Norse Myth: The Mead of Poetry Quiz

Answer: He was formed from the spit of the gods

Kvasir was a direct outcome of the war between the Aesir and the Vanir - the two races of warring gods. To learn more about this conflict, please play my quiz, "Norse Myth: Warring Gods". The gods all spat into a jar and Kvasir was formed from their spittle. He was said to be the wisest of them all and he answered questions wherever he went.

Answer: Dwarves

It was a well known fact that dwarves could not appreciate the riches or goodness of others without desiring it for themselves. As Kvasir went from town to town, all stopped to praise him and ask him questions. He answered all questions about the creation of the universe with simple facts.

When asked his opinion, he did not give a direct answer, but instead usually answered with a question of his own, causing the asker to think for themselves and come to an informed decision.

Answer: He was stabbed

It is said that Kvasir did not care for the conversation of the dwarves at the table, as they only spoke of revenge and lust for riches. Kvasir only accepted their invitation to dinner because he did not want to appear rude.

Leading Kvasir to believe that they had a question to ask, the brothers led him deeper into the cave, where he was stabbed repeatedly until dead.

Answer: Honey

Mead, which is made by the fermentation of honey, is a common feature of Norse mythology. To learn more about mead, honey and bees in mythology, feel free to play my quiz, "Stinging Tales From Around the Globe".

The blood of Kvasir was collected in two jars called Son and Bodn and a large cauldron called Odrorir. The mead was formed and it was said that whoever drank from it would become immediately wise. The two brothers now had what they desired, and they kept it a secret in case any others tried to take it from them.

Answer: He was drowned

The dwarf brothers tricked Gilling into getting into a boat, which they rowed into the middle of a lake, purposefully capsized and drowned the giant, who was not able to swim. The brothers then rowed back to their cave and told Gilling's wife of the "accident". However, the sobbing of the giantess annoyed the brothers, who then killed her by dropping a large stone on her head.

Answer: Gilling's son

Travelling from Jotunheim, Suttung arrived at the dwarves' cave in search of his parents. Knowing the evil and spite of the brothers, Suttung seized them and placed them on an island in a lake, far away from the coast. He told them that when the tide rose they would drown.

In order to escape their deaths, Fjalar and Galar offered their most precious belonging - the Mead of Poetry. Suttung agreed and spared their lives.

Answer: Odin

Since creation, the gods had warred with the giants. The giants were violent, rude and imposing, and the gods could not stand any challenge to their power and tried all they could to keep the giants at bay. Knowing that the Mead of Poetry now dwelt in Jotunheim (the home of the giants), the father of the gods, Odin, felt obliged to retrieve it.

Answer: He worked in Baugi's fields

Odin, disguised as Bolverk, approached a group of workers who were working with their scythes in Baugi's fields. Odin offered to sharpen their scythes, and the workers enthusiastically accepted. Before leaving, Odin threw the valuable hone into the middle of the group of workers.

The workers fought for the hone violently and eventually none were left alive. Baugi was therefore in need of workers and Odin (Bolverk) offered his services.

Answer: An eagle

Suttung, as Baugi predicted, did not allow Odin to taste any of his mead. Odin refused to take no for an answer, which seemed to irritate the giant Baugi, who planned to kill Odin the first chance he got. After a hole was bored into the mountain where the mead was kept, Baugi tried to stab Odin, but could not as the god had transformed into a snake and had wriggled deep into the hole.

Swallowing the mead, Odin then flew rapidly back to Asgard, whilst being chased by Suttung (also in the form of an eagle). Odin, on approaching, spat the mead into pre-prepared containers laid out by the other gods. However, he accidentally let some spill into Midgard, thus allowing some men the gift of poetry.

Answer: Bragi

Because Gunnlod was required by her father to stay with the three vessels of mead and to guard it night and day, she had no contact with the outside world, and became immediately besotted with Bolverk, especially after he revealed his true form - Odin. Odin stayed with her for three nights and on the fourth he left her to return to Asgard.

Their son, Bragi, was to become god of poetry and the husband of Idun (the subject of my next quiz). Bragi was born in the mountain and stayed with Gunnlod until he was old enough to go to Asgard.