Balder Dead

by Matthew Arnold

Poetic retelling of the murder of Odin's son, Balder, as brought about by the wicked machinations of his half-brother Loki.

Genres: Poetry, Mythology

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1854

About the author

Poems, such as "Dover Beach" (1867), of British critic Matthew Arnold express moral and religious doubts alongside his Culture and Anarchy , a polemic of 1869 against Victorian materialism.

Matthew Arnold, an English sage writer, worked as an inspector of schools. Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of rugby school, fathered him and and Tom Arnold, his brother and literary professor, alongside William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew...

Reviews

[Jinx:The:Poet {the LiteraryWanderer & WordRoamer} · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Listened to FREE on Librivox**

Balder Dead is an epic narrative poem, with strong themes of tragedy and betrayal, first published in 1855 by Matthew Arnold. This poem draws upon classic and ancient Norse mythology: retelling the story of the murder of Odin’s son, Balder, as brought about by the wicked machinations of Loki. In this version of the tale, the evil Loki was quickly punished for murdering Balder by being exiled from Asgard. Still, it remains for the gods - the Æsir and the Vanir dwelling in Asgard - to bury and to mourn their dead. There is a way to save Balder’s soul yet, and the gods’ set out to do this. Of course things get complicated with further interference from Loki, the trickster god... Things do not go quite as planned.

This was a very interesting poem overall. I would recommend for readers interested in Norse mythology and ancient epic poetry. It was a worth while read.

[OFFICIAL RATING: 4 STARS]

[Aaron Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

So on the floor lay Balder dead; and round
Lay thickly strewn swords, axes, darts, and spears,
Which all the Gods in sport had idly thrown
At Balder, whom no weapon pierced or clove;
But in his breast stood fixed the fatal bough
Of mistletoe, which Lok, the Accuser, gave
To Hoder, and unwitting Hoder threw—
'Gainst that alone had Balder's life no charm.


Come then! if Balder was so dear beloved,
And this is true, and such a loss is Heaven's—
Hear, how to Heaven may Balder be restored.
Show me through all the world the signs of grief!
Fails but one thing to grieve, here Balder stops!
Let all that lives and moves upon the earth
Weep him, and all that is without life weep;
Let Gods, men, brutes, beweep him; plants and stones.
So shall I know the lost was dear indeed,
And bend my heart, and give him back to Heaven.




“Loki, the fire, is jealous of Balder, the pure light of heaven, who alone among the Northern gods never fought, but was always ready with words of conciliation and peace.”
—H. A. Guerber, Myths of the Norsemen

[Faye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am drawn to epic poems. They offer a great story in a condensed form. This one was "okay" for me, but I should read it again to see if I can engage better with the story.