The Hovamol

I found the Hovamol very interesting in that it seemed to give a great deal of insight into the key values in Viking culture. I was intrigued by the discussion on drinking in which the stanzas seemed to stress moderation as the proper habit when enjoying alcohol. In stanza 12, lines 3-4, it states, "For the more he drinks | the less does man /Of his mind the mastery hold" warning that one is likely to act irresponsible when heavily under the influence. Stanza 19 advises, "Shun not the mead, | but drink in measure", likely good advice--to anyone. Other values which seemed to be highlighted in this poem were wisdom, honor, trust, friendship/kinship, and the importance of being a polite guest.

Of these, the stanza I found most insightful was 34:

Crooked and far | is the road to a foe,
Though his house on the highway be;
But wide and straight | is the way to a friend,
Though far away he fare.

I interpreted this to mean that while the path to making an enemy is rather tretcherous, it is nonetheless the path most traveled. Meanwhile, the road to friendship is not a difficult one, but because of investments such as time and caring, fewer people choose to take it, despite the fact that it is simpler and definitely more worthwhile.