Editing Fenrir (section)

==Attestations==
===''Poetic Edda''===
[[Image:Fenrir and Odin by Frølich.jpg|thumb|''Fenrir and Odin'' (1895) by [[Lorenz Frølich]]]]
[[Image:Vidar by Collingwood.jpg|thumb|right|An illustration of Víðarr stabbing Fenrir while holding his jaws apart (1908) by [[W. G. Collingwood]], inspired by the [[Gosforth Cross]]]]

Fenrir is mentioned in three stanzas of the poem ''[[Völuspá]]'' and in two stanzas of the poem ''[[Vafþrúðnismál]]''.  In stanza 40 of the poem ''Völuspá'', a [[völva]] divulges to [[Odin]] that, in the east, an old woman sat in the forest [[Járnviðr]] "and bred there the broods of Fenrir. There will come from them all one of that number to be a moon-snatcher in [[troll]]'s skin."<ref name=DRONKE17>Dronke (1997:17).</ref> Further into the poem the völva foretells that Odin will be consumed by Fenrir at Ragnarök:

{{poemquote|Then is fulfilled [[Hlín]]'s
second sorrow,
when Óðinn goes
to fight with the wolf,
and [[Beli's bane|Beli's slayer]],
bright, against [[Surtr]].
Then shall [[Frigg]]'s
sweet friend fall.}}

In the stanza that follows the völva describes that Odin's "tall child of Triumph's Sire" (Odin's son Víðarr) will then come to "strike at the beast of slaughter" and with his hands he will drive a sword into the heart of  "[[Loki|Hveðrungr]]'s son", avenging the death of his father.<ref name=DRONKE21-22>Dronke (1997:21–22).</ref>

In the first of two stanzas mentioning Fenrir in ''Vafþrúðnismál'' Odin poses a question to the wise [[jötunn]] [[Vafþrúðnir]]:

{{poemquote|Much I have travelled, much have I tried out,
much have I tested the Powers;
from where will a sun come into the smooth heaven
when Fenrir has assailed this one?}}

In the stanza that follows Vafþrúðnir responds that Sól (here referred to as ''[[Álfröðull]]'') will bear a daughter before Fenrir attacks her, and that this daughter shall continue the paths of her deceased mother through the heavens.<ref name=LARRINGTON47>Larrington (1999:47).</ref>

In the [[flyting]] poem ''[[Lokasenna]]'' verse 38, Loki insults Týr by saying he cannot deal fairly with men because "it was your right hand/ that Fenrir tore away" referring to the association between left hands and dishonesty. Týr responds in stanza 39 with references to the incident of Fenrir's binding, "I lost my hand, you the famous wolf."<ref name=LARRINGTON91>Larrington (1999:91).</ref>

===''Prose Edda''===
In the ''[[Prose Edda]]'', Fenrir is mentioned in three books: ''[[Gylfaginning]]'', ''[[Skáldskaparmál]]'' and ''[[Háttatal]]''.

====''Gylfaginning'' chapters 13 and 25====
In chapter 13 of the ''Prose Edda'' book ''Gylfaginning'', Fenrir is first mentioned in a stanza quoted from ''Völuspá''.<ref name=FAULKES15>Faulkes (1995:15).</ref> Fenrir is first mentioned in prose in chapter 25, where the enthroned figure of [[High, Just-As-High, and Third|High]] tells [[Gylfi|Gangleri]] (described as King [[Gylfi]] in disguise) about the god [[Týr]]. High says that one example of Týr's bravery is that when the [[Æsir]] were luring Fenrir (referred to here as ''Fenrisúlfr'') to place the fetter [[Gleipnir]] on the wolf, Týr placed his hand within the wolf's mouth as a pledge. This was done at Fenrir's own request because he did not trust that the Æsir would let him go. As a result, when the Æsir refused to release him, he bit off Týr's hand at a location "now called the wolf-joint" (the [[wrist]]), causing Týr to be one-handed and "not considered to be a promoter of settlements between people."<ref name=FAULKES25>Faulkes (1995:25).</ref>

====''Gylfaginning'' chapter 34====
[[Image:The binding of Fenrir by George Wright.jpg|thumb|''The Binding of Fenrir'' (1908) by [[George Hand Wright|George Wright]]]]
[[Image:Odin und Fenriswolf Freyr und Surt.jpg|thumb|''Odin and Fenriswolf, [[Freyr]] and [[Surtr|Surt]]'' (1905) by [[Emil Doepler]]]]

In chapter 34, High describes Loki, and says that Loki had three children with a woman named [[Angrboða]] located in the land of [[Jötunheimr]]; Fenrisúlfr, the serpent [[Jörmungandr]], and the female being [[Hel (being)|Hel]]. High continues that, once the gods found that these three children were being brought up in the land of [[Jötunheimr]], and when the gods "traced prophecies that from these siblings great mischief and disaster would arise for them" the gods expected a lot of trouble from the three children, partially due to the nature of the mother of the children, yet worse so due to the nature of their father.<ref name="FAULKES26-27">Faulkes (1995:26–27).</ref>

High says that Odin sent the gods to gather the children and bring them to him. Upon their arrival, Odin threw Jörmungandr into "that deep sea that lies round all lands", and then threw Hel into [[Niflheim]], and bestowed upon her authority over [[Norse cosmology|nine worlds]]. However, the Æsir brought up the wolf "at home", and only Týr had the courage to approach Fenrir, and give Fenrir food. The gods noticed that Fenrir was growing rapidly every day, and since all prophecies foretold that Fenrir was destined to cause them harm, the gods formed a plan. The gods prepared [[Numbers in Germanic paganism|three]] [[fetter]]s: The first, greatly strong, was called Leyding. They brought Leyding to Fenrir and suggested that the wolf try his strength with it. Fenrir judged that it was not beyond his strength, and so let the gods do what they wanted with it. At Fenrir's first kick the bind snapped, and Fenrir loosened himself from Leyding. The gods made a second fetter, twice as strong, and named it Dromi. The gods asked Fenrir to try the new fetter, and that should he break this feat of engineering, Fenrir would achieve great fame for his strength. Fenrir considered that, while the fetter was very strong, his strength had grown since he broke Leyding; and also that he would have to take some risks if he were to become famous. Fenrir allowed them to place the fetter.<ref name=FAULKES27>Faulkes (1995:27).</ref>

When the Æsir exclaimed that they were ready, Fenrir shook himself, knocked the fetter to the ground, strained hard, and kicking with his feet, snapped the fetter – breaking it into pieces that flew far into the distance. High says that, as a result, to "loose from Leyding" or to "strike out of Dromi" have become sayings for when something is achieved with great effort. The Æsir started to fear that they would not be able to bind Fenrir, and so Odin sent [[Freyr]]'s messenger [[Skírnir]] down into the land of [[Svartálfaheimr]] to "some [[Dwarf (Germanic mythology)|dwarfs]]" and had them make a fetter called Gleipnir. The dwarves constructed Gleipnir from six mythical ingredients. After an exchange between Gangleri and High, High continues that the fetter was smooth and soft as a silken ribbon, yet strong and firm. The messenger brought the ribbon to the Æsir, and they thanked him heartily for completing the task.<ref name=FAULKES28>Faulkes (1995:28).</ref>

The Æsir went out on to the lake [[Amsvartnir]] sent for Fenrir to accompany them, and continued to the island Lyngvi (Old Norse "a place overgrown with [[Calluna|heather]]").<ref name=SIMEK198>Simek (2007:198).</ref> The gods showed Fenrir the silken fetter Gleipnir, told him to tear it, stated that it was much stronger than it appeared, passed it among themselves, used their hands to pull it, and yet it did not tear. However, they said that Fenrir would be able to tear it, to which Fenrir replied:

{{blockquote|It looks to me that with this ribbon as though I will gain no fame from it if I do tear apart such a slender band, but if it is made with art and trickery, then even if it does look thin, this band is not going on my legs.<ref name=FAULKES28/>}}

The Æsir said Fenrir would quickly tear apart a thin silken strip, noting that Fenrir earlier broke great iron binds, and added that if Fenrir wasn't able to break slender Gleipnir then Fenrir is nothing for the gods to fear, and as a result would be freed. Fenrir responded:

{{blockquote|If you bind me so that I am unable to release myself, then you will be standing by in such a way that I should have to wait a long time before I got any help from you. I am reluctant to have this band put on me. But rather than that you question my courage, let someone put his hand in my mouth as a pledge that this is done in good faith.<ref name=FAULKES28-29>Faulkes (1995:28–29).</ref>}}

With this statement, all of the Æsir look to one another, finding themselves in a dilemma. Everyone refused to place their hand in Fenrir's mouth until Týr put out his right hand and placed it into the wolf's jaws. When Fenrir kicked, Gleipnir caught tightly, and the more Fenrir struggled, the stronger the band grew. At this, everyone laughed, except Týr, who there lost his right hand. When the gods knew that Fenrir was fully bound, they took a cord called Gelgja (Old Norse "fetter")<ref name=ORCHARD54>Orchard (1997:54).</ref> hanging from Gleipnir, inserted the cord through a large stone slab called [[Gjöll]] (Old Norse "scream"),<ref name=ORCHARD57>Orchard (1997:57).</ref> and the gods fastened the stone slab deep into the ground. After, the gods took a great rock called Thviti (Old Norse "hitter, batterer"),<ref name=SIMEK334>Simek (2007:334).</ref> and thrust it even further into the ground as an anchoring peg. Fenrir reacted violently; he opened his jaws very wide, and tried to bite the gods. Then the gods thrust a sword into his mouth. Its hilt touched the lower jaw and its point the upper one; by means of it the jaws of the wolf were spread apart and the wolf gagged. Fenrir "howled horribly", saliva ran from his mouth, and this saliva formed the river Ván (Old Norse "hope").<ref>Simek (2007:350)</ref> There Fenrir will lie until Ragnarök. Gangleri comments that Loki created a "pretty terrible family" though important, and asks why the Æsir did not just kill Fenrir there since they expected great malice from him. High replies that "so greatly did the gods respect their [[Vé (shrine)|holy places]] and places of sanctuary that they did not want to defile them with the wolf's blood even though the prophecies say that he will be the death of Odin."<ref name=FAULKES29>Faulkes (1995:29).</ref>

====''Gylfaginning'' chapters 38 and 51====
[[Image:Fenrir (Manual of Mythology).jpg|thumb|''Fenrir'' (1874) by A. Fleming]]

In chapter 38, High says that there are [[Einherjar|many men]] in [[Valhalla]], and many more who will arrive, yet they will "seem too few when the wolf comes".<ref name=FAULKES32>Faulkes (1995:32).</ref> In chapter 51, High foretells that as part of the events of Ragnarök, after Fenrir's son [[Sköll]] has swallowed the [[Sól (Sun)|sun]] and his other son [[Hati Hróðvitnisson]] has swallowed the [[Máni|moon]], the stars will disappear from the sky. The earth will shake violently, trees will be uprooted, mountains will fall, and all binds will snap – Fenrisúlfr will be free. Fenrisúlfr will go forth with his mouth opened wide, his upper jaw touching the sky and his lower jaw the earth, and flames will burn from his eyes and nostrils.<ref name=FAULKES53>Faulkes (1995:53).</ref> Later, Fenrisúlfr will arrive at the field [[Vígríðr]] with his sibling Jörmungandr. With the forces assembled there, an immense battle will take place. During this, Odin will ride to fight Fenrisúlfr. During the battle, Fenrisúlfr will eventually swallow Odin, killing him, and Odin's son [[Víðarr]] will move forward and kick one foot into the lower jaw of the wolf. This foot will bear a legendary shoe "for which the material has been collected throughout all time". With one hand, Víðarr will take hold of the wolf's upper jaw and tear apart his mouth, killing Fenrisúlfr.<ref name=FAULKES54>Faulkes (1995:54).</ref> High follows this prose description by citing various quotes from ''Völuspá'' in support, some of which mention Fenrir.<ref name=FAULKES55-57>Faulkes (1995:55–57).</ref>

====''Skáldskaparmál'' and ''Háttatal''====
In the Epilogue section of the ''Prose Edda'' book ''[[Skáldskaparmál]]'', a [[euhemerism|euhemerized]] monologue equates Fenrisúlfr to [[Neoptolemus|Pyrrhus]], attempting to rationalize that "it killed Odin, and Pyrrhus could be said to be a wolf according to their religion, for he paid no respect to places of sanctuary when he killed the king in the temple in front of [[Thor]]'s altar."<ref name=FAULKES65-66>Faulkes (1995:65–66).</ref> In chapter 2, "wolf's enemy" is cited as a [[kenning]] for Odin as used by the 10th century [[skald]] [[Egill Skallagrímsson]].<ref name=FAULKES68>Faulkes (1995:68).</ref> In chapter 9, "feeder of the wolf" is given as a kenning for Týr and, in chapter 11, "slayer of Fenrisúlfr" is presented as a kenning for Víðarr.<ref name=FAULKES76>Faulkes (1995:76).</ref> In chapter 50, a section of ''[[Ragnarsdrápa]]'' by the 9th century skald [[Bragi Boddason]] is quoted that refers to [[Hel (being)|Hel]], the being, as "the monstrous wolf's sister".<ref name=FAULKES123>Faulkes (1995:123).</ref> In chapter 75, names for [[warg]]s and wolves are listed, including both "Hróðvitnir" and "Fenrir".<ref name=FAULKES164>Faulkes (1995:164).</ref> "Fenrir" appears twice in verse as a [[common noun]] for a "wolf" or "warg" in chapter 58 of ''Skáldskaparmál'', and in chapter 56 of the book ''[[Háttatal]]''.<ref name=FAULKES136,199>Faulkes (1995:136 and 199).</ref> Additionally, the name "Fenrir" can be found among a list of [[jötunn|jötnar]] in chapter 75 of ''Skáldskaparmál''.<ref name=FAULKES157>Faulkes (1995:157).</ref>

===''Heimskringla''===
[[File:Fenrir binded.png|thumb|Bound of Fenrir. Dorothy Hearthy (1909).]]
[[File:Fenrir bound manuscript image.jpg|thumb|A 17th-century manuscript illustration of the bound Fenrir, the river Ván flowing from his jaws]]

At the end of the ''[[Heimskringla]]'' saga ''[[Hákonar saga góða]]'', the poem ''[[Hákonarmál]]'' by the 10th century [[skald]] [[Eyvindr skáldaspillir]] is presented. The poem is about the fall of King [[Haakon I of Norway]]; although he is Christian, he is taken by two [[valkyrie]]s to [[Valhalla]], and is there received as one of the Einherjar. Towards the end of the poem, a stanza relates sooner will the bonds of Fenrir snap than as good a king as Haakon shall stand in his place:

{{poemquote|
Unfettered will fare the Fenris Wolf
and ravaged the realm of men,
ere that cometh a kingly prince
as good, to stand in his stead.<ref name=HOLLANDER127>Hollander (2007:127).</ref>}}