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Study Guide: Hrafnsmál: An Analysis of the Old Norse Skaldic Poem

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Hrafnsmál: An Analysis of the Old Norse Skaldic Poem Study Guide

Core Characteristics and Content

Þorbjörn Hornklofi, a 9th-century Norwegian skald, is widely accepted as the author of Hrafnsmál.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 9th-century Norwegian skald Þorbjörn Hornklofi is generally accepted as the author of Hrafnsmál.

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The central narrative of Hrafnsmál involves a dialogue between King Harald Fairhair and a wise raven.

Answer: False

Explanation: The poem's central narrative is a dialogue between an unnamed valkyrie and a raven, not King Harald Fairhair.

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The life and martial deeds of Harald Fairhair are the primary subject of discussion within Hrafnsmál.

Answer: True

Explanation: The dialogue between the valkyrie and the raven centers on the life and martial deeds of King Harald Fairhair.

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The dominant poetic meter in Hrafnsmál is Ljóðaháttr, with minor sections in Málaháttr.

Answer: False

Explanation: The dominant poetic meter in Hrafnsmál is Málaháttr, with smaller sections composed in Ljóðaháttr and Fornyrðislag.

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Hrafnsmál is commonly described as a praise poem, and its style closely resembles Eddic poems.

Answer: True

Explanation: While categorized as a praise poem, Hrafnsmál's style bears a strong resemblance to that of Eddic poetry.

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Some scholars suggest that Hrafnsmál and the Eddic poem Völuspá might share the same author due to stylistic similarities.

Answer: False

Explanation: Due to stylistic similarities, some scholars suggest Hrafnsmál may share an author with Atlakviða, not Völuspá.

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Hrafnsmál specifically discusses Harald Fairhair's diplomatic achievements and peaceful unification efforts.

Answer: False

Explanation: The poem focuses on Harald Fairhair's martial deeds and military prowess, not his diplomatic achievements.

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Harald Fairhair is a historical king traditionally credited with unifying Denmark during the Viking Age.

Answer: False

Explanation: Harald Fairhair is the historical king traditionally credited with the unification of Norway, not Denmark.

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Who is generally accepted as the author of Hrafnsmál?

Answer: Þorbjörn Hornklofi

Explanation: The poem is generally attributed to Þorbjörn Hornklofi, a Norwegian skald who was active in the 9th century.

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The central narrative of Hrafnsmál primarily features a conversation between which two characters?

Answer: An unnamed valkyrie and a raven

Explanation: The poem's narrative framework is a conversation between an unnamed valkyrie and a raven, who discuss the deeds of King Harald Fairhair.

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What historical figure's deeds are the primary subject of discussion in Hrafnsmál?

Answer: Harald Fairhair, King of Norway

Explanation: The primary subject of the poem is the life and martial deeds of Harald Fairhair, the king credited with unifying Norway.

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Which of the following poetic meters is NOT mentioned as being used in Hrafnsmál?

Answer: Dróttkvætt

Explanation: The poem is composed in Málaháttr, Ljóðaháttr, and Fornyrðislag. Dróttkvætt, another form of skaldic meter, is not mentioned as being used.

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Although commonly described as a praise poem, Hrafnsmál's stylistic characteristics bear a stronger resemblance to which other genre of Old Norse poetry?

Answer: Eddic poems

Explanation: Although it is a praise poem, Hrafnsmál's stylistic characteristics are noted to bear a stronger resemblance to the narrative and mythological Eddic poems.

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Which ancient Eddic poem is suggested to share a common author with Hrafnsmál due to stylistic similarities?

Answer: Atlakviða

Explanation: The stylistic resemblance between Hrafnsmál and Atlakviða is so strong that some scholars have proposed they were composed by the same author.

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What specific type of deeds of Harald Fairhair are discussed in Hrafnsmál?

Answer: His martial deeds

Explanation: The poem's dialogue specifically focuses on the martial deeds of Harald Fairhair, detailing his actions and achievements in battle.

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Nomenclature and Scholarly Interpretation

Hrafnsmál is primarily classified as an Eddic poem, and its name translates to 'Harald's poem'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Hrafnsmál is classified as a skaldic poem, not an Eddic poem, and its name translates to 'raven song'. Its alternative name, Haraldskvæði, means 'Harald's poem'.

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Hrafnsmál is sometimes referred to as 'Raven's Lament' due to its somber themes of battle and loss.

Answer: False

Explanation: The name Hrafnsmál translates to 'raven song', not 'Raven's Lament'. An alternative name is Haraldskvæði ('Harald's poem').

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Scholarly consensus definitively states that Hrafnsmál is a single, unified composition.

Answer: False

Explanation: Scholarly consensus remains indecisive regarding whether Hrafnsmál is a single, unified work or a combination of separate pieces.

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The Old Norse pronunciation for Hrafnsmál is provided as [ˈhrɑvnsˌmɑːl].

Answer: True

Explanation: The provided Old Norse pronunciation for Hrafnsmál is indeed [ˈhrɑvnsˌmɑːl].

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The term 'fragmentary' indicates that Hrafnsmál is a collection of unrelated poetic verses.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term 'fragmentary' signifies that the poem has not survived in its complete form, and only portions of the original work are extant.

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What is the primary classification of Hrafnsmál and the meaning of its Old Norse name?

Answer: A skaldic poem, meaning 'raven song'

Explanation: Hrafnsmál is classified as a skaldic poem, a form of Old Norse poetry composed by court poets. Its name translates from Old Norse as 'raven song'.

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By what alternative name is Hrafnsmál sometimes known, and what does it signify?

Answer: Haraldskvæði, highlighting its focus on King Harald Fairhair

Explanation: The poem is also known as Haraldskvæði, which translates to 'Harald's poem', directly referencing its central subject.

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What is the scholarly consensus regarding Hrafnsmál as a unified composition?

Answer: Scholarly consensus remains indecisive on its unified nature.

Explanation: Despite consistency in meter and dating, scholars have not reached a definitive consensus on whether Hrafnsmál is a single, unified work or a compilation of separate pieces.

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What does the term 'fragmentary' imply about the current state of the Hrafnsmál poem?

Answer: Only portions or fragments of the original poem have survived.

Explanation: The term 'fragmentary' indicates that the poem is incomplete, with only parts of the original composition having been preserved and transmitted to the present day.

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What is the Old Norse pronunciation provided for Haraldskvæði?

Answer: [ˈhɑrɑldsˌkwɛːðe]

Explanation: The phonetic transcription for the Old Norse pronunciation of Haraldskvæði is provided as [ˈhɑrɑldsˌkwɛːðe].

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Historical Translations and Editions

George Borrow's 1862 English translation of Hrafnsmál was titled 'The Raven's Tale'.

Answer: False

Explanation: George Borrow's 1862 English translation of the poem was titled 'Harald Harfagr'.

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George Borrow's translation of Hrafnsmál was published in 'Once A Week' by Bradbury & Evans in London.

Answer: True

Explanation: The translation appeared in 'Once A Week: An Illustrated Miscellany of Literature, Art, Science & Popular Information', published by Bradbury & Evans in London.

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An illustration by Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys was a notable feature of George Borrow's 1862 translation.

Answer: True

Explanation: Borrow's 1862 translation was notably accompanied by an illustration from Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys.

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Nora Kershaw's 1922 collection, 'Anglo-Saxon and Norse Poems', included Hrafnsmál and was published by Oxford University Press.

Answer: False

Explanation: Nora Kershaw's 1922 collection, 'Anglo-Saxon and Norse Poems', which included Hrafnsmál, was published by Cambridge at the University Press.

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Lee Milton Hollander's 1980 collection focused on all significant Old Norse verse, including those already in the Poetic Edda.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lee Milton Hollander's 1980 collection specifically focused on significant Old Norse poems that were not included in the Poetic Edda.

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R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of the poem was titled 'Haraldskvæði (Hrafnsmál)' and edited by Diana Whaley.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 2012 edition by R. D. Fulk is titled 'Þorbjörn hornklofi, Haraldskvæði (Hrafnsmál)' and was edited by Diana Whaley.

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R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of Hrafnsmál was published in Volume 2 of the 'Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages' series.

Answer: False

Explanation: R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of Hrafnsmál was published in Volume 1 of the 'Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages' series.

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What was the title of George Borrow's 1862 English translation of Hrafnsmál?

Answer: Harald Harfagr

Explanation: George Borrow's 1862 English translation of Hrafnsmál was titled 'Harald Harfagr', another name for Harald Fairhair.

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In what publication did George Borrow's 1862 translation of Hrafnsmál appear?

Answer: Once A Week: An Illustrated Miscellany of Literature, Art, Science & Popular Information

Explanation: Borrow's translation was published in the London-based periodical 'Once A Week' in 1862.

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Who was the illustrator for George Borrow's 1862 translation of Hrafnsmál?

Answer: Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys

Explanation: The 1862 publication of Borrow's translation was accompanied by an illustration by Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys.

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Nora Kershaw's 1922 collection that included Hrafnsmál was titled:

Answer: Anglo-Saxon and Norse Poems

Explanation: Nora Kershaw included Hrafnsmál in her 1922 scholarly collection titled 'Anglo-Saxon and Norse Poems'.

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What was the specific focus of Lee Milton Hollander's 1980 collection, 'Old Norse Poems', that included Hrafnsmál?

Answer: To present significant Old Norse poems not included in the Poetic Edda.

Explanation: Hollander's collection, 'Old Norse Poems: The Most Important Nonskaldic Verse Not Included in the Poetic Edda', aimed to compile important works outside the canonical Poetic Edda.

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Who edited R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of 'Þorbjörn hornklofi, Haraldskvæði (Hrafnsmál)'?

Answer: Diana Whaley

Explanation: The 2012 edition of the poem by R. D. Fulk was edited by fellow scholar Diana Whaley.

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In which academic series and volume was R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of Hrafnsmál published?

Answer: 'Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages', Volume 1

Explanation: Fulk's edition was published in the first volume of the comprehensive academic series 'Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages'.

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Cultural Context and Modern Adaptations

Stanzas from Hrafnsmál were adapted into a song for the video game 'God of War' by Einar Selvik.

Answer: False

Explanation: Stanzas from Hrafnsmál were reworked by Einar Selvik for the video game 'Assassin's Creed Valhalla', not 'God of War'.

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The Hrafnsmál article features a 19th-century wood-engraving depicting a valkyrie and a raven, created by Joseph Swain after Frederick Sandys.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material features an 1862 wood-engraving by Joseph Swain, after a design by Frederick Sandys, which depicts a valkyrie speaking with a raven.

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Valravn is a figure from 19th-century Danish folk songs, known as a 'raven of the slain', reinforcing themes found in Hrafnsmál.

Answer: True

Explanation: Valravn, a supernatural 'raven of the slain' from 19th-century Danish folk songs, is thematically related to the poem.

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In which modern video game were stanzas from Hrafnsmál reworked into a song by Einar Selvik?

Answer: Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Explanation: Musician Einar Selvik reworked stanzas from the poem into a song for the soundtrack of the video game 'Assassin's Creed Valhalla'.

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What is the mythological significance of Huginn and Muninn, as referenced in the context of Hrafnsmál?

Answer: They are the two ravens of the god Odin, associated with knowledge and thought.

Explanation: Huginn and Muninn are the mythological ravens of the god Odin, representing thought and memory, and their inclusion highlights the cultural significance of ravens in Norse tradition.

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What is Valravn, as mentioned in the 'See also' section?

Answer: A supernatural 'raven of the slain' in Danish folk songs.

Explanation: Valravn is a figure from 19th-century Danish folklore, a supernatural 'raven of the slain', which connects to the poem's themes of battle and ravens.

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Bibliographic and Reference Data

The ISBN for Lee Milton Hollander's 1980 book is 978-2-503-51896-1.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ISBN for Lee Milton Hollander's 1980 book is 1-60506-715-6. The ISBN 978-2-503-51896-1 belongs to R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition.

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R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of Hrafnsmál was published by Brepols in Turnhout.

Answer: True

Explanation: The academic publisher Brepols, located in Turnhout, published R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of the poem.

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The 'Notes' section cites page 191 for R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of Hrafnsmál.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Notes' section cites page 91, not 191, for R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition.

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Andy Orchard's book listed in the 'References' section is titled 'The Poetic Edda: A New Translation'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The referenced book by Andy Orchard is titled 'Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend'.

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Andy Orchard's 1997 book, 'Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend', was published by Cassell.

Answer: True

Explanation: The publisher for Andy Orchard's 1997 'Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend' was Cassell.

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An external link to Hrafnsmál can be found on a website dedicated to modern Norse sagas.

Answer: False

Explanation: An external link to the poem's text is provided for the website heimskringla.no, a digital library of Old Norse source material.

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What is the ISBN for Lee Milton Hollander's 1980 book, 'Old Norse Poems: The Most Important Nonskaldic Verse Not Included in the Poetic Edda'?

Answer: 1-60506-715-6

Explanation: The unique International Standard Book Number (ISBN) for Lee Milton Hollander's 1980 book is 1-60506-715-6.

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What is the ISBN for R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of 'Þorbjörn hornklofi, Haraldskvæði (Hrafnsmál)'?

Answer: 978-2-503-51896-1

Explanation: The ISBN for R. D. Fulk's 2012 scholarly edition of the poem is 978-2-503-51896-1.

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Which publisher released R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition of Hrafnsmál?

Answer: Brepols

Explanation: R. D. Fulk's 2012 edition was published by Brepols, an academic publisher based in Turnhout, Belgium.

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What is the ISBN for Andy Orchard's 1997 book, 'Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend'?

Answer: 0-304-34520-2

Explanation: The ISBN for Andy Orchard's 1997 reference work, 'Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend', is 0-304-34520-2.

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Which publisher was responsible for Andy Orchard's 1997 book, 'Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend'?

Answer: Cassell

Explanation: Andy Orchard's 1997 'Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend' was released by the publisher Cassell.

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Where can an external link to Hrafnsmál be found, according to the article?

Answer: On heimskringla.no.

Explanation: The source material provides an external link to the text of Hrafnsmál on the website heimskringla.no, a digital library of Old Norse source material.

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