07.22.07
Norse Myths and Classical Myths: Eleventh Post (Brynhild)
Brynhild’s life totally sucked! She gets made mortal, cast out of Asgard and forced to sleep in a circle of flames until a man (any man, as far as Odin is concerned) shows up and claims her as his bride (no mention of asking her or love or anything). And what did she do to deserve this? She disobeyed her father, Odin. No male god ever got so harsh a punishment for their disobedience (and they flout Odin’s wishes and orders all the time)! And then her betrothed unwittingly forgets her (why he left her in the first place is kind of unclear) and basically sells her out to another guy, even delivering her into his hands. And then she gets to hear him say he really did love her and didn’t mean to… right before he’s killed because she made it known how to kill him! No wonder his death killed her! It’s a wonder she lasted so long. She was strong to endure all that. It just doesn’t make any sense that she should have to.