Common Themes Of Scandinavian Folklore

Scandinavian Folklore Magical superstitious stories and whimsical creatures define Scandinavian folklore. Tales of great woe and triumph spread a sense of awe to its readers and envelop them with cultural significances. Scandinavian folklore has been passed down for generations with regional customs and superstitions filled with tales of magical and horrendous creatures. Various themes can be found through folklore. It’s themes range from magic, evil creatures, spirits, mischief, lessons, and droll, or humorous, stories. The vast amount of differing themes give Scandinavian folklore a unique and interesting Scandinavian folklore originates from Scandinavia, a region made up of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark. The stories were shared and made by locals, who filled them with culture and popular creatures, such as fairies and trolls. These tales, often made by common folk, were shared in small communities and with passing …show more content…
In one tale, The Shepherd of Silfrunarstadir, a troll lives in a cave where she eats travellers and passerbys. She meets a young shepherd boy named Sigurdur, and threatens to eat him. He, instead, offers her his sheep and lamb. This exchange happens once a year, for three years. On the third year, the troll takes his wethers and then kidnaps the boy also. She takes him to her cave and demands that he skins the sheep. He willingly follows her orders and she asks him to sharpen her axe so that she might kill him. Sigurdur does as she commands and faithfully hands her the axe, which she drops, and exclaims her surprise and happiness at his attitude and actions. The troll tells him that he will live to an old age and tells him to do various things, which all lead up to him inheriting the treasures in her cave. He leaves and does as the troll tells him, and achieves good fortune. (Boos