The French Connection, or Þórr versus the Golem

This article investigates the extent to which Jewish exegetical and magical traditions were known in medieval Scandinavia. Particular attention is paid to the mythological work, Snorra Edda (ca. 1220), and the prose narrative Þorleifs þáttr jarlsskálds (ca. 1300). In Snorra Edda, we encounter the ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Cole, Richard (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2014
In: Medieval encounters
Year: 2014, Volume: 20, Issue: 3, Pages: 238-260
Further subjects:B Old Norse Scandinavia runes Snorra Edda golem Jewish magic Sefer Toledot Yešu St. Victor
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Summary:This article investigates the extent to which Jewish exegetical and magical traditions were known in medieval Scandinavia. Particular attention is paid to the mythological work, Snorra Edda (ca. 1220), and the prose narrative Þorleifs þáttr jarlsskálds (ca. 1300). In Snorra Edda, we encounter the character of Mǫkkurkálfi, a clay giant who has been magically animated to defend the race of giants against the god Thor (Þórr). In Þorleifs þáttr jarlsskálds, a similarly animated “trémaðr” (“wooden man”) is sent on an assassination mission to dispatch a troublesome poet. Both these figures are considered in light of various traditions pertaining to the golem. Possible routes of transmission between the Jewish and Scandinavian worlds are considered to explain these similarities, with a special focus on Norwegian students at the Abbey of St. Victor.
ISSN:1570-0674
Contains:In: Medieval encounters
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15700674-12342171