The Norse Myths Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 4, Lord of the Gallows; Chapter 5, The Song of Rig; Chapter 6, The Mead of Poetry Summary

Chapter 4, Lord of the Gallows; Chapter 5, The Song of Rig; Chapter 6, The Mead of Poetry Summary and Analysis

Yggdrasil shelters all creation but is constantly under attack. From below the world serpent Nidhogg gnaws the trees roots. Deer eat at the shoots and bark. Under the third root which stretches into Jotunheim is the spring of Mimir who dispenses wisdom. Odin gives an eye to gain knowledge from Mimir's spring. Odin then hangs himself from Yggdrasil for nine days in order to gain greater wisdom. Odin learns the power of the runes and eighteen charms to aid in battle, find love, and raise the dead.

Heimdall comes to Midgard disguised as Rig and visits the home of Ai and Edda. He stays for three nights sleeping in between the couple each night. Nine months later Edda gives birth to a son named Thrall. Thrall is ugly and deformed but strong. Thrall falls in love with Thir the Drudge who is equally deformed and ugly. The couple marry...
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