The Norwegian Rune Poem in context: structure, style and imagery

Abstract

The Norwegian Rune Poem has often been evaluated negatively because of an overall impression of a lack of coherence and cohesion. Analysis of the poem against the background of wisdom tradition has allowed a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in its composition. The article considers the poem in parallel with Sólarljóð and Málsháttakvæði – two poetic works deriving from the same cultural context – and aims to further analise the poem’s structure and illuminate aspects of its imagery.