Völundarkviða (The Lay of Völund) | The Poetic Edda
Translated by Henry A. Bellows | Recorded by Folkbuilder Nicholas Rice
Völundarkviða tells the tragic story of Völundr (Wayland), a skilled smith and craftsman. The poem revolves around Völundr's capture, captivity, and eventual revenge.
Völundr, the master smith of the gods, is captured by the sons of the king Níðuðr (Níðhad). Völundr is crippled and imprisoned on an island. During his captivity, he is visited by the swan-maiden Hervǫr alvitr, who becomes his lover. Together, they have children.
The narrative takes a dark turn when Völundr's swan-maiden wife is forced to leave him, and he is left to endure loneliness and despair. In retaliation, Völundr kills the sons of Níðuðr, fashioning jewels and ornaments from their eyes and teeth, sending them as a gruesome gift to the king. He also seduces Níðuðr's daughter, further deepening the tragedy.
The poem concludes with Völundr's continued isolation and the sorrowful yearning for his lost love.
Völundarkviða explores themes of captivity, vengeance, and the harsh realities of fate. Völundr's transformation from a revered craftsman to a vengeful and isolated figure underscores the harshness of the Norse world and the consequences of betrayals and injustices.
The presence of swan-maidens, a common motif in Norse mythology, adds a mystical and tragic dimension to the narrative. Völundr's descent into darkness and his ruthless retaliation reflect the harsh and unforgiving nature of the Norse mythic world.
Völundarkviða is a poignant and tragic poem in the Poetic Edda, depicting the downfall of the skilled smith Völundr as he experiences captivity, loss, and revenge. The narrative highlights the complexities of fate and the dark consequences that can arise in the tumultuous world of Norse mythology.
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