Helgakviða Hundingsbana II - A Reading

Helgakviða Hundingsbana II (The Second Lay of Helgi Hundingsbane) | Also known as Völsungakviða in forna | The Poetic Edda
Translated by Henry A. Bellows | Recorded by Folkbuilder Nicholas Rice

Helgakviða Hundingsbana II continues the saga of Helgi Hundingsbane, a legendary Norse hero. The narrative is presented as a dialogue between the valkyrie Sigrún and an aged woman who reveals Helgi's tragic fate.

The poem begins with Sigrún grieving Helgi's death, expressing her sorrow at the loss of her beloved. The aged woman, who is revealed to be the valkyrie Kara, shares her knowledge of Helgi's afterlife. She recounts how Helgi, after his death, was taken to Valhalla by Odin's maidens and now resides in the splendid hall of the slain heroes.

Helgi's posthumous adventures are narrated, depicting his continued heroic feats in the afterlife. The poem highlights the notion of an eternal warrior's existence in Valhalla, engaging in battles and preparing for the eventual conflict at Ragnarök.

The narrative then shifts to Sigrún's encounter with a reanimated Helgi, who returns to the mortal realm to visit her. Sigrún, overjoyed at Helgi's return, questions him about the nature of life after death. Helgi, however, reveals that their reunion is temporary, as he is destined to return to the afterlife. Sigrún laments the fleeting nature of their time together.

Helgakviða Hundingsbana II explores themes of love, death, and the heroic afterlife. The poem reflects the Norse conception of an afterlife reserved for brave warriors who die in battle, as exemplified by Helgi's presence in Valhalla. The fleeting reunion between Helgi and Sigrún underscores the transitory nature of mortal joy and the inevitability of the hero's eternal destiny.

The narrative also touches upon the cyclical nature of existence, as Helgi continues to play a role in the cosmic battles leading up to Ragnarök. This cyclical theme aligns with the Norse belief in the recurring cycles of creation, destruction, and rebirth.

Helgakviða Hundingsbana II is a poignant continuation of the saga of Helgi Hundingsbane, exploring themes of love, mortality, and the hero's eternal destiny in Valhalla. The poem provides insights into the Norse understanding of the afterlife and the cyclical nature of heroic existence within the context of their mythological tradition.

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