Johannes Ewald was a Danish poet. He was born in 1743 at Copenhagen and died in 1781. After studying theology at Copenhagen University he ran away and joined the Prussian army during the Seven Years' War, and soon deserted for the Austrian army and after his return home in 1760 wrote an elegy on the death of Frederick V of Denmark which was received with general admiration, and awoke in himself the consciousness of poetic talent. His reputation rapidly increased with the publication of his tragedies, The Death of Balder, Adam and Eve, Rolfkrage, etc; and his odes and songs, notable amongst which are: King Christian, Liden Gunver, Rungsted's Lyksalighed. Research Johannes Ewald
Sydney Dobell was an English poet. He was born in 1824 and died in 1874. His first poem, The Roman, appeared in 1850, and was favourably received by the critics. Among his other works are Balder, Sonnets on the War, England in Time of War, etc. Research Sydney Dobell
The Aesir were the principal gods in Norse mythology. They lived in Asgard. Four of the gods were common to the Germanic nations: Odin, chief of the Aesir; Frigg Odin's wife; Tyr the god of war; and Thor the god of thunder. Some of the other important Aesir were Balder, Jord, Heimdall, and Loki. Research Aesir
In Norse mythology, Balder or Baldur was the son of Odin and Freya and husband of Nanna, and the best, wisest, and most loved of all the gods. His mother took an oath from every creature, and even from every inanimate object, that they would not harm Balder, but omitted the mistletoe. Balder was therefore deemed invulnerable, and the other gods in sport flung stones and shot arrows at him without harming him. But the evil god Loki fashioned an arrow from the mistletoe and got Balder's blind brother Hoder to shoot it, himself guiding his aim. Balder fell dead, pierced to the heart, to the deep grief of all the gods. He is believed to be a personification of the brightness and beneficence of the sun. Research Balder
In Norse mythology, Hermod is a son of Odin and messenger of the gods. He rode to Hel's realm after the death of Balder to try and convince her to let Balder come back from the dead. Research Hermod
In Norse mythology, Loki was one of the Aesir (the principal gods), but the cause of dissension among the gods, and the slayer of Balder. He became a member of the Aesir when Odin made Loki his blood brother. His children are the Midgard serpent Jormungander, which girdles the Earth; the wolfFenris; and Hela, goddess of death. Research Loki
In Norse mythology, Nanna is a moon goddess. She is the wife of Balder and mother of Forseti. She died of heartache after Balder's death and was burned with him on his funeral boat. Research Nanna
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Abbreviations
Research Johannes Ewald
