Hrímgrímnir
In Norse mythology, Hrímgrímnir (Old Norse "frost-masked"[1]) is the name of a jötunn mentioned by Freyr's servant Skírnir as he was attempting to court the jötunn maiden Gerðr on his master's behalf. Faced with Gerðr's reluctance to marry Freyr, Skírnir resorts to bribery and threats to force her compliance, and finally begins cursing her with the horrors of the underworld if she will not agree to the union:
- "Hrímgrímnir is the giant who shall possess you
- down in the depths by the gates of Hel
- There let wretches on the roots of the tree [ Yggdrasil ]
- give you goat urine to drink." - Skírnismál
Hrímgrímnir is also listed in the thulur for jötnar but is not otherwise found elsewhere. Scholar John Lindow comments that Hrímgrímnir is evidently a part of something larger; if Gerðr refuses Skírnir's offer, she will "be denied all ordinary sexual congress", resulting in social consequences—even though she would be married, she would live in social exile.[2]
Notes
References
- Lindow, John (2001). Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515382-0
- Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. ISBN 0-304-34520-2
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