RG 5

English W170
Representations of Vikings

Reading Guide Vlusp

5 pts
Due 9/01
1) The timeline of the action is not quite straightforward in Vlusp (in fact,
scholars still dont agree on the exact order that the stanzas should be in). To
get a better grip on it, summarize the overall plot of the poem in our text.
The overall plot of Vlusp explains the birth of the world, as well as an
Armageddon that ends it, which is finally followed by the rebirth of the new
world. Personally, while reading I tried comparing this poem to the Bible and I
found this book to be the equivalent of a mixture of the books Genesis and
Revelations. The poem chronologically tells the story of the creation of the
world by certain gods, the destruction of a majority of those gods and the
worlds end (otherwise known as Ragnarok), and then the victory of the
remaining gods against the beasts who are responsible for the end of the
world, thus rebirthing a new world which remains to this day.
2) A frame narrative is a story that contains another story or series of stories.
Often, the frame explains to you why the smaller stories are being told. What
occurs in this frame story; in other words, who is telling this prophecy, and to
whom, and why?
The narrator of this prophecy appears to remain anonymous throughout the
story and his audience would appear to be any member of the Norse era or
religious group. His purpose for telling this story is to explain how the
beginning of the old world came to be, as well as its end and rebirth. This
story also serves a purpose to introduce the many gods and concepts of the
polytheistic Norse religion and the roles these gods played in the worlds
existence.
3) Vlusp translates to The Prophecy of the Sibyl. Who are the main
characters in this prophecy? Who would you think of as the protagonists?
Give specific evidence for your interpretation.
I would interpret the gods, or protagonists in this prophecy, such as Odin,
Thor, and Baldr along with the antagonists such as Loki, Fenrir, and Surtr as
the main characters. The phrase in stanza 62 that states All ills grow better,
| and Baldr comes back; Baldr and Hoth dwell | in Hropt's battle-hall, And the

mighty gods: | would you know yet more? whenever the rebirth of the world
happens after Thor and Odin defeat the beasts that caused the end of the
world shows the gods importance to stability and tranquility in the world, as
well as the importance of the gods Thor and Odin for making their return
possible.
4) What kicks off all of the conflict in the poem? Who seems to be to blame for
it? What details make you think this?
A war between the gods and the regular people is the first conflict found in
this poem. It appears to be the gods fault for burning one of the humans
named Gollvieg, initiating the conflict. Details that lead me to believe this is
how the poem seems to glorify Gollvieg and enhance her appearance as
much as possible by naming her Heith and stating yet she ever lives.
5) A cosmology is a worldview as presented by a belief system. What role do
humans seem to play in this cosmology? Put on your Horned Helmet of
Imagination (and maybe think back to Kellogg) how might a Viking have
interpreted such a text?
Humans seem to play a vital role in this cosmology as the factor of stability in
the world. I think a Viking would have interpreted this text to say that if all
men and women would live honorably, then the world would become a
tranquil place.
6) What do you make of the way that the poem comes to a close? How would
you describe the worldview presented in this poem? Is it similar to or different
to the worldviews that you are familiar with?
I think this poem comes to a close in a way that would give a Viking reading
this the impression that he has a duty to keep this rebirthed world safe. I
think this worldview is very similar to the Bibles in many ways such as
humans having control over the fate of the world in their actions.