Hymiskviða
Translations
in English
Old Norse Poetry
I
Overview of Hymiskviða
Hymiskviða (“The Lay of Hymir”) is a poem that tells of the god Thor and his journey to the hall of the giant Hymir in search of a great cauldron to brew ale for the gods. Accompanied by Týr, Thor travels to Jötunheimr (“Giants’-Home”), where they must contend with Hymir’s immense strength.
The poem combines elements of mythic adventure and humor, as Thor proves his might through feats such as breaking a giant goblet and venturing out to sea with Hymir, where he attempts to catch the Midgard Serpent. Tension arises between the gods and the giant, but Thor ultimately secures the cauldron by force.
Hymiskviða is part of the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems preserved primarily in the medieval Icelandic manuscript known as the Codex Regius.
Themes of Hymiskviða
- Adventure and heroic quest
- Comedic storytelling
- Conflict between gods and giants
II
Read Hymiskviða in English
Hymiskviða has been translated into English many times, with each version reflecting different priorities. Some aim for close, literal accuracy, while others focus more on poetic style and readability.
No single translation captures every aspect of the original, and each brings its own perspective and emphasis. Reading more than one version can therefore provide a broader understanding of the poem.
Hymiskviða -
Modern English Translation (in the works.)
— a clear and accessible modern rendering.
Hymiskviþa - The Lay of Hymir
English Translation (1928) by Lee M. Hollander
— scholarly translation balancing accuracy and poetic form.
Hymiskvitha - The Lay of Hymir
English Translation (1923) by Henry Adams Bellows
— one of the most widely read modern editions.
Hymiskviþa - The Lay of Hymir
English Translation (1908) by Olive Bray.
— a classic early 20th-century translation with literary style.
Hymiskviða - The Lay of Hymir
English Translation (1866) by Benjamin Thorpe.
— one of the earliest English translations of the Poetic Edda.
Keep Exploring
Other Old Norse Poems
Explore other poems from the Poetic Edda and the wider Old Norse corpus.
