Elder Edda Chapter Summary & Analysis - The Greenlandic Poem of Atli (Atlamal) Summary

The Greenlandic Poem of Atli (Atlamal) Summary

The story of the betrayal of Giuki's sons has been told for many years and is told again here. Atli is ill-advised when he sends a message for his in-laws to come visit. Gudrun tries to warn her brothers by carving some runes and sending them over the sea. However, Vingi defaces them before presenting them to Gunnar. The brothers, unaware of any treachery, welcome the visitors warmly. They happily take the gifts sent for them although they do not understand their significance.

Hogni is invited to visit Atli in the hopes that Gunnar will decide to accompany him. Hogni's wife, Kostbera, attempts to interpret the runes as she has been taught but they are hard to discern. That night Kostbera has a dream which she relates to Hogni. She says that the runes sent by Gudrun contain a warning not to make the journey. The jumbled runes seem to...
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