Vikings: Fact and Fiction (With Kelsey Fuller-Shafer)
Nov 2, 2023
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Dr. Kelsey Fuller-Shafer, author of Norse Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook, discusses Viking culture, women warriors, and the challenges of studying Norse mythology. The unreliable historical documents and propaganda in mythology are explored. The concept of Norse zombies and viking hairstyles are also discussed.
Studying Norse mythology provides insight into Viking culture and society, including their beliefs, social norms, and gender roles.
Norse mythology has had a significant influence on modern literature and media, particularly in works like J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.
The depiction of powerful and unconventional female characters in Norse mythology challenges the gender roles of medieval Norse society.
Deep dives
The Vikings were raiders and pirates
The Vikings were known for their raiding activities, which was essentially their job description. The Viking Age in Scandinavia started around 793 with the first successful Viking attack on Lindisfarne Abbey. Vikings were notorious for their raids throughout Europe, but it's important to note that not everyone in Scandinavia during that time was a Viking. Most of the people living in the region were farmers, craftsmen, and poets, engaged in peaceful occupations.
Norse mythology provides insights into Viking society
Studying Norse mythology offers insights into Viking culture and society. The myths reflect the Vikings' beliefs about the creation of humans and the world, as well as their social norms, values, and daily life. Through the stories, we learn about concepts of honor, honesty, hospitality, beauty, socioeconomics, and gender roles in Viking society. While the myths give us valuable cultural information, it's important to acknowledge that Norse mythology was interpreted and recorded by Christian writers in Iceland around 200 years after the Viking Age, so it is viewed through a Christian lens.
Connections between Norse mythology and modern works
Norse mythology has had a significant impact on modern works, including literature and media. There are clear parallels between Norse mythology and J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, particularly in the characters and themes of Odin and Gandalf. Other examples include the influence of Norse mythology in the names, motifs, and elements found in Tolkien's writings. While some connections are more easily identifiable, it's worth noting that Norse mythology has been shaped by various interpretations and its impact can be seen in different forms across literature and popular culture.
Norse Mythology: The Resurgence of Female Characters
In Norse mythology, there are several surprising and powerful female characters that defy the traditional gender roles of a male-dominated society. One notable example is the goddess Freya, who is the queen of the Valkyries and associated with love and fertility. Another example is the Valkyries, elite shield maidens who work for Odin and collect the souls of fallen warriors. These female characters challenge the stereotypes and expectations placed upon women in medieval Norse society.
Unveiling the Mystery of the Goddess Hel
The goddess Hel in Norse mythology is a fascinating figure. While the sources prior to the Prose Edda described her as a place, Snorri Sturluson, the author of the Prose Edda, portrayed her as a person. Hel is the daughter of Loki and she governs the realm of the dead. What's intriguing is that it is unclear when and why Hel transformed from a place to a person in Norse mythology. The depiction of Hel as a person with a half-dead, half-living appearance adds further intrigue to her character. However, it is unknown if Snorri invented this concept or drew it from older sources.
When we talk about the Vikings, who are we talking about, exactly? What can we learn about Viking culture by looking at their myths? And which of the ancient sources about them (if any) can we trust?
This week, we take a look at Norse mythology and history with Dr. Kelsey Fuller-Shafer, author of Norse Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook: From Vikings to Valkyries, an Epic Who's Who in Old Norse Mythology (a kind of companion book to our Women of Myth). Join us as we get to know the Vikings.
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