‘ok er hann einhendr’: Tÿr’s Enhanced Functionality

Abstract From the slim dossier of mythological lore concerning the senior Norse god Týr, which includes Loki’s mockery in Lokasenna, a single myth emerges: his binding of the wolf Fenrir and concurrent loss of his sword and oath-taking hand in the wolf’s maw. A Norse model of the surrender of a body...
Ausführliche Beschreibung

Abstract From the slim dossier of mythological lore concerning the senior Norse god Týr, which includes Loki’s mockery in Lokasenna, a single myth emerges: his binding of the wolf Fenrir and concurrent loss of his sword and oath-taking hand in the wolf’s maw. A Norse model of the surrender of a body part in return for enhanced psycho-somatic ability in a divine meta-function, as seen in Óðinn’s pawning of an eye for knowledge, is extended to Týr, whose compensatory gain is skill in bold and clever power politics: knowledge of the social and legal systems, and their artful manipulation. The economy of loss and gain is measured against the events of the ultimate battle of Ragnarǫk, in which the loosed Fenrir kills Óðinn and Garmr, dog or wolf, and Týr kill one another. Ausführliche Beschreibung