Tag: Never-ending battle

Description:

A motif that exists in many cultures, the idea of the never-ending battle also rests at home in the martial character of Old Norse literature and mythology. The most prominent examples are the Hjaðningavíg (LINK), "the war of the followers of Héðinn," and the Einherjar (LINK). Hjaðningavíg is a narrative about two kings who fall out due to magic influencing their minds, and one kidnaps the other's daughter. The girl's father pursues and they meet with their armies on an island, and fight to the death. Each night, by some magic (the details vary by source) the slain are revived and their wounds undone, and the next day they continue the bloodshed, until Ragnarök destroys the world. The Einherjar, "lone warriors" or "one-man armies," are warriors who die in battle and earn a place in Valhöll (LINK), Óðinn's (LINK) "hall of the slain." There they feast and celebrate with endless mead, and for entertainment, they arm themselves and fight each other in the courtyard every day, reviving and riding back to the hall at dinnertime. Both of these are examples of a motif of Never-ending battle, though with variation. The Einherjar seem to be exulted by their high place at Óðinn's hall and take joy in fighting endlessly (though not many details are given of their opinion, the tone of descriptions seems positive). By comparison, the combatants of the Hjaðningavíg are compelled into their endless battle, and in at least one version of the story, when the curse is broken by a Christian man interceding on the battle, the warriors are exhausted and grateful to finally die a true death.

Tag Category: Motif

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