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Kalevipoeg

January 20, 2023

Kalevipoeg (Estonian pronunciation: [ˈkɑ.le.ʋiˈpoe̯g], Kalev's Son) is a 19th century epic poem by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald which has since been considered the Estonian national epic.

Illustration of Kalevipoeg by Oskar Kallis, 1914

Origins

Eno Raud's version of Kalevipoeg, read by Oskar Punga for the 150th anniversary of the Estonian Students' Society (in Estonian)

In pre-Christian ancient Estonia there existed an oral tradition of legends explaining the origin of the world. Within old Estonian folklore, a benevolent giant by the name of Kalev, Kalevine, Kalevipoiss, Kalevine poisikine and Kalevin poika appears, battling with other giants or enemies of the nation. Early written references are found in Leyen Spiegel in 1641 as "Kalliweh", and in a list of deities published by Mikael Agricola in 1551 as "Caleuanpoiat".[1]

The earliest remaining written reference to Kalevipoeg – also known as Kaleva in Finland and Kalevi, Kalev, Kalevine, Kalevipoiss, Kalevine poisikine, Kalevin Poika in Estonia – is by many experts considered to be one found in Widsith, also known as The Traveller's Song, which also provides the earliest known written usage of the name Viking, with the spelling wicing. Widsith is a 6th or 7th century Anglo-Saxon poem – or song – of 143 lines, which became copied into the Exeter Book, a manuscript of Old English poetry compiled in the late 10th century. Widsith is for the most part a survey of the people, kings and heroes of Europe in the Germanic Heroic Age.

The following is stated in Widsith:

"Caesar ruled the Greeks, Caelic the Finns ... I was with the Greeks and Finns and also with Caesar ...".

Many historians and folklorists believe Widsith's "Caelic" to be a reference to the ancient Finnic ruler Kaleva/Kalevi, discussed in both the Finnish epic Kalevala and the Estonian epic Kalevipoeg.[2]

History

The main material is taken from Estonian folklore of a giant hero named Kalevipoeg ("Kalev's son", often Anglicised as "Kalevide"). These tales mainly interpret various natural objects and features as traces of Kalevipoeg's deeds and have similarities with national epics from neighbouring regions, especially the Finnish Kalevala.

In 1839, Friedrich Robert Faehlmann read a paper at the Learned Estonian Society about the legends of Kalevipoeg. He sketched the plot of a national romantic epic poem. In 1850, after Faehlmann's death, Kreutzwald started writing the poem, interpreting it as the reconstruction of an obsolete oral epic. He collected oral stories and wove them together into a unified whole.

The first version of Kalevipoeg (1853; 13,817 verses) could not be printed due to censorship.[citation needed] The second, thoroughly revised version (19,087 verses) was published in sequels as an academic publication by the Learned Estonian Society in 1857–1861. The publication included a translation into German. In 1862, the third, somewhat abridged version (19,023 verses) came out. This was a book for common readers. It was printed in Kuopio, Finland.

Characters

 
The Kalevipoeg sculpture, made by Jaan Kristin, at the Glehni Park in Tallinn in the early 20th century

In Estonian (mainly East Estonian) legends, Kalevipoeg carries stones or throws them at enemies, and also uses planks edgewise as weapons, following the advice of a hedgehog.[3] He also forms surface structures on landscape and bodies of water and builds towns. He walks through deep water. Kalevipoeg eventually dies after his feet are cut off by his own sword owing to his own prior—and fatally ambiguous—instructions.

Kalevipoeg was the youngest son of Kalev and Linda, born after his father's death and surpassed his brothers in intelligence and strength. It is often thought that Kalevipoeg's real name was Sohni/Soini, but it actually means simply 'son' and he never had other name than Kalevipoeg. Alevipoeg, Olevipoeg [et] and Sulevipoeg were his brothers.

The character only rarely appears in folk songs. In literature, he was first mentioned by Heinrich Stahl in the 17th century.

Synopsis

 
Kalevipoeg in the Netherworld. Oskar Kallis, 1915.

Kalevipoeg travels to Finland in search of his kidnapped mother. During his travel he purchases a sword but kills the blacksmith's eldest son in an argument. The blacksmith places a curse on the sword and throws it in the river. On returning to Estonia Kalevipoeg becomes king after defeating his brothers in a stone hurling competition. He constructs towns and forts and tills the land in Estonia. Kalevipoeg then journeys to the ends of the earth to expand his knowledge. He defeats Satan in a trial of strength and rescues three maidens from hell. War breaks out and destruction visits Estonia. Kalevipoeg's faithful comrades are killed, after which he hands the kingship to his brother Olev and withdraws to the forest, depressed. Crossing a river, the sword cursed by the Blacksmith and previously thrown in the river attacks and cuts off his legs. Kalevipoeg dies and goes to heaven. Taara, in consultation with the other gods, reanimates Kalevipoeg, places his legless body on a white steed, and sends him down to the gates of hell where he is ordered to strike the rock with his fist, thus entrapping hell in the rock. So Kalevipoeg remains to guard the gates of hell.[4]

Structure

Poetic structure

The epic is written in old Estonian alliterative verse. Approximately one eighth of the verses are authentic; the rest are imitation.

Contents and synopses

 
Kalev proposes marriage to Linda. Kristjan Raud, ca. 1935.

The Kalevipoeg consists of twenty cantos.

Canto I - The marriages of Salme and Linda

Three brothers travel to different places. The youngest is Kalev. He is taken to Estonia on the back of a great eagle. He becomes king of the land.
A widow walks alone and finds a hen, a grouse's egg and a crow on her travels. She takes them home and the former 2 grow into the maidens Salme and Linda. The crow--which she discarded--grows into a servant girl.
Many suitors come to the girls, Salme and Linda. Salme is wooed by the sun, moon and stars themselves. Linda is also wooed by them, but she chooses Kalev, the frightening giant, as her husband. Salme and Linda leave with their respective husbands to complete their lives with them.

Canto II - The death of Kalev

Kalev dies, but before his death prophesies the greatness of his unborn sons (Sohni, Kalevide, Son of Kalev).
Linda weeps for seven days and nights over her husband's death. Her tears create Ülemiste järv, situated in Tallinn nowadays. She then prepares him for his funeral and buries him 35 metres below the ground, constructing, as his burial mound, what is now known as the hill of "Toompea" (upon which, today, is seated the Estonian parliament and the seat of Government), in the process.
Linda feels the birth of her son approaching and asks the gods for help. Uku comes to her aid with bedding and comfort.
When her son is born, he cries for months and proceeds to tear his clothes and cradle. He grows quickly, learns the trades of the land and plays games.

Canto III - The fate of Linda

The 3 sons of Kalev go on a hunting trip, leaving their mother to attend to her duties at home.
While the men are off hunting, a Finnish sorcerer (who had previously tried to win the hand of Linda and failed), "Tuuslar", sneaks up on Linda and steals her away. She fights hard and manages to get away. She is turned into stone by the gods.
The brothers return and search in vain for their mother. The Kalevide asks for help from his father's grave.

Canto IV - The island maiden

The Kalevide swims to Finland. He stops off at an island where he meets and seduces a beautiful maiden.
The maiden hears the name and origin of the Kalevide and is horrified. She loses her footing and plunges into the water. The Kalevide jumps in after her but is unable to find her so he carries on to Finland.
The maiden's parents check the sea and find an oak and fir tree and other trinkets, but not their daughter.
A song rises up from the sea telling the story of how the maiden was seduced down into the deep.

Canto V - The Kalevide and the Finnish sorcerer

The parents of the maiden plant the oak tree they found at the bottom of the sea. In a short time it grows to the sky. The mother finds a small man hiding in the wings of an eagle, he is asked to fell the tree, he agrees on the condition he is let free.
The Kalevide reaches Finland and finds the sorcerer in his house. The sorcerer creates a huge army to fend off Kalevide, but the Kalevide fells them all with his mighty strength and proceeds to question the sorcerer about his mother. When he fails to answer, the Kalevide crushes his head with his club and proceeds to weep for his crime.

Canto VI - The Kalevide and the swordsmiths

The Kalevide visits Ilmarinen (Ilmarine in Estonian), the famous Finnish blacksmith, and asks him to create a sword. He presents various swords. He tests them by striking them against the cliff walls of the smithy, itself. None are adequate, so Ilmarinen presents a sword created at the bequest of Kalev, which pleases the Kalevide greatly. This sword, imbued with magical properties and having taken 7 years to forge, Kalevipoeg tests by striking against the anvil upon which it was forged, which it splits in two. This proves the sword's worthiness and he agrees to pay a rich price for it to Ilmarine.
A great feast and drinking bout is held. Unfortunately, the Kalevide argues with, gets angry and fells the head of Ilmarinen's eldest son (who is also intoxicated at this point, as is Kalevipoeg) with the very sword he helped create. Ilmarinen curses the sword. He leaves and later realises his second great crime and weeps.
The great oak tree of the maiden of the island is felled to create a bridge, ships and a hut.

Canto VII - The return of the Kalevide

The Kalevide takes the sorcerer's boat and returns home. The brothers tell their stories. The Kalevide visits his father's grave again.

Canto VIII - The contest and parting of the brothers

 
Kalevide's "Stones" at Lake Peipus
 
Sleeping Kalevipoeg. Kristjan Raud. 1934.
Kalev's 3 sons go to a lake's edge and throw stones to decide who will stay and rule the land. The Kalevide wins and the brothers part.
The Kalevide tends to the land and falls into a deep sleep. During this time, his horse is eaten by wolves.

Canto IX - Rumours of war

The Kalevide wakes from a terrible dream that his horse was killed by wolves only to find it is true. He runs through the land, killing all the wild beasts his can find in vengeance. He becomes tired and sleeps again.
A messenger comes to the Kalevide and informs him of a battle against his people.

Canto X - The heroes and the Water-Demon

While the Kalevide and his cousin Alevide are walking through the country they come across a pair of demons arguing over the ownership of a pool. The Alevide drains the pool, but the host water-demon asks him to desist. The Alevide tricks the water-demon out of his riches.
The Alevide sends his cousin's servant to the water-demons lair. He is teased and runs away. The Kalevide wrestles the water-demon and wins.
The Kalevide decides to fortify towns for protection, he goes to Lake Peipus to fetch wood. He meets the Air-maiden in a well.

Canto XI - The loss of the sword

The Kalevide walks across Lake Peipus but a sorcerer spies him and decides to drown him. His efforts fail.
The sorcerer steals the Kalevide's sword. After an attempt to take it away, he is forced to drop it in a stream. When the Kalevide awakes he goes hunting for his sword. When he finds it, he consults it and finds it is happier in the stream. He leaves it there, but orders it to cut off the feet of the sorcerer should he ever return.
The Kalevide carries on in this journey and meets a man of human stature who regales him with a story of giants. The Kalevide is amused and offers his protection. He places the man in his wallet.

Canto XII - The fight with the sorcerer's sons

The three sons of the sorcerer attack the Kalevide while he is walking on his way. He fights hard but gains no ground until he hears and heeds the advice of a small voice from the underbrush. He defeats the sorcerer's sons and asks his helper to show himself. After some persuasion, his helper comes out of the underbrush and the Kalevide cuts some of his coat for the small creature to cover himself up, but only cuts enough to cover his back.
The Kalevide discovers that man in his wallet is dead and grieves. He falls asleep and is enchanted by the sorcerer. He sleeps for 7 weeks and dreams about Ilmarine's workshop.

Canto XIII - The Kalevide's first journey to Hades

On his return journey, the Kalevide sees demons cooking at the entrance to a cave. He enters the cave and finds the palace of Sarvik. He breaks in and meets 3 maidens.
The Kalevide and the maidens talk and they give him a magic hat and rod. He promises to free them from Sarvik and find them husbands.

Canto XIV - The palace of Sarvik

 
Kalevipoeg and Sarvik, sculpture by Amandus Adamson (1914)
The 3 maidens show the Kalevide around Sarvik's palace. It is an intricate and massive castle. They confess that they are immortal and ever radiant, but they are unhappy and have no joys in life. The Kalevide tells them he will rescue them and he makes plans to wrestle with Sarvik. The 2 oldest maidens switch Sarvik's magical liquors so he will be weakened when he drinks. The Kalevide uses the magic hat to make himself appear smaller.
When Sarvik returned, he demanded the Kalevide explain himself. Kalevide makes his challenge and the 2 combatants wrestle viciously. When they stop for a rest, the Kalevide uses the hat to regain his old size and strength and bashes Sarvik into the ground.
The Kalevide and the maidens flee from Sarvik's palace. The Kalevide burns the magic hat much to the distress of the maidens.

Canto XV - The marriage of the sisters

The maidens and the Kalevide are chased by demons. The youngest maiden uses the magic rod to create a torrent of water and a bridge to take them to safety.
Tühi questions the Kalevide about his visit to Põrgu and his fight with Sarvik, the Kalevide answers sarcastically.
The maidens are married to Alevide and Sulevide but the second maiden is kidnapped by a sorcerer. They hunt for her, kill the sorcerer and recover her, she is married to their friend Olevide.

Canto XVI - The voyage of the Kalevide

The Kalevide ponders a voyage to the end of the world. A great ship called Lennuk is created.
The Kalevide meets a Laplander called Varrak who tells him that the end of the world is not reachable. He offers to take them home. The Kalevide says he needs no help to return home but would be grateful if Varrak would take them to the world's end. The voyage to an island of fire, steam and smoke where the Sulevide gets scorched.
They are found by a giant child who carries them to her father. The father requests that they solve his riddles for their release. They are successful and the daughter takes them to their boat and blows them out to sea.
The group carries on in its journey north. They witness the northern lights and eventually come to an island of dog men. After some troubles, peace is made with the dog men and the leader of them tells the Kalevide that he has wasted his time. The Kalevide finally decides to go home.

Canto XVII - The heroes and the dwarf

Magnificent fortified cities have been built by Olevide. Alevide and the Sulevide have also built fine cities. The Kalevide names Olevide's city after his mother, Lindanisa (modern day Tallinn).
News of a great invasion force reaches the Kalevide and he sets of to fight in a long pitched battle, during which he loses his horse in the sheer depth of gore created during the battle.
After the battle is over and the spoils handed out, the Kalevide and his friends set out to find further invaders. They come across an old woman cooking and settle down for the night.
During the night a dwarf appears and asks each of the heroes if he can take a sip from the pot of soup the old woman was cooking. All but the Kalevide allow him to and he proceeds to drink the whole pot, grow to the sky then vanish.
After the dwarf has appeared to all of the heroes the daughters of the Meadow Queen dance and sing and tell the tale of adventures still to come to the Kalevide.

Canto XVIII - The Kalevide's journey to Põrgu (Hell)

The Kalevide wakes in the night and finds the gates to Põrgu. He enters and proceeds into the depths of hell itself, aided by creatures along the way.
The Kalevide comes across a large iron bridge and the huge army of Sarvik. He battles hard and eventually gets over the bridge to the palace of Sarvik. He beats his way in and is greeted by a vision of his mother and Sarvik's mother.

Canto XIX - The last feast of the heroes

 
Kalevipoeg Destroying Webs on His Way to Hell ca. 1935. Kristjan Raud.
The Kalevide and Sarvik have a lengthy wrestling match in which the Kalevide prevails. He binds Sarvik heavily with chains, takes a small treasure and leaves for the world of men.
The Kalevide and his friends have a meal of ox which the Alevide was able to kill.
The Kalevide and his friends return to Lindanisa and a great feast and drinking bout begins. Many songs are sung and much joy is in the air. There is news of yet another invasion from all sides of the country by many enemies.
Varrak departs for Lapland, taking with him a book of wisdom, given to him by the Kalevide, much to the dismay of the Olevide and Sulevide.
Many refugees arrive with news of the impending battles. The Kalevide consults his Father's grave, but no answer comes.

Canto XX - Armageddon

The Kalevide and his friends prepare for war. The Kalevide buries his treasure and protects it with incantations to Taara.
The Kalevide and his friends engage in a fierce battle which lasts many days and in which the Kalevide loses his horse and the Sulevide is badly injured. The Sulevide eventually dies.
Olevide builds a large bridge over the river Võhandu and the army proceeds over to engage the remaining enemy. The battle rages hard for many days until the heroes are exhausted and decide to take a drink. The Alevide slips and falls into the lake and drowns.
The Kalevide is so grief-stricken he abdicates and places his kingdom in the hands of Olevide. The Kalevide leaves for a peaceful life on the banks of the river Koiva. He does not get the peace he desires and is annoyed by many visitors, some aggressive. He wanders around the country annoyed by these intrusions and makes his way to Lake Peipus. He wades into Kääpa, the brook where his old sword lay, and the sword keeps its promise to cut off the feet of anyone who dares wade in the brook. Unfortunately the Kalevide had forgotten this promise and his feet are cut off.
The Kalevide dies and is taken to heaven. However, he is deemed too valuable and is reanimated in his old body to stand guard for eternity at the gates of Põrgu to keep watch on Sarvik and his demons. He is there still tied to the gates of Põrgu by his hand, which is locked in a rock.

Comparative mythology

  • The amputation of the legs of Kalevide by a magical sword is similar to the Hurrian mythic theme of the amputation of the feet of Ullikummi by a . According to Eustathius (ad Hor.[check spelling]), the Telkhin-es were likewise beings without feet.

Influences

Kalevipoeg has been referenced in both official contexts and in popular culture. The Estonian Declaration of Independence begins with a passage that quotes a god in Canto XX, right after the death of the protagonist Kalevipoeg: "In the course of centuries never have the Estonian people lost their desire for independence. From generation to generation have they kept alive the hidden hope that in spite of enslavement and oppression by hostile invaders the time will come to Estonia 'when all splints, at both end, will burst forth into flames' and when 'Kalev will come home to bring his children happiness'. Now that time has arrived."[citation needed]

Editions

  • The Hero of Estonia. And other studies in the romantic literature of that country - William Forsell Kirby. 1895
  • Kalevipoeg: An Ancient Estonian Tale - Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, Trans. Jüri Kurman - ISBN 0-918542-02-2. 1982
  • Kalevipoeg: the Estonian National Epic - Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, Trans. Triinu Kartus. Estonian Literary Museum, 2011[5]

Further reading

  • Cornelius Hasselblatt: Kalevipoeg Studies. The Creation and Reception of an Epic. Helsinki: Finnish Literature Society – SKS 2016. (Studia Fennica Folkloristica 21)[1]
  • Guntis Smidchens (2007). "National Heroic Narratives in the Baltics as a Source for Nonviolent Political Action". Slavic Review. 66 (3): 484–508. doi:10.2307/20060298. JSTOR 20060298.

See also

References

  1. ^ Honko, Lauri (1990). Religion, myth, and folklore in the world's epics: the Kalevala and its predecessors. Walter de Gruyter. p. 266. ISBN 978-3-11-012253-4.
  2. ^ "Widsith: Anglosaksinen muinaisruno". Authors: Osmo Pekonen and Clive Tolley. Published in Jyväskylä, Finland, by Minerva in 2004, ISBN 952-5478-66-1
  3. ^ "European Literary Characters: Kalevipoeg". European Literary Characters. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  4. ^ Oinas, Felix (1997). Studies in Finnic Folklore. Routledge. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-7007-0947-2.
  5. ^ Rikken, Kristopher (13 October 2011). "Kalevipoeg Marks 150 Years with New English Translation". ERR News. Estonian Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 20 September 2019.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kalevipoeg.
  • The English version (translated by W. F. Kirby) at Project Gutenberg. Kalevipoeg as well as other Estonian folk tales.
  • The English version (translated by W. F. Kirby) at Sacred Texts. Kalevipoeg as well as other Estonian folk tales.
  • Kalevipoeg
  • An article exploring the meaning and depth of the Kalevipoeg
  • A site containing the five initial Cantos of Kalevipoeg (in Estonian)
  • Digital images of first printing at EEVA
  • A short film version of the myth by Estonian director Ekke Vasli
  • "Kalevipoeg" . Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.

January 20, 2023
kalevipoeg, estonian, pronunciation, ˈkɑ, ʋiˈpoe, kalev, 19th, century, epic, poem, friedrich, reinhold, kreutzwald, which, since, been, considered, estonian, national, epic, illustration, oskar, kallis, 1914, contents, origins, history, characters, synopsis, . Kalevipoeg Estonian pronunciation ˈkɑ le ʋiˈpoe g Kalev s Son is a 19th century epic poem by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald which has since been considered the Estonian national epic Illustration of Kalevipoeg by Oskar Kallis 1914 Contents 1 Origins 2 History 3 Characters 4 Synopsis 5 Structure 5 1 Poetic structure 5 2 Contents and synopses 6 Comparative mythology 7 Influences 8 Editions 9 Further reading 10 See also 11 References 12 External linksOrigins Edit source source Eno Raud s version of Kalevipoeg read by Oskar Punga for the 150th anniversary of the Estonian Students Society in Estonian In pre Christian ancient Estonia there existed an oral tradition of legends explaining the origin of the world Within old Estonian folklore a benevolent giant by the name of Kalev Kalevine Kalevipoiss Kalevine poisikine and Kalevin poika appears battling with other giants or enemies of the nation Early written references are found in Leyen Spiegel in 1641 as Kalliweh and in a list of deities published by Mikael Agricola in 1551 as Caleuanpoiat 1 The earliest remaining written reference to Kalevipoeg also known as Kaleva in Finland and Kalevi Kalev Kalevine Kalevipoiss Kalevine poisikine Kalevin Poika in Estonia is by many experts considered to be one found in Widsith also known as The Traveller s Song which also provides the earliest known written usage of the name Viking with the spelling wicing Widsith is a 6th or 7th century Anglo Saxon poem or song of 143 lines which became copied into the Exeter Book a manuscript of Old English poetry compiled in the late 10th century Widsith is for the most part a survey of the people kings and heroes of Europe in the Germanic Heroic Age The following is stated in Widsith Caesar ruled the Greeks Caelic the Finns I was with the Greeks and Finns and also with Caesar Many historians and folklorists believe Widsith s Caelic to be a reference to the ancient Finnic ruler Kaleva Kalevi discussed in both the Finnish epic Kalevala and the Estonian epic Kalevipoeg 2 History EditThe main material is taken from Estonian folklore of a giant hero named Kalevipoeg Kalev s son often Anglicised as Kalevide These tales mainly interpret various natural objects and features as traces of Kalevipoeg s deeds and have similarities with national epics from neighbouring regions especially the Finnish Kalevala In 1839 Friedrich Robert Faehlmann read a paper at the Learned Estonian Society about the legends of Kalevipoeg He sketched the plot of a national romantic epic poem In 1850 after Faehlmann s death Kreutzwald started writing the poem interpreting it as the reconstruction of an obsolete oral epic He collected oral stories and wove them together into a unified whole The first version of Kalevipoeg 1853 13 817 verses could not be printed due to censorship citation needed The second thoroughly revised version 19 087 verses was published in sequels as an academic publication by the Learned Estonian Society in 1857 1861 The publication included a translation into German In 1862 the third somewhat abridged version 19 023 verses came out This was a book for common readers It was printed in Kuopio Finland Characters Edit The Kalevipoeg sculpture made by Jaan Kristin at the Glehni Park in Tallinn in the early 20th century In Estonian mainly East Estonian legends Kalevipoeg carries stones or throws them at enemies and also uses planks edgewise as weapons following the advice of a hedgehog 3 He also forms surface structures on landscape and bodies of water and builds towns He walks through deep water Kalevipoeg eventually dies after his feet are cut off by his own sword owing to his own prior and fatally ambiguous instructions Kalevipoeg was the youngest son of Kalev and Linda born after his father s death and surpassed his brothers in intelligence and strength It is often thought that Kalevipoeg s real name was Sohni Soini but it actually means simply son and he never had other name than Kalevipoeg Alevipoeg Olevipoeg et and Sulevipoeg were his brothers The character only rarely appears in folk songs In literature he was first mentioned by Heinrich Stahl in the 17th century Synopsis Edit Kalevipoeg in the Netherworld Oskar Kallis 1915 Kalevipoeg travels to Finland in search of his kidnapped mother During his travel he purchases a sword but kills the blacksmith s eldest son in an argument The blacksmith places a curse on the sword and throws it in the river On returning to Estonia Kalevipoeg becomes king after defeating his brothers in a stone hurling competition He constructs towns and forts and tills the land in Estonia Kalevipoeg then journeys to the ends of the earth to expand his knowledge He defeats Satan in a trial of strength and rescues three maidens from hell War breaks out and destruction visits Estonia Kalevipoeg s faithful comrades are killed after which he hands the kingship to his brother Olev and withdraws to the forest depressed Crossing a river the sword cursed by the Blacksmith and previously thrown in the river attacks and cuts off his legs Kalevipoeg dies and goes to heaven Taara in consultation with the other gods reanimates Kalevipoeg places his legless body on a white steed and sends him down to the gates of hell where he is ordered to strike the rock with his fist thus entrapping hell in the rock So Kalevipoeg remains to guard the gates of hell 4 Structure EditPoetic structure Edit The epic is written in old Estonian alliterative verse Approximately one eighth of the verses are authentic the rest are imitation Contents and synopses Edit Kalev proposes marriage to Linda Kristjan Raud ca 1935 The Kalevipoeg consists of twenty cantos Canto I The marriages of Salme and Linda Three brothers travel to different places The youngest is Kalev He is taken to Estonia on the back of a great eagle He becomes king of the land A widow walks alone and finds a hen a grouse s egg and a crow on her travels She takes them home and the former 2 grow into the maidens Salme and Linda The crow which she discarded grows into a servant girl Many suitors come to the girls Salme and Linda Salme is wooed by the sun moon and stars themselves Linda is also wooed by them but she chooses Kalev the frightening giant as her husband Salme and Linda leave with their respective husbands to complete their lives with them Canto II The death of Kalev Kalev dies but before his death prophesies the greatness of his unborn sons Sohni Kalevide Son of Kalev Linda weeps for seven days and nights over her husband s death Her tears create Ulemiste jarv situated in Tallinn nowadays She then prepares him for his funeral and buries him 35 metres below the ground constructing as his burial mound what is now known as the hill of Toompea upon which today is seated the Estonian parliament and the seat of Government in the process Linda feels the birth of her son approaching and asks the gods for help Uku comes to her aid with bedding and comfort When her son is born he cries for months and proceeds to tear his clothes and cradle He grows quickly learns the trades of the land and plays games Canto III The fate of Linda The 3 sons of Kalev go on a hunting trip leaving their mother to attend to her duties at home While the men are off hunting a Finnish sorcerer who had previously tried to win the hand of Linda and failed Tuuslar sneaks up on Linda and steals her away She fights hard and manages to get away She is turned into stone by the gods The brothers return and search in vain for their mother The Kalevide asks for help from his father s grave Canto IV The island maiden The Kalevide swims to Finland He stops off at an island where he meets and seduces a beautiful maiden The maiden hears the name and origin of the Kalevide and is horrified She loses her footing and plunges into the water The Kalevide jumps in after her but is unable to find her so he carries on to Finland The maiden s parents check the sea and find an oak and fir tree and other trinkets but not their daughter A song rises up from the sea telling the story of how the maiden was seduced down into the deep Canto V The Kalevide and the Finnish sorcerer The parents of the maiden plant the oak tree they found at the bottom of the sea In a short time it grows to the sky The mother finds a small man hiding in the wings of an eagle he is asked to fell the tree he agrees on the condition he is let free The Kalevide reaches Finland and finds the sorcerer in his house The sorcerer creates a huge army to fend off Kalevide but the Kalevide fells them all with his mighty strength and proceeds to question the sorcerer about his mother When he fails to answer the Kalevide crushes his head with his club and proceeds to weep for his crime Canto VI The Kalevide and the swordsmiths The Kalevide visits Ilmarinen Ilmarine in Estonian the famous Finnish blacksmith and asks him to create a sword He presents various swords He tests them by striking them against the cliff walls of the smithy itself None are adequate so Ilmarinen presents a sword created at the bequest of Kalev which pleases the Kalevide greatly This sword imbued with magical properties and having taken 7 years to forge Kalevipoeg tests by striking against the anvil upon which it was forged which it splits in two This proves the sword s worthiness and he agrees to pay a rich price for it to Ilmarine A great feast and drinking bout is held Unfortunately the Kalevide argues with gets angry and fells the head of Ilmarinen s eldest son who is also intoxicated at this point as is Kalevipoeg with the very sword he helped create Ilmarinen curses the sword He leaves and later realises his second great crime and weeps The great oak tree of the maiden of the island is felled to create a bridge ships and a hut Canto VII The return of the Kalevide The Kalevide takes the sorcerer s boat and returns home The brothers tell their stories The Kalevide visits his father s grave again Canto VIII The contest and parting of the brothers Kalevide s Stones at Lake Peipus Sleeping Kalevipoeg Kristjan Raud 1934 Kalev s 3 sons go to a lake s edge and throw stones to decide who will stay and rule the land The Kalevide wins and the brothers part The Kalevide tends to the land and falls into a deep sleep During this time his horse is eaten by wolves Canto IX Rumours of war The Kalevide wakes from a terrible dream that his horse was killed by wolves only to find it is true He runs through the land killing all the wild beasts his can find in vengeance He becomes tired and sleeps again A messenger comes to the Kalevide and informs him of a battle against his people Canto X The heroes and the Water Demon While the Kalevide and his cousin Alevide are walking through the country they come across a pair of demons arguing over the ownership of a pool The Alevide drains the pool but the host water demon asks him to desist The Alevide tricks the water demon out of his riches The Alevide sends his cousin s servant to the water demons lair He is teased and runs away The Kalevide wrestles the water demon and wins The Kalevide decides to fortify towns for protection he goes to Lake Peipus to fetch wood He meets the Air maiden in a well Canto XI The loss of the sword The Kalevide walks across Lake Peipus but a sorcerer spies him and decides to drown him His efforts fail The sorcerer steals the Kalevide s sword After an attempt to take it away he is forced to drop it in a stream When the Kalevide awakes he goes hunting for his sword When he finds it he consults it and finds it is happier in the stream He leaves it there but orders it to cut off the feet of the sorcerer should he ever return The Kalevide carries on in this journey and meets a man of human stature who regales him with a story of giants The Kalevide is amused and offers his protection He places the man in his wallet Canto XII The fight with the sorcerer s sons The three sons of the sorcerer attack the Kalevide while he is walking on his way He fights hard but gains no ground until he hears and heeds the advice of a small voice from the underbrush He defeats the sorcerer s sons and asks his helper to show himself After some persuasion his helper comes out of the underbrush and the Kalevide cuts some of his coat for the small creature to cover himself up but only cuts enough to cover his back The Kalevide discovers that man in his wallet is dead and grieves He falls asleep and is enchanted by the sorcerer He sleeps for 7 weeks and dreams about Ilmarine s workshop Canto XIII The Kalevide s first journey to Hades On his return journey the Kalevide sees demons cooking at the entrance to a cave He enters the cave and finds the palace of Sarvik He breaks in and meets 3 maidens The Kalevide and the maidens talk and they give him a magic hat and rod He promises to free them from Sarvik and find them husbands Canto XIV The palace of Sarvik Kalevipoeg and Sarvik sculpture by Amandus Adamson 1914 The 3 maidens show the Kalevide around Sarvik s palace It is an intricate and massive castle They confess that they are immortal and ever radiant but they are unhappy and have no joys in life The Kalevide tells them he will rescue them and he makes plans to wrestle with Sarvik The 2 oldest maidens switch Sarvik s magical liquors so he will be weakened when he drinks The Kalevide uses the magic hat to make himself appear smaller When Sarvik returned he demanded the Kalevide explain himself Kalevide makes his challenge and the 2 combatants wrestle viciously When they stop for a rest the Kalevide uses the hat to regain his old size and strength and bashes Sarvik into the ground The Kalevide and the maidens flee from Sarvik s palace The Kalevide burns the magic hat much to the distress of the maidens Canto XV The marriage of the sisters The maidens and the Kalevide are chased by demons The youngest maiden uses the magic rod to create a torrent of water and a bridge to take them to safety Tuhi questions the Kalevide about his visit to Porgu and his fight with Sarvik the Kalevide answers sarcastically The maidens are married to Alevide and Sulevide but the second maiden is kidnapped by a sorcerer They hunt for her kill the sorcerer and recover her she is married to their friend Olevide Canto XVI The voyage of the Kalevide The Kalevide ponders a voyage to the end of the world A great ship called Lennuk is created The Kalevide meets a Laplander called Varrak who tells him that the end of the world is not reachable He offers to take them home The Kalevide says he needs no help to return home but would be grateful if Varrak would take them to the world s end The voyage to an island of fire steam and smoke where the Sulevide gets scorched They are found by a giant child who carries them to her father The father requests that they solve his riddles for their release They are successful and the daughter takes them to their boat and blows them out to sea The group carries on in its journey north They witness the northern lights and eventually come to an island of dog men After some troubles peace is made with the dog men and the leader of them tells the Kalevide that he has wasted his time The Kalevide finally decides to go home Canto XVII The heroes and the dwarf Magnificent fortified cities have been built by Olevide Alevide and the Sulevide have also built fine cities The Kalevide names Olevide s city after his mother Lindanisa modern day Tallinn News of a great invasion force reaches the Kalevide and he sets of to fight in a long pitched battle during which he loses his horse in the sheer depth of gore created during the battle After the battle is over and the spoils handed out the Kalevide and his friends set out to find further invaders They come across an old woman cooking and settle down for the night During the night a dwarf appears and asks each of the heroes if he can take a sip from the pot of soup the old woman was cooking All but the Kalevide allow him to and he proceeds to drink the whole pot grow to the sky then vanish After the dwarf has appeared to all of the heroes the daughters of the Meadow Queen dance and sing and tell the tale of adventures still to come to the Kalevide Canto XVIII The Kalevide s journey to Porgu Hell The Kalevide wakes in the night and finds the gates to Porgu He enters and proceeds into the depths of hell itself aided by creatures along the way The Kalevide comes across a large iron bridge and the huge army of Sarvik He battles hard and eventually gets over the bridge to the palace of Sarvik He beats his way in and is greeted by a vision of his mother and Sarvik s mother Canto XIX The last feast of the heroes Kalevipoeg Destroying Webs on His Way to Hell ca 1935 Kristjan Raud The Kalevide and Sarvik have a lengthy wrestling match in which the Kalevide prevails He binds Sarvik heavily with chains takes a small treasure and leaves for the world of men The Kalevide and his friends have a meal of ox which the Alevide was able to kill The Kalevide and his friends return to Lindanisa and a great feast and drinking bout begins Many songs are sung and much joy is in the air There is news of yet another invasion from all sides of the country by many enemies Varrak departs for Lapland taking with him a book of wisdom given to him by the Kalevide much to the dismay of the Olevide and Sulevide Many refugees arrive with news of the impending battles The Kalevide consults his Father s grave but no answer comes Canto XX Armageddon The Kalevide and his friends prepare for war The Kalevide buries his treasure and protects it with incantations to Taara The Kalevide and his friends engage in a fierce battle which lasts many days and in which the Kalevide loses his horse and the Sulevide is badly injured The Sulevide eventually dies Olevide builds a large bridge over the river Vohandu and the army proceeds over to engage the remaining enemy The battle rages hard for many days until the heroes are exhausted and decide to take a drink The Alevide slips and falls into the lake and drowns The Kalevide is so grief stricken he abdicates and places his kingdom in the hands of Olevide The Kalevide leaves for a peaceful life on the banks of the river Koiva He does not get the peace he desires and is annoyed by many visitors some aggressive He wanders around the country annoyed by these intrusions and makes his way to Lake Peipus He wades into Kaapa the brook where his old sword lay and the sword keeps its promise to cut off the feet of anyone who dares wade in the brook Unfortunately the Kalevide had forgotten this promise and his feet are cut off The Kalevide dies and is taken to heaven However he is deemed too valuable and is reanimated in his old body to stand guard for eternity at the gates of Porgu to keep watch on Sarvik and his demons He is there still tied to the gates of Porgu by his hand which is locked in a rock Comparative mythology EditThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed December 2008 Learn how and when to remove this template message The amputation of the legs of Kalevide by a magical sword is similar to the Hurrian mythic theme of the amputation of the feet of Ullikummi by a supernatural knife According to Eustathius ad Hor check spelling the Telkhin es were likewise beings without feet Influences EditKalevipoeg has been referenced in both official contexts and in popular culture The Estonian Declaration of Independence begins with a passage that quotes a god in Canto XX right after the death of the protagonist Kalevipoeg In the course of centuries never have the Estonian people lost their desire for independence From generation to generation have they kept alive the hidden hope that in spite of enslavement and oppression by hostile invaders the time will come to Estonia when all splints at both end will burst forth into flames and when Kalev will come home to bring his children happiness Now that time has arrived citation needed Editions EditThe Hero of Estonia And other studies in the romantic literature of that country William Forsell Kirby 1895 Kalevipoeg An Ancient Estonian Tale Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald Trans Juri Kurman ISBN 0 918542 02 2 1982 Kalevipoeg the Estonian National Epic Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald Trans Triinu Kartus Estonian Literary Museum 2011 5 Further reading EditCornelius Hasselblatt Kalevipoeg Studies The Creation and Reception of an Epic Helsinki Finnish Literature Society SKS 2016 Studia Fennica Folkloristica 21 1 Guntis Smidchens 2007 National Heroic Narratives in the Baltics as a Source for Nonviolent Political Action Slavic Review 66 3 484 508 doi 10 2307 20060298 JSTOR 20060298 See also Edit Estonia portalToell the Great Kalevala Estonian mythology Lacplesis Latvian national epicReferences Edit Honko Lauri 1990 Religion myth and folklore in the world s epics the Kalevala and its predecessors Walter de Gruyter p 266 ISBN 978 3 11 012253 4 Widsith Anglosaksinen muinaisruno Authors Osmo Pekonen and Clive Tolley Published in Jyvaskyla Finland by Minerva in 2004 ISBN 952 5478 66 1 European Literary Characters Kalevipoeg European Literary Characters Retrieved April 8 2020 Oinas Felix 1997 Studies in Finnic Folklore Routledge p 69 ISBN 978 0 7007 0947 2 Rikken Kristopher 13 October 2011 Kalevipoeg Marks 150 Years with New English Translation ERR News Estonian Public Broadcasting Retrieved 20 September 2019 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kalevipoeg The English version translated by W F Kirby at Project Gutenberg Kalevipoeg as well as other Estonian folk tales The English version translated by W F Kirby at Sacred Texts Kalevipoeg as well as other Estonian folk tales Kalevipoeg An article exploring the meaning and depth of the Kalevipoeg An article on the compilers of the Kalevipoeg A site containing the five initial Cantos of Kalevipoeg in Estonian Digital images of first printing at EEVA A short film version of the myth by Estonian director Ekke Vasli Kalevipoeg Encyclopedia Americana 1920 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kalevipoeg amp oldid 1125394010, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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