Þórsdrápa

Þórsdrápa (Thorsdrapa, Lay of Thor) is a skaldic poem by Eilífr Goðrúnarson, a poet in the service of Jarl Hákon Sigurðarson. The poem is noted for its creative use of kennings and other metaphorical devices, as well as its labyrinthine complexity.

Narrative synopsis

The principal subject of the poem is a narrative relating as to how Thor came by his hammer, Mjolnir (Mjǫlnir), and, as is usually the case in stories with Thor, how the giants came off worse. Behind it all, of course, is Loki, who gulls Thor into a confrontation with the giant Geirrod (Geirrǫðr). With the aid of some magical gifts from the giantess Grid (Gríðr), Thor, accompanied by Þjálfi, defeats Geirrod and kills a number of other giants.

The narrative begins with an account of the trickery of Loki in inciting Thor to make war again against the giants; Þjálfi joins up with Thor but Loki is altogether more reluctant to the point of not going. The narrative then details Thor's (highly metaphorical) crossing of the oceans to Jötunheimr, with Þjálfi hanging onto his waist band. Being a drapa (drápa) the poem is rich in praise of Thor and Þjálfi's valour in making the difficult crossing.