The study of ON metrics is at present a highly dynamic field, rapidly expanding our understanding not only of the system itself, but also of its implications for the dating and evolution of the early ON textual tradition. Due to recent testing, the essential correctness of Eduard Sievers’ four-position system, as presented in his Altgermanische Metrik (1893), is now beyond reasonable doubt. An understanding of this system provides the ON scholar with a vast array of tools for the evaluation of poetic texts and thus also for the evaluation of the first three centuries of ON literature.
In spite of their immense analytical value, Sieversian metrics are often disregarded in ON scholarship. One reason is that the demonstration of their essential correctness is recent, but another is that few accessible overviews exist. This course therefore offers a rare opportunity for you to develop your metrical skills. These will enable you to make qualified evaluations of dating criteria (cf. Haukur Þorgeirsson 2012; Myrvoll 2020), but also to develop your proficiency in textual criticism using all the tools at the scholar’s disposal (cf. Haukur Þorgeirsson 2020; Neidorf 2016). In addition, you will gain an understanding of recent advances in the field (e.g., Haukur Þorgeirsson 2012 and 2017; Myrvoll 2020 and forthcoming; Fulk 2002; Pascual 2013–14 and 2016a), as well as some insight into the possible background of early Germanic verse (Pascual 2016b). The course thereby opens the door to an area of discovery that has far too long remained closed to the majority of ON scholars. Do not miss this opportunity to learn to evaluate what we can plausibly know about ON literature before c. 1150! Your teachers will be two of the most respected specialists of the younger generation of scholars, Haukur Þorgeirsson and Klaus Johan Myrvoll.
The course focuses mainly on fornyrðislag and dróttkvætt, which are most common and served as the starting point of other metres. It also explores the innovations involved in the development of rímur. Participants are expected to have a good understanding of Old Norse (e.g., to read saga prose with relative ease). All participants must read Fulk 2016 and Myrvoll 2016 carefully in advance of the course (optionally also Haukur Þorgeirsson 2016). Participants should also read Sievers 1893: 4–73 in advance, but this you can do more cursorily, and it helps to have read the other two first. Participants will get access to a folder containing the course literature in advance of the course.
ECTS and admission:
The course gives 3 ECTS for participation, 5 ECTS for participation and a paper. To register for the course, go to the course front page and find links for registration under "Admissions". Deadline for applications is 16. September.
Syllabus:
Fulk, R. D. 2002. “Early Middle English Evidence for Old English Meter: Resolution in the Poema morale”, Journal of Germanic Linguistics 14, 331–55
––. 2016. “Eddic Metres”. In: Carolyne Larrington, Judy Quinn and Brittany Schorn (eds.). A Handbook to Eddic Poetry. Myths and Legends of Early Scandinavia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 252–70
Haukur Þorgeirsson. 2012. “Late Placement of the Finite Verb in Old Norse Fornyrðislag Meter”, Journal of Germanic Linguistics 24, 233–69
––. 2016. “Hnútasvipa Sievers professors”, Són 14, 117–50
––. 2017. “The Dating of Eddic Poetry – Evidence from Alliteration”. In: Kristján Árnason et al. (eds.). Approaches to Nordic and Germanic Poetry. Reykjavík: Háskólaútgáfan, 33–61
––. 2020. “In Defence of Emendation. The Editing of Vǫluspá”, Saga-Book 44, 31–56
Kristján Árnason. 2007. “On the Principles of Nordic Rhyme and Alliteration”, Arkiv för nordisk filologi 122, 79–114
Myrvoll, Klaus Johan. 2016. “The Constitutive Features of the dróttkvætt Metre”. In: Stephen Carey et al. (eds.). Approaches to Nordic and Germanic Poetry. Reykjavík: University of Iceland Press, 229–256.
––. 2020. “The Authenticity of Gísli’s Verse”. JEGP 119, 220–57
––. Forthcoming. “Dating and Authenticity”. In: Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 5
Neidorf, Leonard. 2016. “Metrical Criteria for the Emendation of Old English Poetic Texts”. In: Neidorf et al. (eds.). Old English Philology. Studies on Honor of R. D. Fulk. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 52–68
Pascual, Rafael. 2013–2014. “Three-Position Verses and the Metrical Practice of the Beowulf Poet”, SELIM 20, 49–79
––. 2016a. “Sievers, Bliss, Fulk and Old English Metrical Theory”. In: Neidorf et al. (eds.). Old English Philology. Studies on Honor of R. D. Fulk. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 17–33
––. 2016b. “Old English Metrical History and the Composition of Widsið”. Neophilologus 100, 289–302
Sievers, Eduard. 1893. Altgermanische Metrik. Halle: Niemeyer, pp. 4–73