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Quiz about Norse Myth The Mead of Poetry
Quiz about Norse Myth The Mead of Poetry

Norse Myth: The Mead of Poetry Quiz


Some would do anything to have a taste of the sweet Mead of Poetry. This quiz looks at this mystical drink as told in Norse tales. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by doublemm. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
doublemm
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
326,241
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
339
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The Mead of Poetry is said to have been formed from the blood of Kvasir, the wisest of all the gods. How did Kvasir come to be? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The blood of Kvasir was spilt due to the jealousy of two brothers - Fjalar and Galar. Of what race were these brothers? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. After inviting Kvasir to their cave for a feast, Fjalar and Galar killed the wise god. How was Kvasir killed? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The brothers collected the blood which flowed from Kvasir's body in three containers. What did Fjalar and Galar add to the blood to create the Mead of Poetry? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Fjalar and Galar's next guests were the giant Gilling and his wife. After an argument, Gilling was also killed by the malicious brothers. In what way was Gilling dispatched? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Fjalar and Galar were now forced to relinquish the Mead of Poetry as they were threatened by the giant, Suttung, who was seeking vengeance for the death of Gilling. Who was Suttung? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Unlike Fjalar and Galar, Suttung did not keep the Mead of Poetry a secret and boasted to everyone about his new treasure. After learning of the mead's new keeper, which god, disguised as a man called Bolverk, journeyed to Jotunheim to retrieve the vessels? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Bolverk first attempted to gain favour with Suttung's brother, Baugi, so that he might be granted a taste of the mead. What did Bolverk do for Baugi? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Initially denied the mead from Suttung, Bolverk took it by force and made a swift return to Asgard. Into what creature did Bolverk turn himself in order to make this quick getaway? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Before leaving the cave with the mead, the god disguised as Bolverk had fathered a child with the giantess Gunnlod, daughter of Suttung. This child became god of poetry and eloquence. What was his name? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The Mead of Poetry is said to have been formed from the blood of Kvasir, the wisest of all the gods. How did Kvasir come to be?

Answer: He was formed from the spit of the gods

Kvasir was a direct outcome of the war between the Aesir and the Vanir - the two races of warring gods. To learn more about this conflict, please play my quiz, "Norse Myth: Warring Gods". The gods all spat into a jar and Kvasir was formed from their spittle. He was said to be the wisest of them all and he answered questions wherever he went.
2. The blood of Kvasir was spilt due to the jealousy of two brothers - Fjalar and Galar. Of what race were these brothers?

Answer: Dwarves

It was a well known fact that dwarves could not appreciate the riches or goodness of others without desiring it for themselves. As Kvasir went from town to town, all stopped to praise him and ask him questions. He answered all questions about the creation of the universe with simple facts.

When asked his opinion, he did not give a direct answer, but instead usually answered with a question of his own, causing the asker to think for themselves and come to an informed decision.
3. After inviting Kvasir to their cave for a feast, Fjalar and Galar killed the wise god. How was Kvasir killed?

Answer: He was stabbed

It is said that Kvasir did not care for the conversation of the dwarves at the table, as they only spoke of revenge and lust for riches. Kvasir only accepted their invitation to dinner because he did not want to appear rude.

Leading Kvasir to believe that they had a question to ask, the brothers led him deeper into the cave, where he was stabbed repeatedly until dead.
4. The brothers collected the blood which flowed from Kvasir's body in three containers. What did Fjalar and Galar add to the blood to create the Mead of Poetry?

Answer: Honey

Mead, which is made by the fermentation of honey, is a common feature of Norse mythology. To learn more about mead, honey and bees in mythology, feel free to play my quiz, "Stinging Tales From Around the Globe".

The blood of Kvasir was collected in two jars called Son and Bodn and a large cauldron called Odrorir. The mead was formed and it was said that whoever drank from it would become immediately wise. The two brothers now had what they desired, and they kept it a secret in case any others tried to take it from them.
5. Fjalar and Galar's next guests were the giant Gilling and his wife. After an argument, Gilling was also killed by the malicious brothers. In what way was Gilling dispatched?

Answer: He was drowned

The dwarf brothers tricked Gilling into getting into a boat, which they rowed into the middle of a lake, purposefully capsized and drowned the giant, who was not able to swim. The brothers then rowed back to their cave and told Gilling's wife of the "accident". However, the sobbing of the giantess annoyed the brothers, who then killed her by dropping a large stone on her head.
6. Fjalar and Galar were now forced to relinquish the Mead of Poetry as they were threatened by the giant, Suttung, who was seeking vengeance for the death of Gilling. Who was Suttung?

Answer: Gilling's son

Travelling from Jotunheim, Suttung arrived at the dwarves' cave in search of his parents. Knowing the evil and spite of the brothers, Suttung seized them and placed them on an island in a lake, far away from the coast. He told them that when the tide rose they would drown.

In order to escape their deaths, Fjalar and Galar offered their most precious belonging - the Mead of Poetry. Suttung agreed and spared their lives.
7. Unlike Fjalar and Galar, Suttung did not keep the Mead of Poetry a secret and boasted to everyone about his new treasure. After learning of the mead's new keeper, which god, disguised as a man called Bolverk, journeyed to Jotunheim to retrieve the vessels?

Answer: Odin

Since creation, the gods had warred with the giants. The giants were violent, rude and imposing, and the gods could not stand any challenge to their power and tried all they could to keep the giants at bay. Knowing that the Mead of Poetry now dwelt in Jotunheim (the home of the giants), the father of the gods, Odin, felt obliged to retrieve it.
8. Bolverk first attempted to gain favour with Suttung's brother, Baugi, so that he might be granted a taste of the mead. What did Bolverk do for Baugi?

Answer: He worked in Baugi's fields

Odin, disguised as Bolverk, approached a group of workers who were working with their scythes in Baugi's fields. Odin offered to sharpen their scythes, and the workers enthusiastically accepted. Before leaving, Odin threw the valuable hone into the middle of the group of workers.

The workers fought for the hone violently and eventually none were left alive. Baugi was therefore in need of workers and Odin (Bolverk) offered his services.
9. Initially denied the mead from Suttung, Bolverk took it by force and made a swift return to Asgard. Into what creature did Bolverk turn himself in order to make this quick getaway?

Answer: An eagle

Suttung, as Baugi predicted, did not allow Odin to taste any of his mead. Odin refused to take no for an answer, which seemed to irritate the giant Baugi, who planned to kill Odin the first chance he got. After a hole was bored into the mountain where the mead was kept, Baugi tried to stab Odin, but could not as the god had transformed into a snake and had wriggled deep into the hole.

Swallowing the mead, Odin then flew rapidly back to Asgard, whilst being chased by Suttung (also in the form of an eagle). Odin, on approaching, spat the mead into pre-prepared containers laid out by the other gods. However, he accidentally let some spill into Midgard, thus allowing some men the gift of poetry.
10. Before leaving the cave with the mead, the god disguised as Bolverk had fathered a child with the giantess Gunnlod, daughter of Suttung. This child became god of poetry and eloquence. What was his name?

Answer: Bragi

Because Gunnlod was required by her father to stay with the three vessels of mead and to guard it night and day, she had no contact with the outside world, and became immediately besotted with Bolverk, especially after he revealed his true form - Odin. Odin stayed with her for three nights and on the fourth he left her to return to Asgard.

Their son, Bragi, was to become god of poetry and the husband of Idun (the subject of my next quiz). Bragi was born in the mountain and stayed with Gunnlod until he was old enough to go to Asgard.
Source: Author doublemm

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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