Chapter 10

Direct dýra munnshöfn

Direct speech is a vital part of Old Norse sagas and poetry, serving not only to set the scene and provide background information but also to drive and transform the narrative. In Eddic poetry, direct speech and its accompanying quotatives follow consistent patterns, with kvað (from kveða, “to say/claim”) being the most frequently used. In contrast, early skaldic poetry uses kvað sparingly, with few instances of other quotatives. This paper provides an overview of quotatives in Eddic and skaldic poetry, identifying key differences in their frequency, positioning, and narrative roles.

I argue that the lack of quotatives in early skaldic poetry is linked to the constraints of the dróttkvætt meter and the distinct narrative goals of praise poetry. However, in later Christian skaldic poetry, the use of quotatives becomes more frequent, reflecting a shift toward a narrative style resembling Eddic poetry. These findings highlight the interplay between metrical form, narrative strategy, and cultural context in Old Norse poetic traditions.