Homosexuality and Norse paganism: Difference between revisions
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The issue of '''[[Homosexuality]] in [[Norse paganism]]''' has become a matter of debate in '''[[Ásatrú]]''' as practitioners try to reconcile [[mythology]], [[history]], [[historiography]], and modern views regarding homosexuality. The debate centres around the issue of whether or not it is dishonourable for men to take on the submissive role during [[sexual intercourse]] or for women to take on the active role. |
The issue of '''[[Homosexuality]] in [[Norse paganism]]''' has become a matter of debate in '''[[Ásatrú]]''' as practitioners try to reconcile [[mythology]], [[history]], [[historiography]], and modern views regarding homosexuality. The debate centres around the issue of whether or not it is dishonourable for men to take on the submissive role during [[sexual intercourse]] or for women to take on the active role. Different organizations have taken different interpretations, with some trying to preserve a negative view found in some Norse sources, and others arguing for a modern interpretation. |
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Ásatrú is a revivalist religion that seeks to reconstruct the beliefs and practices of the ancient Norsemen by piecing together ancient myths, [[Norse sagas|sagas]], and historical accounts of Norse society and religion. Like the mythology of most [[patriarchal]] societies, Norse legends primarily concern themselves with the exploits of men. Therefore, there is much more material concerning male homosexuality than there is [[lesbianism]] in Norse mythology. |
Ásatrú is a revivalist religion that seeks to reconstruct the beliefs and practices of the ancient Norsemen by piecing together ancient myths, [[Norse sagas|sagas]], and historical accounts of Norse society and religion. Like the mythology of most [[patriarchal]] societies, Norse legends primarily concern themselves with the exploits of men. Therefore, there is much more material concerning male homosexuality than there is [[lesbianism]] in Norse mythology. |
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Revision as of 05:55, 21 March 2006
The issue of Homosexuality in Norse paganism has become a matter of debate in Ásatrú as practitioners try to reconcile mythology, history, historiography, and modern views regarding homosexuality. The debate centres around the issue of whether or not it is dishonourable for men to take on the submissive role during sexual intercourse or for women to take on the active role. Different organizations have taken different interpretations, with some trying to preserve a negative view found in some Norse sources, and others arguing for a modern interpretation.
Ásatrú is a revivalist religion that seeks to reconstruct the beliefs and practices of the ancient Norsemen by piecing together ancient myths, sagas, and historical accounts of Norse society and religion. Like the mythology of most patriarchal societies, Norse legends primarily concern themselves with the exploits of men. Therefore, there is much more material concerning male homosexuality than there is lesbianism in Norse mythology.
Homosexuality in Viking Age Scandinavia
In general, Norse writings tend to view homosexuality negatively. The secular laws of Viking Age Iceland do not mention homosexuality. The sagas and laws make a distinction between the active and submissive roles taken by men during anal sex. There was no shame or dishonour attached to the role of the active, or insertive, partner. However, the submissive role was viewed as dishonourable by society (ergi). They were thought of as cowards who had been "conquered" by the active partner.
In the Sturlunga saga, Guðmundr takes captive a man and his wife, and plans for both the woman and the man to be raped as a means of sexual humiliation (Sørenson 82, 111; Sturlunga saga, I, 201). The term klámhogg "shame-stroke" inflicted on defeated enemies was regarded as on a par with castration or a wound to the brain, abdomen or marrow, and Sørenson (68) suggests that the term refers to rape (forced anal penetration). There is ample documentation of the practice of alleging homosexuality as a severe insult. The Icelandic Grágás condoned violence in retaliation for abuse alleging homosexuality.
The term argaskattr in the 14th century Moðruvallabók, "payment made to an argr man", seems to imply the existence of male prostitution (Sørenson, 34-35)
Homosexuality in Norse mythology
Accusing a man of practicing seiðr, implied effeminacy or sexual perversion. Odin himself was taunted for practicing seiðr, by Loki in the Lokasenna. Loki is viewed by some as a bisexual figure, taking the female role in the encounter with the giant's stallion in the Gylfaginning.
References
- Sørenson, Preben M., Joan Turville-Petre (trans.), The Unmanly Man: Concepts of Sexual Defamation in Early Northern Society, The Viking Collection, Studies in Northern Civilization 1. Odense University Press (1983).