Balder Dead: A Poetic Exploration of Norse Mythology and Philosophy

Exploring Matthew Arnold's "Balder Dead"

"Balder Dead" is a significant work by the English poet Matthew Arnold, published in 1855. This narrative poem explores the Norse myth of Balder, the god of light and purity, whose death is mourned by all creation. Arnold structures the poem into three parts—'Sending,' 'Journey to the Dead,' and 'Funeral'—each depicting a phase of the mythological events. The poem is composed in blank verse, utilizing unrhymed iambic pentameter, a style that reflects Arnold's classical influences, particularly the work of Virgil, whose epic poetry was known for its formal elegance and expressive simplicity.

The Mythological Context of Balder's Demise

The story within "Balder Dead" is based on the sorrowful Norse myth of Balder's death. Balder, the benevolent son of Odin and Frigg, is treasured by the Aesir gods for his goodness and beauty. His death is precipitated by the malevolent trickery of Loki, who discovers Balder's singular weakness: a weapon made of mistletoe. Despite Frigg's precautions to protect her son by extracting promises from all entities not to harm him, the mistletoe remains an exception. Loki cunningly guides the blind god Hoder, Balder's brother, to strike Balder with a mistletoe projectile, resulting in Balder's tragic demise.

The Aesir's Efforts to Resurrect Balder

Following Balder's death, the Aesir gods are engulfed in despair, but Odin, the patriarch of the gods, insists on seeking justice for Loki's betrayal and arranging Balder's funeral rites. Arnold's poem portrays Hoder's remorse and his consultation with Frea (Frigg), who proposes a daunting quest to Hell to entreat Hela, the queen of the underworld and Loki's daughter, for Balder's release. Frea advises Hoder to delegate this perilous mission to the first deity he encounters. Hermod, the swift messenger of the gods and Odin's son, unwittingly takes on this quest. Concurrently, Balder's spouse, Nanna, is visited by Balder's spirit and chooses to join him in death after Frea severs her life thread.

Hermod's Perilous Journey and Hela's Condition

The poem's second part, "Journey to the Dead," chronicles Hermod's grueling nine-night ride to Hell on Sleipner, Odin's eight-legged steed. Upon arrival, Hermod implores Hela to allow Balder's return to the living. Hela, recognizing her own ostracism as Loki's progeny, agrees to release Balder on one condition: all beings in the world must weep for him. Hermod conveys the respectful treatment Balder receives in Hell and Hela's stipulation to the Aesir during the funeral proceedings.

The Lamentation for Balder and the Thwarted Resurrection

In the concluding part, "Funeral," the gods and mythic figures pay tribute to Balder, extolling his virtues and lamenting his loss. As Balder's ship is set aflame in a ceremonial pyre, Odin seeks insight from Mimir's well regarding Hela's sincerity and contemplates a forceful recovery of Balder. However, Frea dissuades him from defying the decrees of destiny. The cosmos grieves for Balder, but Loki, in the guise of an old woman, withholds his tears, thereby sabotaging Hela's offer. Hermod's return to Hell reveals Balder reconciled to his fate, in the company of Nanna and Hoder, as they await the foretold rebirth of the heavens following Ragnarok.

Analyzing the Themes in "Balder Dead"

"Balder Dead" is imbued with profound themes such as the inexorability of fate, the finality of death, and the aspiration for rebirth. Arnold's poem serves as a contemplation on the disillusionment prevalent in the mid-19th century, drawing analogies between the Norse deities' ordeal and the societal upheavals of his era. The narrative also functions as an allegory for Christian beliefs, with Balder's parallels to Christ and the anticipation of a renewed existence after Ragnarok echoing Christian eschatological concepts. Arnold's restrained diction and the poem's measured cadence emphasize these themes, inviting readers to consider the deeper philosophical implications of Balder's story.