Lessons - Tests

Lesson 5 - Tests and Reading

Comprehension Test

1. By what name is Rig better known?
2. How does Thor trick the dwarf Alvis?
3. What two characteristics of the god Odin are witnessed in Vathrudnismal?
4. How does Skirnir finally persuade Gerd to accept Frey?
5. In what two ways are runes invoked magically?
6. Disguised as whom does Thor visit the giant Thrym?
7. Who tricks Odin into killing Geirrod?
8. From whose blood did the oceans come?
9. What were the names of the first man and woman?
10. Why do Thor and Tyr go to visit the giant Hymir?

Further Exercises

1. Closely compare these two translations. Which one do you prefer? What do you feel is the main difference in the style and language of these two translations and what effect does it have? What in your view is the difference in the effect of the translation produced by the way in which the first two lines of the second verse are ordered?

   Net: Lee M Hollander	Carolyne Larrington - Set book
   Up grew Earl within the hall, gan bucklers wield and the bowstring fasten, gan the elmwood bend and arrows shaft; gan hurl the spear and speed the lance, gan hunt with hounds, and horses ride, gan brandish swords and swim in the sea.	Lord grew up there in the hall; he began to brandish shields, fit bow-strings, bend the elmbow, shape arrows hurl javelins, throw French spears, ride horses, hunt with hounds wield a spear, practice swimming
   Out of woodlands came Rig walking, came Rig walking, and taught him runes; his own name gave him as heir and son, bade him make his own the udal lands, the udal lands and olden manors.	Then came Rig walking, walking out of the thicket, taught him runes gave him a name, said he was his son then he told him to get ancestral property to get ancestral property, a long-established settlement

Reading

Either in the Carolyne Larrington translation, or that available on the net at Woden's Harrow, read both Voluspa and the Havamal

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Lesson 5 - Test Answers

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