Week Six Reaction: Havamal

I found Havamal very bizarre, mostly in that it changes abruptly so many times, and interweaves proverbs, stories, and multiple characters as speakers. I was once again struck by how similar some of the Viking proverbs are to ours. The similar themes of friendship, honor, and especially wisdom are cross-cultural. I was not able to pick a favorite stanza, but have a few (sorry- I tried to narrow it down!):

12. Less good there lies than most believe
In ale for mortal men;
For the more he drinks the less does man
Of his mind the mastery hold.

I would not have expected anti-drinking stanzas, because I guess I was thinking the holding of liquor would be another manly quality, but this stanza surprised me. I think it is very wise. I did notice, however, that some other stanzas contradicted this one (like 19) in upholding honor of drinking everything a host places before you.

58. He must early go forth who fain the blood
Or the goods of another would get;
The wolf that lies idle shall win little meat,
Or the sleeping man success.

I got really excited when I read this one because it is like their version of “the early bird gets the worm.” I know I’ve said this before, but I find the fact that such sayings span oceans and centuries is so fascinating. Of course the first two lines of this stanza seem to imply battle or stealing instead of nature’s work, but I am certain the meaning is the same as ours today, however pastoral it may be.

94. Fault with another let no man find
For what touches many a man;
Wise men oft into witless fools
Are made by mighty love.

The girl in me had to put this one- the last line reminds me of a line from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice: “We are all fools in love.” Despite some of the other anti-feminist messages in Havamal, like never trusting a woman’s word, I think this stanza shows that the Vikings were still emotional beings who could get giddy and slightly idiotic when they fell in love, and were able to acknowledge that in their culture.