Lokasenna
Translations
in English
Old Norse Poetry
I
Overview of Lokasenna
Lokasenna (“Loki’s Taunts”) centers on the trickster god Loki, who engages in a heated exchange of insults with the other gods during a feast.
The poem is structured as a dramatic dialogue, taking place in the hall of the sea-giant Ægir, where many of the Æsir have gathered. After being initially driven away, Loki returns and proceeds to accuse the gods and goddesses of moral failings, cowardice, and hypocrisy. These exchanges, combine sharp wit with satire, revealing tensions and darker aspects within the divine community.
The poem is part of the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems preserved in medieval Icelandic manuscripts, most notably the Codex Regius. Unlike more heroic or wisdom focused poems, Lokasenna stands out for its confrontational tone, which offers insight into Norse mythological narratives through Loki’s insults of the other gods.
Themes of Lokasenna
- Moral transgression and hypocrisy
- Honor, reputation, and shame
- Conflict and insults
- Public humiliation and social tension
II
Read Lokasenna in English
Lokasenna has been translated into English numerous times, each version reflecting different priorities and interpretive choices, from early scholarly renderings to more modern and accessible translations.
Because every translator brings their own perspective and emphasis, no single edition can fully capture all aspects of the original. Reading and comparing multiple translations and their accompanying notes, can provide more balanced and nuanced understanding of the poem. For this reason, several versions are presented here.
English translations of Lokasenna vary widely in style and approach. Some aim for close, literal accuracy and retain features of the Old Norse structure, while others prioritize clarity and readability in contemporary English. Earlier translations, such as those by Bellows and Hollander, often reflect the scholarly conventions of their time, whereas more recent translations tend to be more direct and accessible.
Readers approaching the poem for the first time may prefer a modern rendering, while those interested in a more traditional or poetic style may benefit from exploring the public domain translations included below.
Lokasenna - Loki's Taunts
We Vikings’ Modern English Translation (in the works.)
— a clear and accessible modern rendering.
Lokasenna - The Flyting Of Loki
English Translation (1928) by Lee M. Hollander
— scholarly translation balancing accuracy and poetic form.
Lokasenna - Loki's Wrangling
English Translation (1923) by Henry Adams Bellows
— one of the most widely read modern editions.
Lokasenna - Loki's Mocking
English Translation (1908) by Olive Bray.
— a classic early 20th-century translation with literary style.
Lokasenna - Loki's Quarrel
English Translation (1865) 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.
