Chapters 44-95 - Germanic Mythology

The poem tells that Frey sat alone, silent and longing, ever since he had seen the
giant Gymir's wonderfully beautiful daughter Gerd. He wasted with love for her; but he
said nothing, since he was convinced in advance that neither Aesir nor Elves would ever
consent to a union between him and her. But when the friend of his youth, who resided in
Asgard, and in the poem is called Skirnir, succeeded in getting him to confess the cause
of his longing, it was, in Asgard, found necessary to do something to relieve it, and so
Skirnir was sent to the home of the giant to ask for the hand of Gerd on Frey's behalf. As
bridal gifts he took with him eleven golden apples and the ring Draupnir. He received one
of the best horses of Asgard to ride, and for his defense Frey's magnificent sword, "which
fights of itself against the race of giants." In the poem this sword receives the epithets
Tamsvöndr (26) and Gambanteinn (32). 9 Tamsvöndr, means the "staff that subdues";
Gambanteinn means the "rod of revenge" (see Nos. 105, 116). Both epithets are formed
in accordance with the common poetic usage of describing swords by compound words
of which the latter part is vöndr or teinn. We find, as names for swords, benvöndr,
blóðvöndr, hjaltvöndr, hríðvöndr, hvítvöndr, morðvöndr, sárvöndr, benteinn, eggteinn,
hævateinn, hjörteinn, hræteinn, sárteinn, valteinn, mistilteinn. 10
Skirnir rides over damp fells and the fields of giants, leaps, after a quarrel with the
watchman of Gymir's citadel, over the fence, comes in to Gerd, is welcomed with ancient
mead, and presents his errand of courtship, supported by the eleven golden apples. Gerd
refuses both the apples and the object of the errand. Skirnir then offers her the most
precious treasure, the ring Draupnir, but in vain. Then he resorts to threats. He exhibits
the sword so dangerous to her kinsmen; with it he will cut off her head if she refuses her
consent. Gerd answers that she is not to be frightened, and that she has a father who is not
afraid to fight. Once more Skirnir shows her the sword, which also may fell her father
(sér þú þenna mæki, mey, etc.), and he threatens to strike her with the "subduing staff," so
that her heart shall soften, but too late for her happiness, for a blow from the staff will
remove her thither, where sons of men never more shall see her (Skírnismál 26).
9 Generally, the sword referred to in verses 23 and 25 is not recognized by mainstream scholars as the
Tamsvöndr or Gambanteinn named later. These names are interpreted to mean a magic wand, a "twig of
power," used to cast a spell on Gerd, even though as Rydberg demonstrates, such constructions are typical
of sword names. In effect, this removes the emphasis on the sword from the poem, and thereby the poem's
dramatic intent as well as its place in the mythic cycle. This interpretation is best expressed by Ursula
Dronke who notes in The Poetic Edda, Volume II (1997), "The legend that Freyr's sword fell into the hands
of giants could have no place in Skirnismál." (pg. 336, commentary to Lokasenna 42/1-3) For a complete
examination of its place in this poem, see No. 105
10 For an examination of sword kennings, goto http://www.hi.is/~eybjorn/ugm/kennings/wood.html