The change in women’s status brought about by the advent of Christianity went well beyond women’s status in religion. To the modern reader, the explanation is obvious she is the valkyrie of Northern legend, descended into a human figure in a Christianized retelling that downplays all mystic elements. The warrior queen has a strength that goes beyond any mortal woman, but there is also no explanation of her abilities. It is obvious that the German tale is based on older sources Brunhild and Siegfried (the German form of Sigurd) clearly know each other when they meet, but their relationship is never explained. By the time we get to the medieval German Nibelungenlied, written down at roughly the same time as the Saga of the Volsungs, Brunhild is a human woman. In this Icelandic version of the saga, Brynhild retains an explicitly mystical connection to the god Odin. ![]() For a society in which women were spiritual leaders and keepers of arcane knowledge, this is a very smart way for Sigurd to begin a relationship. She proceeds to give an Odinnic "ecstatic wisdom performance" of practical advice and runic lore. When Sigurd asks for her to share her wisdom, she fills a goblet, hands it to him, and says, “Beer I give you, battlefield’s ruler” – clearly an earthly incarnation of Valhalla’s valkyries serving ale to the undead warriors. In the Saga of the Volsungs, written down in 13th century Iceland, she is a mystic font of wisdom. Through the changing portrayal of her character, we can see the changing status of women in Germanic society. She represents a full life, from love through battle and wisdom to death. Perhaps Brynhild, the valkyrie made mortal, stands in relation to early conceptions of Freya in the same way that Sigurd and Beowulf relate to Thor – the god of myth reforged as the hero of legend.Īmulets of women, maybe valkyries (6th century, Sweden)īrynhild exhibits the complexcharacteristics that are seen in the gods. Where is Freya when her lieutenant is banished from the godhead? In the time of the saga, Odin still wanders the world and interacts with humanity, but the other gods and goddesses are nowhere to be seen. ![]() This role is completely missing in the tale of Brynhild, in all its forms. It is important to remember that Freya, in addition to being the goddess of love and desire, was the leader of the valkyries. The mystic women are, at this point, merely objects of desire to the young male heroes who seek to make them into captive wives by stealing their mystic feather-cloaks as the young women are bathing. Related to the valkyrie and the Wish Maiden is the Swan Maiden, in which the shape-changing ability of Freya remains, but has lost all meaning and power. Swan Maiden by Gertrude Demain Hammond (circa 1909) This concept of the godhead sending out his "wish" and his "will" as physical agents can be related to shamanistic practices, as seen with his two ravens. They are the physical manifestation of his will, and carry out his desires on the earthly plane. ![]() The valkyries are also characterized as the Wish Maidens of Odin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |