Poetic edda – a suggested reading order

Introduction

Newcomers to norse paganism are usually advised to read the eddas. And I agree with this suggestion. But the size of them, and the somewhat difficult language used (even in the English translations) can be quite off-putting. The order the chapters are presented in is often just the order in which they appear in the Codex Regius, with other parts from other manuscripts just tacked on at the end. This is not the most natural way in which to attack them and can make an already-challenging read more difficult.

To try and help, I present here a suggested reading order. I’ve tried to group chapters together which have similar or connected themes, whilst maintaining some kind of chronological consistency. Whilst this is primarily about the Poetic edda, some sections of the Prose edda are retellings, elaborations, or provide additional context on chapters from the Poetic edda. So if you choose to read the two together, I have included references to passages that might help.

There are a number of different English translations. Some are written to make the content easier to understand, some are written to try and preserve as much of the poetic character as possible, some more straight-forward and some more “flowery” in their choice of language. I personally prefer ones which are more true to the original meaning, even if that means sacrificing the poetic meter. If you’re looking for a recommendation, I would suggest reading Carolyne Larrington’s translation of the Poetic edda. (Ursula Dronke’s is the “gold standard”, but is very expensive.) If you are looking for a Prose edda translation, I would suggest Anthony Faulkes.

Reading order

Early cosmology

Start with the “cosmic” and prophetic poems to establish the worldview and stakes.

Vǫluspá	Cosmological creation-to-destruction
Prose edda: Gylfaginning §§10–13	These passages flesh out the creation myth with more detail (e.g., how Búri emerged from the cow Audhumla).

Odin’s quest for wisdom

Together with Vǫluspá, these provide the framework of Nordic mythic time and space.

Vafþrúðnismál	Mythic Q&A with the giant Vafþrúðnir about cosmology
Grímnismál	Odin reveals hidden knowledge to a king’s son
Prose edda: Gylfaginning §§3–9, §§15–27	Snorri explains the world’s structure, Ginnungagap, the creation of the gods, the Æsir/Vanir distinction, and Yggdrasill — echoing poetic content but with additional mythographic framing.

Early godly events and ethical wisdom

Focus next on Odin’s knowledge-seeking and social ethics.

Hávamál	Odin’s social wisdom. Long, gnomic and philosophical. Heavy mental energy.
Prose edda: Gylfaginning §§35–36	Reinforces themes of sacrifice, wisdom-seeking, and seiðr. Directly tied to Odin’s character.
Skírnismál Prose edda: Gylfaginning §§37–39	Freyr’s love quest and coercion via runes and threats. Raises ethical ambiguity and expands the world to include interpersonal manipulation.
Baldrs draumar Prose edda: Gylfaginning §§49–53	Baldr’s dreams and Odin’s descent to Hel

Loki’s exile and conflict

Lokasenna Prose edda: Gylfaginning §§33–34, §52

Loki insults the gods, foreshadowing Ragnarǫk. A pivotal social unraveling among gods.

Thor’s adventures

Hárbarðsljóð	Dialogue between Thor and a ferryman, including Thor’s comic humiliation.
Þrymskviða	Thor cross-dresses to recover Mjǫllnir. Humiliation and disguise.
Hymiskviða Prose edda: Gylfaginning §§43–48	Thor’s quest to get a cauldron large enough to brew ale for the gods. Mix of comic, adventure and cosmic elements. Strength and success.

Poetic origins and wisdom

Alvíssmál	Thor tricks a dwarf in a battle of wisdom
Prose edda: Skáldskaparmál Prologue and §§1–5)	Provides insight into the role of kennings and how poetic language reflects mythology, which ties directly to Alvíss’ list-knowledge style.
Svipdagsmál (Grógaldr + Fjǫlsvinnsmál)	A mythic-romantic quest narrative. (Often missing from translations.)
Rígsþula	Social hierarchy myth (Heimdall as father of classes)
Prose edda: Skáldskaparmál §1	Parallels in mythic origin of human roles and poetic invention. Optional

Deeper lore and origins

These are esoteric or origin-focused poems

Grottasöngr	A tragic myth about greed and power. Stark mytho-political allegory, high energy.
Hyndluljóð	Genealogical lore and prophecy. Bridge from myth to people.
Prose edda: Skáldskaparmál §§55–58	Explores genealogies and the naming of legendary figures and dwarves — overlaps with Hyndla’s genealogical invocations. Ancestral myths and magic.
Völundarkviða	Personal revenge tale; dark, intense. Heroic with mythic elements.

Additional Skáldskaparmál material from the Prose edda

Prose edda: Skáldskaparmál §§6–15	More mythological references, kennings, gods, and creation motifs. Alternatively, read after Alvíssmál.
Prose edda: Skáldskaparmál §§16-30	Mythological stories, later references
Prose edda: Skáldskaparmál §§31-48	Extended mythological material and kennings
Prose edda: Skáldskaparmál §§54	Additional mythological stories, especially about minor gods or legendary figures

Heroic poems

The heroic poems, grouped by family/cycle

Helgi cycle Helgakviða Hjörvarðssonar Völsungakviða (Helgakviða Hundingsbana I) Helgakviða Hjörvarðssonar (Helgakviða Hundingsbana II) Frá dauða Sinfjötla	(descendants of Vǫlsungr)
Vǫlsung/Sigurðr Gripisspá Reginsmál Fáfnismál Sigrdrífumál Brot af Sigurðarkviðu Sigurðarkviða in skamma Helreið Brynhildar Dráp Niflunga	Sigurðr’s destiny foretold Reginn and the forging of the sword The slaying of Fáfnir Brynhildr’s awakening and wisdom fragments of the lost “Great Lay of Sigurðr” The Short Lay of Sigurðr Brynhildr’s death and descent to Hel Prose link – Sigurðr’s murder, Guðrún’s sorrow
Guðrún/Niflung Guðrúnarkviða I Guðrúnarkviða II Guðrúnarkviða III Oddrúnargrátr Atlakviða Atlamál in grœnlenzku Guðrúnarhvǫt Hamðismál	Guðrún’s laments. Immediate grief over Sigurðr then later perspectives and sorrows Oddrún’s lament Atli invites the Niflungs Greenlandic Lay of Atli Guðrún’s sons avenge their kin Final vengence and destruction