The Death of Balder

audiobook

The Death of Balder

by Johannes Ewald

EN·~1 hours·7 chapters

Chapters

7 total
1

PREFACE TO THE TRANSLATION.

1:09
2

THE PERSONS.

0:15
3

ACT THE FIRST.

21:07
4

ACT THE SECOND.

28:41
5

ACT THE THIRD.

28:59
6

EXPLANATION OF THE MYTHOLOGICAL WORDS AND NAMES.

7:40
7

Footnotes:

0:14

Description

In this strikingly lyrical tragedy the ancient Norse world comes alive amid the stark pine‑wooded peaks of Norway, where jagged rocks and lingering snow form a haunting backdrop. The story opens with the god‑like brothers Balder and Thor, each armed and poised on distant stones, their dialogue a blend of heroic boasting and deep, resonant poetry. Their voices echo through the mountains, setting a tone that is both grand and intimately human.

Balder is a tormented soul, haunted by unrequited love for the proud Nanna and plagued by doubts about his own strength and destiny. He confides his anguish to Thor, whose thunderous presence offers stern counsel yet reveals a fragile brotherly bond. Their exchange teeters between mythic grandeur and raw vulnerability, promising a compelling exploration of love, honor, and the weight of divine expectation.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~1 hours (84K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2004-10-27

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Johannes Ewald

Johannes Ewald

1743–1781

A major voice in 18th-century Danish literature, this poet and playwright helped bring Nordic legend and deep personal feeling into modern Danish writing. He is still remembered for the words of “Kong Christian stod ved højen mast,” a song from his drama that became one of Denmark’s national anthems.

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