Rudolf John Gorseleben
Rudolf John Gorsleben’s translation of the Prose Edda was first published in 1920 as a supplement to his earlier translation of the Poetic Edda. He translated both of the Eddas from Old Norse into High German and provided an extensive commentary. These works are among the most important German translations of the Eddas to this day.
This volume contains book II of Gorsleben’s translations from the Prose Edda and Sagas, as well as book III of his complete translation of the Poetic Edda. The former comprises the Gylfaginning, Bragaræður and Skáldskaparmál, Nornagests þáttr, and the Volsunga Saga, while the latter consists of selections from the Hávamál, Hyndluljóð, Grímnismál, Völuspá, and Sigrdrífumál.
As a re-translation from High German into English, the main value of this work is in the original translator’s Ariosophic perspective, and his inclusion of sources like the Volsung and Nornagest material from outside of the Eddic canon. It is intended for readers who have some familiarity with the Eddas, and is by no means an authoritative or literal translation.