SAGA-BOOK - Viking Society Web Publications

Voluspa 127
he composed the first part of the poem. But he
answered it before he had done, and the poem has
turned out in such a way that it is probable that he
viewed the end at the beginning, saw everything in a
single overall vision. The main points of his philosophy
of life are these: there are two opposing worlds, the one of
uncreated matter, to which the giants stand nearest and of
which they are the representatives, and the other the
kingdom of the almighty god. Gods and men have
reached various intermediate stages between these
worlds. From this viewpoint all discord and conflict
become understandable. The aim of this conflict is to be
rid of the influences which draw one downwards and to
gain a lasting contact with the highest god.
But this road is long. It cannot be travelled without
accident, nor without losing many by the wayside. The
giants do not let their rights of possession go until the last
moment. HeI demands her portion.
Yet V oluspa first describes the golden age of the gods,
the life on HSavellir, the carefree life of youth and rest
after the most exhausting labours of creation. This part
of the mythology is best marked by the words of deep
insight: var peim vettergis vant or gulli. They had enough,
i.e. were contented with what they had. But this golden
age only bears witness to their first joy at having
grown up beyond the giants and having ordered the
world. There is no question of perfection. For now
comes the acid test which decides who shall rise even
higher and who fall back again. The giants look for
a chance to tempt the gods. The gods allow themselves
to be led astray and corrupted, not at once, but step by
step. I shall try to trace these steps here, to make clearer
the wise thought set forth in the poem's dark images.
The first step is least clear. But it is undoubtedly
nearest to the poem's spirit to consider that it is the
prjar pursa meyjar who put an end to the golden age and
the joy of the iEsir, fair and crafty giant-maids, sent to