Summary
King Gylfi visits the Æsir in disguise as Gangleri. Across 54 chapters the cosmogony, gods, and cosmology are laid out, through to Ragnarök and the world's rebirth.
Chapters
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1. Of Gylfi and Gefjun
King Gylfi grants a wandering woman as much land as four oxen can plow in a day and a night, and the goddess Gefjun attaches it to Denmark as the island of Zealand.
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2. Of Gangleri and the Three Thrones
Gylfi sets out in disguise as Gangleri to investigate the power of the Aesir, and is brought before the three figures named High, Just-as-High, and Third.
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3. Of Allfather and His Names
Gangleri asks which god is highest and High answers that it is Allfather, whose twelve names testify to his dominion over all worlds.
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4. Of Allfather Before the Creation of the World
Gangleri wonders what Allfather occupied himself with before the world was created, and High explains that he dwelt among the frost-giants and that the void of Ginnungagap then existed.
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5. Of Niflheim and Muspell
High describes the two primordial realms that preceded creation: the icy Niflheim in the north with the spring Hvergelmir, and the blazing Muspelheim in the south, guarded by Surt.
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6. Of Ymir and the Cow Audhumbla
Where the rime and warmth met, the giant Ymir arose from the dripping, and the cow Audhumbla nourished him with her milk while she licked salt from the ice.
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7. Of Buri and His Son Borr
Audhumbla licks Buri free from the ice, whose son Borr weds the giantess Bestla and fathers with her the sons Odin, Vili, and Ve.
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8. Of the Slaying of Ymir and the Creation of the World
The sons of Borr slay Ymir and shape the world from his body: the flesh became earth, the blood became sea, the bones became mountains, and the skull became the vault of the sky.
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9. Of the Sky and the Stars
The gods raise the vault of the sky with four dwarves at its corners and fill it with sparks from Muspelheim that become stars, and they create the sun and moon whose courses they ordain.
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10. Of the Earth and Midgard
The gods explain that the earth is round and encircled by the deep sea, that the giants received the coastal land, and that the gods built Midgard from Ymir's eyelashes as a protection for the dwelling of mankind.
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11. Ásgarðr and Hliðskjálf
The gods built Ásgarðr in the middle of the world. Odin sits on the high-seat Hliðskjálf and looks out over all worlds.
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12. Glaðsheimr and Vingólf
The gods built the halls Glaðsheimr with twelve thrones for the twelve gods, and Vingólf for the goddesses. Gold was plentiful until three giantesses arrived from Jötunheimr.
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13. Nótt and Dagr
Nótt (Night) and her son Dagr (Day) each ride around the sky. Nótt rides Hrímfaxi and Dagr rides Skinfaxi, whose mane lights up the world.
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14. Sól and Máni
A man named Mundilferi had children he called Sól and Máni. The gods seized them and set them to drive the courses of the sun and moon. The wolves Sköll and Hati pursue them.
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15. Bifröst
Bifröst, the rainbow bridge, connects Miðgarðr to Ásgarðr. It is built with skill and magic and burns in three colours. At Ragnarök it will break when the sons of Múspell ride over it.
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16. Yggdrasill
Yggdrasill is the greatest ash-tree in the world. Three roots extend to three wells: Urðarbrunnr among the norns, Hvergelmir in Niflheimr, and Mímisbrunnr. The eagle, Níðhöggr, Ratatoskr, and four stags inhabit the tree.
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17. The Norns
At Urðarbrunnr beneath Yggdrasill sit the three norns Urðr, Verðandi, and Skuld. They shape the fate of every person who is born. There are also other norns of varying origin.
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18. More on Yggdrasill
Further on the creatures inhabiting Yggdrasill. The tree suffers constantly from Níðhöggr and the serpents gnawing at its roots. The norns water the tree daily from Urðarbrunnr.
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19. Valhöll
Valhöll is described with its 540 doors. The einherjar fight each day and are healed by evening, when they eat the flesh of the boar Sæhrímnir and drink mead from the udder of the goat Heiðrún.
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20. Huginn and Muninn
Odin's attributes are described further. His two ravens, Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory), fly out each day over the whole world and report what they have seen. His wolves Geri and Freki are fed by Odin's food, for Odin himself drinks only wine.
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21. On Thor
Thor is described as the strongest of the Æsir. His realm is called Þrúðvangr and his hall Bilskirnir. He travels in a chariot drawn by the goats Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr.
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22. On Baldr
Baldr is described as the most beautiful and wisest of the Æsir. He lives at Breiðablik. His judgements are always just and he shines with his own radiance.
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23. On Njörðr
Njörðr was originally a Van who came to the Æsir as a hostage. He governs wind, sea, and fire. His dwelling is called Nóatún. He was married to Skaði, but they disagreed about where to live.
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24. On Freyr and Freyja
Freyr governs rain and sunshine and the gifts of fertility. Freyja is the noblest of the Ásynjur after Frigg. Her hall is called Sessrúmnir on Fólkvangr. She receives half of those who fall in battle.
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25. On Týr
Týr is the bravest of the Æsir. He placed his hand in Fenrir's mouth as a pledge when the wolf was bound. He lost the hand but the world was won. He is called the one-handed god.
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26. On Bragi and Iðunn
Bragi is the god of poetry, renowned for his eloquence and wisdom. His wife Iðunn keeps the apples that preserve the Æsir's youth. Without her the gods would age and wither.
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27. On Heimdallr
Heimdallr is the guardian of Bifröst. He needs less sleep than a bird, can hear grass growing and wool growing on sheep. His horn is Gjallarhorn and his horse Gulltoppr.
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28. On Höðr
Höðr is blind but exceedingly strong. The gods are reluctant to name him, for his deed of killing Baldr will long be remembered.
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29. On Víðarr
Víðarr is the silent god, almost as strong as Thor. At Ragnarök he will avenge his father Odin by tearing apart Fenrir's jaw.
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30. On Váli
Váli is the son of Odin and Rindr. He is bold in battle and an excellent archer. He was born to avenge Baldr and slew Höðr when one night old.
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31. Of Ullr
Ullr is the son of Sif and stepson of Thor. He is a superb archer and skier, and it is auspicious to invoke him in single combat.
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32. Of Forseti
Forseti is the son of Baldr and Nanna. His hall is called Glitnir and is resplendently beautiful. He is the greatest judge among gods and men.
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33. Of Loki
Loki is counted among the Aesir but is evil in disposition. His father is Farbauti and his mother Laufey. By the giantess Angrboda he fathered Hel, Fenrir, and Jörmungandr. He is also the mother of Sleipnir, born from the stallion Svadilfari.
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34. The Binding of Fenrir
The gods raised Fenrir among themselves. Only Tyr dared feed him. The dwarves crafted the magical fetter Gleipnir from impossible things. When Fenrir tested the bond, he bit off Tyr's hand.
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35. The Asynjar
Frigg is the foremost of the Asynjar. Then follow Saga, Eir, Gefjun, Fulla, Freyja, Sjofn, Lofn, Var, Vor, Syn, Hlin, Snotra, and Gna. Sol and Bil are also counted among the goddesses.
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36. The Valkyries
The valkyries serve in Valholl and carry mead to the fallen warriors. Odin sends them to every battle to choose who shall fall and who shall be victorious.
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37. Hel and Her Realm
Hel, Loki's daughter, rules over the dead who die of illness and old age. Her hall is called Eljudnir. Her dish is called Hunger, her knife Famine, and her threshold Stumbling-block.
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38. The Midgard Serpent
Odin cast Jörmungandr into the deep sea that encircles all the land. There the serpent has grown so large that it encircles all Midgard and bites its own tail.
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39. The Building of Asgard's Wall
A builder offered to raise the walls of Asgard in three seasons in exchange for Freyja, the sun, and the moon. Loki tricked the builder by transforming into a mare. Thor slew the builder once it was revealed he was a giant.
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40. Of Sleipnir
Loki, in the shape of a mare, gave birth to Sleipnir after his union with the stallion Svadilfari. Sleipnir is the finest horse among gods and men and has eight legs.
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41. Freyr's Love for Gerðr
Freyr sits upon Hliðskjálf and gazes across the worlds. He sees a radiant woman, the giantess Gerðr, and falls immediately in love. He sends his servant Skírnir to woo her on his behalf. Skírnir travels to the realm of giants and eventually wins Gerðr's consent.
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42. Thor's Journey to Útgarða-Loki
Thor and Loki set out eastward toward Jötunheimr, with the peasant children Þjálfi and Röskva as companions. They lodge overnight at a farmstead. Thor slaughters his goats and gives them to the farmer's family to eat. Þjálfi breaks a bone to get at the marrow. The next morning Thor revives the goats with Mjölnir, but one of them is lame.
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43. Skrýmir and the Three Hammer-Blows
The company travels onward and meets the enormous giant Skrýmir in the forest. They sleep inside what they think is a hall but is in fact a glove. Thor attempts three times to strike Skrýmir with Mjölnir during the night, but the giant merely wakes and asks whether a leaf fell on him.
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44. The Contests at Útgarðr
The company reaches the greatest stronghold they have ever seen and squeezes in through the gate. They meet Útgarða-Loki, who challenges them to contests. Loki competes in eating against Logi and loses, for Logi is wildfire itself consuming meat, bone, and trough alike. Þjálfi runs against Hugi and loses, for Hugi is thought.
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45. Thor's Contests
Thor takes part in three contests. He tries to drain a great drinking horn but can barely lower the level, for the horn is connected to the sea. He tries to lift a grey cat but manages only one paw, for the cat is Jörmungandr in disguise. He wrestles the old woman Elli but cannot bring her down, for Elli is old age.
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46. Útgarða-Loki Reveals the Illusions
The next morning Útgarða-Loki leads the company out of the stronghold and reveals the truth. Everything was sorcery. Logi was wildfire, Hugi was thought, the horn was connected to the sea, the cat was Jörmungandr and Elli was old age itself. Thor raises Mjölnir in anger, but the stronghold vanishes.
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47. Thor Fishes for the Midgard Serpent
Thor travels to the giant Hymir and rows out to sea with him. He uses an ox-head as bait. Jörmungandr bites at the hook and Thor hauls the serpent up from the sea. They stare at one another. Hymir cuts the line in terror and the serpent sinks back to the depths.
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48. The Death of Baldr
Baldr is troubled by evil dreams. Frigg takes oaths from all things not to harm him, but overlooks the mistletoe. The gods amuse themselves throwing and shooting at Baldr, who is invulnerable. Loki disguises himself and questions Frigg. He cuts a mistletoe branch, goes to the blind Höðr and guides his hand. The mistletoe strikes Baldr and he falls dead.
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49. Hermóðr Rides to Hel
Hermóðr rides nine nights on Sleipnir to the gate of the realm of death. He meets Baldr and Nanna in Hel's hall. Hel promises to release Baldr if everything in the world weeps for him. Messengers are sent out and everything weeps except the giantess Þökk, who is Loki in disguise.
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50. The Punishment of Loki
Loki flees but the gods find him disguised as a salmon at a waterfall. They catch him and bind him with his son Nari's entrails against a rock in a cave. A serpent hangs above him and drips corrosive venom. His wife Sigyn holds a bowl to catch the poison, but when she carries it away to empty it, Loki writhes and earthquakes arise.
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51. Fimbulwinter and the Beginning of Ragnarök
Ragnarök begins with Fimbulwinter, three winters without summer. The sun and moon are swallowed by the wolves Sköll and Hati. Jörmungandr rises from the sea. Naglfar sails with its doomed crew. Fenrir breaks free. Surtr leads the sons of Múspell. Heimdallr blows the Gjallarhorn. Odin consults the head of Mímir.
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52. The Battle
Ragnarök culminates in a final battle on Vígríðr. Odin falls before Fenrir and is swallowed by the wolf. Víðarr tears apart Fenrir's jaws and avenges his father. Thor kills Jörmungandr but dies of the serpent's venom. Freyr falls before Surtr because he gave away his sword. Týr and Garmr slay each other. Heimdallr and Loki slay each other. Surtr sets the world on fire.
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53. The Rebirth of the World
The earth rises from the sea, green and fertile. Baldr and Höðr return from the realm of death. Víðarr and Váli are alive. Móði and Magni inherit Mjölnir. Líf and Lífþrasir survive in Hoddmímis holt and repopulate the world. A new sun shines. In Gimlé, the golden hall, the righteous shall dwell in eternity.
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54. Epilogue: Gangleri Awakes
The narrative concludes with Gangleri finding himself standing on an open plain. The stronghold, the three men and the whole company have vanished. He makes his way home and tells his people what he has heard. Snorri concludes with a reflection on how the divine names lived on in the memory of peoples.