Bragi Sightings
- Eiríksmál 954
Norwegian king Eric Bloodaxe is a Viking rock star. So naturally, Odin is super-stoked to learn that Bloodaxe has died and will soon arrive in Valhalla. But Bragi doesn't buy it. In this anonymous Skaldic/Eddaic poem, he questions how Odin knows it's really him and wonders aloud why Odin let such a brave man die.
- Hákonormál by Eyvind Finnson Skáldaspillir 961
Hákon the Good has died. His reward for being such an awesome Viking is a "welcome to the afterlife" party thrown by Bragi at Odin's request, complete with praise-poems and flagons of ale. Read all about it in The Lay of Hákon.
- Poetic Edda, Sigrdrífumál 1200 - 1300
In this medieval work, a valkyrie (a totally fierce female warrior type) named Brynhildr shares her wisdom with the hero, Sigurd. Brynhildr recounts how runes—magical pictograms—are carved on many things, including Bragi's tongue. Ouch!
- Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson 1220
Bragi first appears in Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda in Gylfaginning, as part of Snorri's handy list of the Aesir gods. But his most important role is in the book called Skáldskaparmál. During a feast, Bragi tells Aegir the story of the origin of poetry. He also provides an extremely long list of poetic phrases called kennings and a handbook of poetic diction. What a fun dinner companion!
- Hrafnagaldr Ódins 1600 - 1700
When Idunn falls from the world-tree, Odin freaks out. In the meantime, we're confused about what Idunn was doing climbing the world-tree in the first place. In any case, Odin sends three sleuths—Bragi, Heimdall, and Loki—to the underworld in search of the meaning of her fall. Is it a spooky omen or a tragic accident? Decide for yourself—if you read Norse, that is.
- Thor (Marvel comics universe) 1984 - 2011
Bragi only appears twice in the Marvel comics featuring Thor. Why so little Bragi love, Marvel? But Marvel (partially) makes up for shorting Bragi on page time by giving him the ability to shape-shift into a white hawk.
- Too Human (video game) 2008
In this role-playing game for Xbox 360, the Norse gods and goddesses are futuristic humans with computer parts in them. Bragi is still a poet here, but he also commands "The Valiants," a group of dead human warriors. We just hope he's got a good embalmer…