Mímir
Mímir or Mim is a figure in Norse mythology, renowned for his knowledge and wisdom, who is beheaded during the Æsir–Vanir War. Afterward, the god Odin carries around Mímir's head and it recites secret knowledge and counsel to him.
Mímir is attested in the
Etymology
The proper names Mímir and Mim present difficulties for historical linguists. However, the most generally accepted etymology among philologists is that Mímir stems from a reduplication of the Proto-Indo-European verb *(s)mer-, meaning 'to think, recall, reflect, worry over' (compare Sanskrit smárati, Avestan hi-šmaraiti, Ancient Greek mermaírō, Gothic maúrnan).[1]
In turn, scholars note that the names Mímir and Mim are therefore likely ultimately to be related to the modern English word 'memory' and its associated concepts.[1] For example, scholar Rudolf Simek renders the name as meaning 'the rememberer, the wise one'.[2]
Attestations
Poetic Edda
Mímir is mentioned in the
Prose Edda
In chapter 15 of the .
Chapter 51 relates that, with the onset of Ragnarök, "Heimdall stands up and blows the Gjallarhorn with all his strength. He wakens all the gods who then hold an assembly. Odin now rides to Mimir's Well, seeking council for both himself and his followers. The ash Yggdrasil shakes, and nothing, whether in heaven or on earth, is without fear."[5]
In the Prose Edda book Skáldskaparmál, Mímir's name appears in various kennings. These kennings include "Mím's friend" (for "Odin") in three places, "mischief-Mímir" (a kenning for "jötunn"),[6] and among a list of names for jötunn.[7]
Heimskringla
Mímir is mentioned in chapters 4 and 7 of the saga
Snorri continues that, upon arrival in Vanaheimr, Hœnir was immediately made chief and Mímir often gave him good counsel. However, when Hœnir was at meetings and at the
Theories
On the basis of Hávamál 140 – where Odin learns nine magic songs from the unnamed brother of his mother Bestla – some scholars have theorized that Bestla's brother may in fact be Mímir, who would then be Odin's maternal uncle. This also means that Mimir's father would be Bölþorn.[10]
In the theories of Viktor Rydberg, Mímir's wife is
In popular culture
Mímir features in Santa Monica Studio's 2018 action-adventure video game God of War and its 2022 sequel God of War Ragnarök.[12] He is voiced by Scottish actor Alastair Duncan in both entries.[13]
See also
- Mimir (sculpture), a 1980 bronze and concrete sculpture in Portland, Oregon
- Nine Herbs Charm, an Anglo-Saxon charm featuring Woden and herbs.
- Brazen head
References
- ^ a b Lincoln (1991: 54–55).
- ^ Simek (2007:216).
- ^ Larrington (1999:7).
- ^ Larrington (1999:265).
- ^ Byock (2006:72).
- ^ Faulkes (1995:84).
- ^ Faulkes (1995:155).
- ^ a b c Hollander (2007:8).
- ^ Hollander (2007:11).
- ^ Examples include Rydberg (1886:176), Bellows (1923:92) and Puhvel (1989:212).
- ^ Rydberg (2003:196).
- ^ "How God of War Ragnarök's characters compare to actual Norse myth". Polygon. 7 November 2022. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- ^ "God of War Ragnarok Cast: Every Character and Voice Actor". denofgeek. 8 November 2022. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
Sources
- The Prose Edda. Translated by Byock, Jesse. ISBN 0-14-044755-5.
- Edda. Translated by Faulkes, Anthony. ISBN 0-460-87616-3.
- The Poetic Edda. Translated by Larrington, Carolyne. ISBN 0-19-283946-2.
- ISBN 978-0-292-73061-8. Archivedfrom the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- Lincoln, Bruce (1991). Death, War, and Sacrifice: Studies in ideology & practice. ISBN 9780226482002.
- Simek, Rudolf (2007). Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Translated by Hall, Angela. ISBN 978-0-85991-513-7.