# Prose Edda

> 13th-century Norse work of literature written in Iceland

**Wikidata**: [Q205882](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q205882)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prose_Edda)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/prose-edda

## Summary
The **Prose Edda**, also known as the *Younger Edda* or *Snorra Edda*, is a 13th-century Norse literary work written in Iceland by the historian, poet, and politician **Snorri Sturluson**. It serves as a key source for Norse mythology, poetry, and medieval Icelandic culture, comprising sections like *Gylfaginning*, *Skáldskaparmál*, and *Háttatal*.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: Written by **Snorri Sturluson** (1179–1241), an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician.
- **Date of Composition**: Circa **1225**, during the **Icelandic Commonwealth** (founded c. 930).
- **Alternative Names**: Also called *Snorra Edda* (Snorri’s Edda) or *Younger Edda* (distinguishing it from the *Poetic Edda*).
- **Structure**: Composed of four main parts:
  - *Prologue* (a mythological introduction)
  - *Gylfaginning* ("The Tricking of Gylfi," a retelling of Norse myths)
  - *Skáldskaparmál* ("The Language of Poetry," a guide to poetic metaphors)
  - *Háttatal* ("List of Meters," a treatise on poetic forms)
- **Genre**: A **literary work** blending mythology, poetry, and scholarly instruction.
- **Language**: Written in **Old Norse**, the language of medieval Iceland.
- **Cultural Context**: Part of the broader **Edda** tradition, a pair of medieval Icelandic literary sources.
- **Significance**: A foundational text for **Norse mythology** and **Icelandic literature**, influencing later European literary and mythological studies.

## FAQs

### **Who wrote the Prose Edda?**
The **Prose Edda** was authored by **Snorri Sturluson**, an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician who lived from **1179 to 1241**. He compiled the work as both a preservation of Norse mythological traditions and a manual for aspiring poets.

### **What is the difference between the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda?**
The **Prose Edda** is a **13th-century prose work** by Snorri Sturluson, serving as a guide to Norse mythology and poetic techniques. The **Poetic Edda**, by contrast, is an older (c. 13th century but based on earlier oral traditions) collection of anonymous mythological and heroic poems. Together, they form the two primary sources of **Norse mythology**.

### **What are the main sections of the Prose Edda?**
The **Prose Edda** consists of four key parts:
1. **Prologue** – A mythological introduction linking Norse gods to historical figures.
2. **Gylfaginning** – A narrative framing Norse myths as tales told to a Swedish king, Gylfi.
3. **Skáldskaparmál** – A handbook on poetic metaphors (kennings) and mythological references.
4. **Háttatal** – A technical treatise on Old Norse poetic meters, written in verse.

### **Why is the Prose Edda important to Norse mythology?**
It is one of the **most comprehensive surviving sources** on Norse myths, preserving stories of gods like **Odin, Thor, and Loki** that might otherwise have been lost. Snorri’s work also provides **cultural and linguistic insights** into medieval Scandinavian poetry and belief systems.

### **When and where was the Prose Edda written?**
The **Prose Edda** was composed in **Iceland around 1225**, during the **Icelandic Commonwealth** (930–1262). Iceland’s rich oral tradition and political environment under Snorri Sturluson’s influence shaped its creation.

## Why It Matters
The **Prose Edda** is indispensable for understanding **Norse mythology, medieval Icelandic literature, and the broader Germanic cultural heritage**. Without it, much of the pre-Christian Scandinavian worldview—including the pantheon of gods, cosmological beliefs, and poetic traditions—would remain fragmentary or lost. Snorri Sturluson’s work bridges **oral tradition and written scholarship**, ensuring the survival of myths that later inspired countless works of art, literature, and modern fantasy. It also serves as a **linguistic and historical record**, offering insights into the **Old Norse language** and the intellectual life of 13th-century Iceland.

## Notable For
- **Preserving Norse Mythology**: The most detailed surviving account of gods, giants, and cosmic events in the Norse tradition.
- **Poetic Manual**: *Skáldskaparmál* and *Háttatal* provide **unparalleled guidance** on Old Norse poetic forms and metaphors.
- **Cultural Synthesis**: Blends **mythology, history, and literature**, reflecting Snorri Sturluson’s role as both a scholar and a politician.
- **Influence on Later Works**: Inspired **Romantic-era literature**, Wagner’s operas, and modern fantasy (e.g., Tolkien’s Middle-earth).
- **Unique Structure**: Combines **narrative prose** (*Gylfaginning*) with **technical instruction** (*Háttatal*), making it both accessible and scholarly.

## Body

### **Origins and Authorsip**
The **Prose Edda** was written by **Snorri Sturluson**, a prominent **Icelandic historian, poet, and politician** active in the early 13th century. Born in **1179**, Snorri was a key figure in the **Icelandic Commonwealth** (established c. 930), a period of decentralized governance before Iceland’s integration into the Norwegian kingdom. His political ambitions and scholarly interests converged in the **Prose Edda**, which he composed around **1225**.

Snorri’s motivations were twofold:
1. **Preservation of Tradition**: He sought to document **Norse mythology** and **poetic conventions** amid Iceland’s Christianization.
2. **Educational Tool**: The work served as a **manual for skalds** (Norse poets), ensuring the continuity of complex poetic forms.

### **Structure and Content**
The **Prose Edda** is divided into four distinct sections, each serving a unique purpose:

#### **1. Prologue**
- A **mytho-historical introduction** that frames Norse gods as **euhemerized heroes**—former human rulers deified by later generations.
- Links Norse mythology to **Trojan War legends**, reflecting medieval attempts to reconcile pagan and Christian histories.

#### **2. Gylfaginning ("The Tricking of Gylfi")**
- Presented as a dialogue between the Swedish king **Gylfi** and three mysterious figures (High, Just-as-High, and Third), who reveal the secrets of the Norse cosmos.
- Covers **creation myths** (e.g., Ymir’s dismemberment, the nine worlds), **major gods** (Odin, Thor, Freyja), and **eschatological events** (Ragnarök).
- **Inception**: Composed around **1220**, making it one of the earliest systematic accounts of Norse mythology.

#### **3. Skáldskaparmál ("The Language of Poetry")**
- A **handbook for poets**, explaining **kennings** (metaphorical phrases, e.g., "battle-sweat" for blood) and **mythological allusions**.
- Includes **narrative examples** (e.g., Loki’s mischief, Thor’s adventures) to illustrate poetic devices.
- **Inception**: Also dated to **1220**, reflecting Snorri’s dual role as a **poet and scholar**.

#### **4. Háttatal ("List of Meters")**
- A **technical treatise** on Old Norse poetic meters, written in **verse** to demonstrate each form.
- Contains **102 stanzas**, each exemplifying a different meter, accompanied by Snorri’s commentary.
- **Inception**: **1220**, serving as both a **reference work** and a **showcase of Snorri’s mastery**.

### **Relationship to the Poetic Edda**
The **Prose Edda** is often paired with the **Poetic Edda**, an anonymous collection of mythological and heroic poems (e.g., *Völuspá*, *Hávamál*). While the **Poetic Edda** preserves older oral traditions, the **Prose Edda** provides **prose explanations and contextualization**. Together, they form the **cornerstone of Norse literary heritage**.

### **Cultural and Historical Context**
- **Icelandic Commonwealth**: The **Prose Edda** emerged during a period of **political flux** in Iceland, as chieftains like Snorri navigated alliances with Norway.
- **Christian Influence**: Though Snorri was Christian, he treated Norse myths as **literary and cultural artifacts**, not religious doctrine.
- **Literary Style**: Blends **mythology, history, and didactic instruction**, reflecting medieval Icelandic **saga tradition**.

### **Legacy and Influence**
- **Medieval and Renaissance Scholarship**: Early modern scholars used the **Prose Edda** to reconstruct Norse mythology.
- **Romantic Revival**: 19th-century writers (e.g., **Wagner, Tolkien**) drew heavily from its myths.
- **Modern Fantasy**: Elements like **Odin’s wisdom, Thor’s hammer, and Ragnarök** permeate contemporary pop culture.
- **Linguistic Value**: A **key text** for studying **Old Norse language and poetic conventions**.

### **Connected Entities**
- **Snorri Sturluson**: Author and central figure in 13th-century Icelandic politics.
- **Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Háttatal**: Core components of the work.
- **Icelandic Commonwealth**: Political backdrop of its composition.
- **Norse Mythology**: The primary subject matter.
- **Poetic Edda**: Complementary medieval Icelandic literary source.

The **Prose Edda** remains a **vital link** between the oral traditions of the Viking Age and the written heritage of medieval Europe, ensuring the endurance of Norse myths for future generations.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/a.htm)
4. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/d.htm)
5. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/f.htm)
6. [Motif-Index of Folk-Literature](https://sites.ualberta.ca/~urban/Projects/English/Content/p.htm)
7. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Prose_Edda-PPKGD)