Potions and Poisons: ‘Magical’ Drinks in Medieval Norse Literature
Paper by Ann Sheffield
Given at the Performing Magic in the pre-Modern North Conference on December 8, 2021
Excerpt: I have argued today that, in the case of magical drinks, the special knowledge denoted by fiolkunnigri can be viewed as an extension of the knowledge needed to brew alcoholic drink. I don’t claim any kind of totalizing explanatory power for this view. Norse literature obviously depicts some magical acts, such as the ability to manipulate the weather, do not appear to be enhancements or extensions of ordinary skills. The point I do want to make is that perceiving the ordinary or the magical as discrete separate categories is a modern way of thinking that could impede our understanding of the past.
Potions and Poisons: ‘Magical’ Drinks in Medieval Norse Literature
Paper by Ann Sheffield
Given at the Performing Magic in the pre-Modern North Conference on December 8, 2021
Excerpt: I have argued today that, in the case of magical drinks, the special knowledge denoted by fiolkunnigri can be viewed as an extension of the knowledge needed to brew alcoholic drink. I don’t claim any kind of totalizing explanatory power for this view. Norse literature obviously depicts some magical acts, such as the ability to manipulate the weather, do not appear to be enhancements or extensions of ordinary skills. The point I do want to make is that perceiving the ordinary or the magical as discrete separate categories is a modern way of thinking that could impede our understanding of the past.
Ann Sheffield is a Professor Emerita at Allegheny College. Click here to view her Academia.edu page.
Click here to learn more about the Performing Magic in the pre-Modern North Conference
Click here to view more papers from the conference from their Youtube Channel
Top Image: Christian Krohg: Illustration for Olav the Saints saga, Heimskringla 1899-edition
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