The Poetic Edda on Hamther
The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Introductory Note
relationship: Hamther is the offspring of Guthrun.
"With Sigurth and Brynhild both dead, the story turns to the slaying of the sons of Gjuki by Atli, Guthrun's second husband, and to a few subsequent incidents, mostly late incorporations from other narrative cycles, including the tragic death of Svanhild, daughter of Sigurth and Guthrun and wife of Jormunrek (Ermanarich), and the exploits of Hamther, son of Guthrun and her third husband, Jonak."
attestation: Hamther is characterized by age in the verse.
"The title "Guthrunarhvot," which appears in the Codex Regius, really applies only to stanzas 1–8, all presumably borrowed from the "old" ballad of Hamther. The rest of the poem is simply another Guthrun"
attestation: Hamther is characterized by age in the verse.
"23. "Happy, methinks, | were I to behold Hamther and Sorli | here in my hall; The men would I bind | with strings of bows, And Gjuki's heirs | on the gallows hang.""
attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Hamther.
"23. "Happy, methinks, | were I to behold Hamther and Sorli | here in my hall; The men would I bind | with strings of bows, And Gjuki's heirs | on the gallows hang.""
attestation: The stanza references rulership or authority involving Hamther.
"25. Then did Hamther speak forth, | the haughty of heart: "Thou soughtest, Jormunrek, | us to see, Sons of one mother | seeking thy dwelling; Thou seest thy hands, | thy feet thou beholdest,"
attribution: Hamther delivers a speech in the verse.
"27. "Ill didst win, brother, | when the bag thou didst open, Oft from that bag | came baleful counsel; Heart hast thou, Hamther, | if knowledge thou hadst! A man without wisdom | is lacking in much."
Hamther spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Hamther.
"31. Then Sorli beside | the gable sank, And Hamther fell | at the back of the house.
This is called the old ballad of Hamther."
The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Notes
attestation: In the Volsungasaga, the advice to kill Hamther and Sorli with stones comes from Odin, who enters the hall as an old man with one eye
"in the Volsungasaga the advice to kill Hamther and Sorli with stones, since iron will not wound them (cf. note on stanza 11), comes from Othin, who enters the hall as an old man with one eye."
attestation: Stanzas 28-30 are generally regarded as a speech by Hamther
"Most editors regard stanzas 28–30 as a speech by Hamther"
The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Pronouncing Index
- relationship: Hamther is a son of Jonak
"Ham′-thēr, son of Jonak"