabelNet
5. Quora
6. Motif-Index of Folk-Literature: Volume 1: A–C
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8. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/f.htm)
9. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/b.htm)
10. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/c.htm)
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13. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/g.htm)
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16. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/m.htm)
17. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/p.htm)
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