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Lecture: "Reflexivity in eddic kennings: opening up mythological space in dialogic exchange"

Faculty of Humanities invites you to the lecture "Reflexivity in eddic kennings: opening up mythological space in dialogic exchange" by

Judy Quinn (University of Cambridge).

Abstract: In this presentation, I will survey the use of kennings (poetic circumlocutions for nouns) in the poetry of the Codex Regius anthology (GkS 2365 4o), comparing their character and use to the kennings of skaldic poetry. Whereas in skaldic poetry, these riddling expressions are often deployed as substitutes for nouns, in eddic verse they also serve to elaborate the meaning of nouns, standing in apposition to their referent. Often they are used reflexively by speakers in eddic dialogues to open up the field of reference in order to trigger complex mythological associations.

Dr Judy Quinn - teaching and research interests: Old Norse eddic and skaldic poetry; the valkyrie in Old Norse poetry; Old Norse saga literature; orality and literacy in medieval Scandinavia; theory and praxis in the editing of Old Norse texts.