Description
Hávamál: The Song of Hár is a new translation of a section of the Poetic Edda, believed to have been written in thirteenth-century Iceland, although it probably originated much earlier. Hávamál literally translates as The High One’s Words. In Nordic mythology, the High One was the god Oðin, god of wisdom, poetry, magic, and death. It was believed that this poem was words of wisdom, homilies, and a code of conduct. Due to page limitations, only Section III is included here: Heilræði (Wholesome Counsel).
Why a new translation when there are other versions already available? The author first came across Hávamál and the Poetic Edda before seeing any English editions and wanted to try to translate it himself. Although he later read translations, some of them seemed either too modern or at least too nineteenth century. He was determined to create his own version. This translation includes the original language for each verse, followed by a word-for-word translation, the author’s interpretation, and then commentary. Therefore, in addition to presenting a new translation, it also documents the author’s process of creating it.
