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Beli (jötunn)

January 01, 1970

Beli (Old Norse: [ˈbele]) is a jötunn in Norse mythology. He is said in eddic poetry to have been killed by the god Freyr.[1] Saturn's moon Beli is named after him.

Name edit

The Old Norse name Beli has been translated as 'roarer'.[2][3] It is related to the Old Norse weak verb belja ('to roar'; cf. Icelandic belja, Old Swedish bälia 'to roar').[2]

Attestations edit

Eddas edit

In Gylfaginning (The Beguiling of Gylfi), the god Freyr is forced to fight weaponless against the giant Beli, since he has given his sword to his servant Skírnir before sending him to court Gerðr for his master. Freyr eventually manages to kill the giant with the antler of a hart (stag).[3][1]

In Völuspá (Prophecy of the Völva), Freyr is portrayed as "Beli's slayer" (bani Belja, 53).[3][4]

Skaldic poetry edit

In Háleygjatal, written by 10th-century skald Eyvindr skáldaspillir, Freyr is called "Beli's enemy" (Belja dólgr), and Þjóðólfr of Hvinir uses the kenning "evil troop of Beli" (bölverðung Belja) in his Haustlöng.[4]

Theories edit

According to scholar John Lindow, the killing of Beli is part of an older myth that has been lost and "can be glimpsed only in passing".[1]

Elsewhere in Skírnismál (The Lay of Skírnir), Gerðr complains of the slaying of her brother by Frey, which some scholars have interpreted as evidence that she was the sister of Beli.[1] According to Orchard, "it is clear that Gerd’s reluctance to accept Frey’s favours is based in no small part on her grief for her unnamed brother, whom Frey might have killed. It is therefore possible that Beli is the brother of Gerd, although Frey’s traditional weaponlessness, most tellingly at Ragnarok against Surt, renders the identification uncertain."[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Lindow 2002, p. 73.
  2. ^ a b de Vries 1962, p. 32.
  3. ^ a b c d Orchard 1997, p. 16.
  4. ^ a b Clunies Ross 2005, p. 98 (note 11).

Bibliography edit

  • de Vries, Jan (1962). Altnordisches Etymologisches Worterbuch (1977 ed.). Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-05436-3.
  • Clunies Ross, Margaret (2005). A History of Old Norse Poetry and Poetics. D.S. Brewer. ISBN 978-1-84384-279-8.
  • Faulkes, Anthony, trans. (1987). Edda (1995 ed.). Everyman. ISBN 0-460-87616-3.
  • Lindow, John (2002). Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-983969-8.
  • Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-34520-5.

January 01, 1970
beli, jötunn, beli, norse, ˈbele, jötunn, norse, mythology, said, eddic, poetry, have, been, killed, freyr, saturn, moon, beli, named, after, contents, name, attestations, eddas, skaldic, poetry, theories, references, bibliographyname, editthe, norse, name, be. Beli Old Norse ˈbele is a jotunn in Norse mythology He is said in eddic poetry to have been killed by the god Freyr 1 Saturn s moon Beli is named after him Contents 1 Name 2 Attestations 2 1 Eddas 2 2 Skaldic poetry 3 Theories 4 References 4 1 BibliographyName editThe Old Norse name Beli has been translated as roarer 2 3 It is related to the Old Norse weak verb belja to roar cf Icelandic belja Old Swedish balia to roar 2 Attestations editEddas edit In Gylfaginning The Beguiling of Gylfi the god Freyr is forced to fight weaponless against the giant Beli since he has given his sword to his servant Skirnir before sending him to court Gerdr for his master Freyr eventually manages to kill the giant with the antler of a hart stag 3 1 In Voluspa Prophecy of the Volva Freyr is portrayed as Beli s slayer bani Belja 53 3 4 Skaldic poetry edit In Haleygjatal written by 10th century skald Eyvindr skaldaspillir Freyr is called Beli s enemy Belja dolgr and THjodolfr of Hvinir uses the kenning evil troop of Beli bolverdung Belja in his Haustlong 4 Theories editAccording to scholar John Lindow the killing of Beli is part of an older myth that has been lost and can be glimpsed only in passing 1 Elsewhere in Skirnismal The Lay of Skirnir Gerdr complains of the slaying of her brother by Frey which some scholars have interpreted as evidence that she was the sister of Beli 1 According to Orchard it is clear that Gerd s reluctance to accept Frey s favours is based in no small part on her grief for her unnamed brother whom Frey might have killed It is therefore possible that Beli is the brother of Gerd although Frey s traditional weaponlessness most tellingly at Ragnarok against Surt renders the identification uncertain 3 References edit a b c d Lindow 2002 p 73 a b de Vries 1962 p 32 a b c d Orchard 1997 p 16 a b Clunies Ross 2005 p 98 note 11 Bibliography edit de Vries Jan 1962 Altnordisches Etymologisches Worterbuch 1977 ed Brill ISBN 978 90 04 05436 3 Clunies Ross Margaret 2005 A History of Old Norse Poetry and Poetics D S Brewer ISBN 978 1 84384 279 8 Faulkes Anthony trans 1987 Edda 1995 ed Everyman ISBN 0 460 87616 3 Lindow John 2002 Norse Mythology A Guide to Gods Heroes Rituals and Beliefs Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 983969 8 Orchard Andy 1997 Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend Cassell ISBN 978 0 304 34520 5 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Beli jotunn amp oldid 1107120019, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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