Eddic classics of Iceland:

'Thor goes fishing with giant hymir'

by W.T.J.S.Kaviratne - Ambalangoda Spl Cor.

Eddic classics of Icelandic Literature symbolically portray the geological phenomena of Viking Age Iceland where Norwegian explorers settled.

Iceland came into existence as a result of a series of volcanic eruptions which took place around 20 million years ago and geologists said that Iceland comprised raw energy, bubbling mud pools, hot springs, dormant volcanoes, permafrost mountains and glaciers awaiting to release their energy.

In an era when there was peace and reconciliation among the gods in their realm of Asgard and Giants dwelt in Jotunheim many feasts had been held.

Aegir, the Ocean Giant was among the guests from Jotunheim who took part in feasts held by the gods and goddesses in Asgard.

Hospitality

At the closing time of one of the feasts in Asgard, Thor shouted at the Giant Aegir inquiring in a very rude manner when he was going to return the hospitality enjoyed by him in Asgard, Thor said that Aegir had to conduct many feasts in return.

Giant Aegir considered the remarks of Thor as an insult and responded that he did not have plans to invite the gods and goddesses of Asgard to his poor dwelling in the Island of Hlesey.

Giant Aegir said he had sufficient food for all the gods and goddesses but he was not in the possession of a large cauldron to brew sufficient Ale and Mead.

Giant Aegir said he was pleased to invite all the gods and goddesses in Asgard for the 'Harvest - End Feast' to be held in his dwelling located in the Western Sea.

The Kingdom of Aegir was found beyond Noatun the 'Safe Ship Heaven of God Njord'.

Aegir requested Thor to trace a Cauldron in the Nine Worlds big enough to brew Mead and Ale for the gods and goddesses in Asgard.

At this point Tyr, the brave guardian of gods volunteered to find a cauldron.

Cauldron

He said his foster father Giant Hymir had a great cauldron which was extremely strong and many miles deep and nobody could see the whole of it from one side to the other.

Hymir's dwelling was found beyond the River Elivager comprising ice waves and bordering Nifelheim the region of mist and huge caves below the earth.

Thor was so happy and shouted either by force or guile he would bring the cauldron that belonged to Hymir to brew the Mead and Ale required for the 'Harvest-End Feast' to be hosted by Aegir in his kingdom for the gods and goddesses.

Tyr volunteered to accompany Thor to the dwelling of Giant Hymir.

Both of them disguised themselves as young men and left Asgard in Thor's chariot drawn by two goats. As signs of their departure, thunder shook the worlds and lightning flashed from the wheels as Thor and Tyr sped over the ocean and across the sky.

Reaching the last house in Midgard the dwelling of Orvandel - Egil, Thor left his chariot and two of his horn-strong goats.

They walked a long distance and crossed the river Elivager and went past the vast fishing ground of Hymir.

Rocky caverns

Walking through the mountains covered densely by forests and rocky caverns dwelt by fierce giants and monsters of Hymer's clan, Thor and Tyr finally reached their destination.

Both of them came to a huge stone hall where Hymir lived not far from the edge of the ice-cold ocean.

Reaching the Giant Hymir's stronghold , Tyr saw his grandmother a horrific giantess with 900 heads.

The old giantess who tried to catch them disappeared when Tyr's beautiful mother having hair shining like gold seeing his son shouted, "It is my son Tyr whom I bore to Odin the All father in the morning of time." As a gesture of hospitality she brought Mead for Tyr and Thor to drink.

After providing refreshments for the travel-weary guests she bade them hide behind the great stone post at the gable end and beneath the Cauldrons of Hymir.

She invited both of them shivering in cold beside the warm fire to relax themselves.

She said Hymir went on a hunting expedition and before his arrival they were asked to hide. By nightfall both of them heard shoutings raised by the servants of Hymir.

In a short while Hymir entered the hall carrying whales he had hunted.

"Welcome my father Hymir." cried Tyr's mother. "My son Tyr for whom I have long waited has come to your hall accompanied by his half-brother known as Thor." "Thor is an enemy of the giants and a friend of men but he has come to meet you in all peace and friendliness."

Hymir who was not pleased of the presence of his enemy 'Thor the giant killer' under his roof turned fiercely towards the post where the two gods were hiding.

Before the piercing gaze the giant stone pillar went to smithereens and the great beam above it came crashing into the ground and all the eight cauldrons fell down.

Seven cauldrons smashed into pieces and the largest and the strongest remained unbroken even though it sank deep in the floor.

Widows

Two Aesir Gods Thor and Tyr appeared before Hymir.

Hymir was not pleased to face Thor who was directly responsible for making the giantesses of Jotunheim widows by killing their husbands but forgetting the past he invited the guests to be seated by his table.

On the orders of Hymir, his servants slaughtered three of the oxen and roasted and placed them before the Giant Hymir and two Gods of Thor and Tyr arrived from Asgard.

Hymir served the two guests several rounds of sweet Mead and home brewed Ale before eating the roasted beef.

Thor ate two of the roasted oxen leaving only one for Hymir and the rest. Highly annoyed, Hymir said the next morning if they had to eat together they would need more food.

A larger feast had to be arranged the next day, Hymir retorted angrily. Early next morning Hymir got up and proceeded towards the sea-shore dragging his boat after him. Hymir decided to catch some whales for the breakfast of the two gods.

Prowess

Thor who was very keen on showing his prowess planned to join Hymir in his fishing expedition. Thor offered himself to row Hymir's boat out to sea saying that he would like to try his hand fishing monsters in the deep sea. Hymir tried to discourage Thor's intention of fishing with him giving several reasons.

Thor had insisted on joining Hymir and finally he invited Thor and asked him to find his own bait.

Thor reached Hymir's meadow and seized his biggest and fiercest bull called ' Heaven Bellower 'snatched its head to be used as a bait.

Thor got hold of some oars and started rowing at a great speed and Hymir was frightened.

Soon Thor and Hymir reached the usual fishing area where Hymir used to angle flat fish and requested Thor to stop rowing beyond the spot.

But, Thor continued to row farther away to the deep sea stating that monsters could be caught only in the deep sea.

Hymir shouted at Thor saying that they had already reached the forbidden region just above the waters where the Midgard Serpent was resting.

By the time, Hymir had already caught two whales and decided to row back to the shore but Thor got ready with a strong fishing line and hook the bull's head as the bait and lowered the fishing line carefully to the bottom of the sea.

Midgard Serpent

The 'Jormangandr', the Midgard Serpent snapped at the Ox head and instantly the hook caught in its jaws.

Midgard Serpent writhing in pain and fury lashed the sea into a frenzy but Thor kept on to his grip.

In the struggle of pulling the sea monster out of the bottom of the ocean bed, Thor's feet went through the bottom of the boat and he felt he was standing on the sea bed.Thor was successful at last in his most hazardous feat of pulling up his mighty catch of Midgard Serpent up to the keel and then over the gunwale. Midgard Serpent, twisted and roared and spat poison when Thor began to beat its head with his hammer Miolnir, the whole world shook and the cry of the Midgard Serpent was heard all over the cold waters of the regions of the North.

Hymir who was frightened and cut the fishing line allowing it to slide back to the bottom of the ocean.

Cowardice

Thor got angry with Hymir for his cowardice and hit Hymir on the side of his head with his fist. Thor's mighty blow threw Giant Hymir out of the boat into the sea. Thor flung his hammer Miolnir after the Midgard Serpent and it returned to his hands having caused only a bruise to the serpent's head.

Hymir got into the boat and begged Thor either to carry the whales to his dwellings or to bring the boat to the shore .

Thor agreed to carry everything to Hymir's dwellings on his head.

Again three of them sat down for breakfast and Thor ate all the wales. Giant Hymir challenging Thor requested him to smash the Glass Goblet used by Hymir. Thor threw the glass goblet at a stone pillar but it was the pillar which broke into pieces.

On the instructions whispered by Hymir's wife, again Thor threw the glass goblet against the Hymir's head.

The glass goblet smashed into pieces and realising the defeat Hymir had to offer the cauldron to Thor and Tyr to be taken away with them. Thor managed to lift the cauldron on his shoulder and both of them walked away from Hymir's land.

Looking back Thor could see multi-headed giants were following them.

Thor kept the Cauldron aside and swung his hammer - Miolnir again and again and killed all the Giants. Thor and Tyr arrived safely with the Cauldron and Aegir brewed Mead and Ale for the gods and goddesses and since then every Winter, gods and goddesses drank Ale and Mead brewed at Aegir's land.