The Kalevala
Reading and Writing Workshop: The Kalevala and Common Motifs in Epic Poetry
Session 1: The Creation Motif
Primary Reading:
Writing Prompt: Compare the creation of Väinämöinen in The Kalevala to the cosmic birth from chaos in The Enuma Elish. How does each epic depict the relationship between creation and the divine?
Session 2: The Wise Hero Motif
Primary Reading:
Writing Prompt: Analyze how Väinämöinen and Odysseus each use wit to overcome dangerous adversaries. How is wisdom portrayed as heroic in each tale?
Session 3: The Magical Artifact Motif
Primary Reading:
Writing Prompt: Compare the symbolic significance of the Sampo and the Plant of Immortality. How do these artifacts represent power, fortune, or the human desire to transcend ordinary life?
Session 4: The Descent and Return Motif
Primary Reading:
Writing Prompt: How does the underworld journey in The Kalevala compare to Aeneas’ katabasis in The Aeneid? What role does this journey play in shaping the hero’s wisdom or destiny?
Session 5: The Contest for a Maiden MotifPrimary Reading:
Writing Prompt: In what ways do the heroes in The Kalevala and The Nibelungenlied undergo trials to prove their worthiness? How do these contests reflect cultural values?
Session 6: The Trickster and the Shapeshifter
Primary Reading:
Writing Prompt: Examine Kullervo and Krishna as tricksters. How do their actions challenge or uphold heroic values in their respective epics?
Session 7: The Lamentation and Heroic Death
Primary Reading:
Writing Prompt: Compare the tragic fate of Kullervo to Beowulf’s heroic death. How do these deaths reinforce the values or themes of their respective epics?
Session 8: Epic Closure and Legacy
Primary Reading:
Writing Prompt: Discuss how The Kalevala and The Divine Comedy conclude their epic journeys. How is the idea of legacy portrayed, and what messages are left for the reader?
Session 1: The Creation Motif
Primary Reading:
- The Kalevala, Runo I: The Birth of Väinämöinen
- The Enuma Elish (Babylonian Creation Epic)
Writing Prompt: Compare the creation of Väinämöinen in The Kalevala to the cosmic birth from chaos in The Enuma Elish. How does each epic depict the relationship between creation and the divine?
Session 2: The Wise Hero Motif
Primary Reading:
- The Kalevala, Runo III-IV: Väinämöinen’s Magic and Duel with Joukahainen
- The Odyssey, Book IX: Odysseus and the Cyclops
Writing Prompt: Analyze how Väinämöinen and Odysseus each use wit to overcome dangerous adversaries. How is wisdom portrayed as heroic in each tale?
Session 3: The Magical Artifact Motif
Primary Reading:
- The Kalevala, Runo X: The Forging of the Sampo
- The Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet XI: The Plant of Immortality
Writing Prompt: Compare the symbolic significance of the Sampo and the Plant of Immortality. How do these artifacts represent power, fortune, or the human desire to transcend ordinary life?
Session 4: The Descent and Return Motif
Primary Reading:
- The Kalevala, Runo XIV-XV: Väinämöinen’s Journey to Tuonela (the land of the dead)
- The Aeneid, Book VI: Aeneas’ Journey to the Underworld
Writing Prompt: How does the underworld journey in The Kalevala compare to Aeneas’ katabasis in The Aeneid? What role does this journey play in shaping the hero’s wisdom or destiny?
Session 5: The Contest for a Maiden MotifPrimary Reading:
- The Kalevala, Runo XVIII: The Contest for the Maiden of Pohjola
- The Nibelungenlied, Adventure IV: Siegfried’s Contest to Win Kriemhild
Writing Prompt: In what ways do the heroes in The Kalevala and The Nibelungenlied undergo trials to prove their worthiness? How do these contests reflect cultural values?
Session 6: The Trickster and the Shapeshifter
Primary Reading:
- The Kalevala, Runo XXVI: Kullervo the Tragic Trickster
- The Mahabharata, Story of Krishna (selections from Sabha Parva)
Writing Prompt: Examine Kullervo and Krishna as tricksters. How do their actions challenge or uphold heroic values in their respective epics?
Session 7: The Lamentation and Heroic Death
Primary Reading:
- The Kalevala, Runo XXXV: The Death of Kullervo
- Beowulf, Final Battle and Beowulf’s Death (lines 2711–3182)
Writing Prompt: Compare the tragic fate of Kullervo to Beowulf’s heroic death. How do these deaths reinforce the values or themes of their respective epics?
Session 8: Epic Closure and Legacy
Primary Reading:
- The Kalevala, Runo L: The Departure of Väinämöinen
- The Divine Comedy, Paradiso, Canto XXXIII (Dante’s Vision and Farewell)
Writing Prompt: Discuss how The Kalevala and The Divine Comedy conclude their epic journeys. How is the idea of legacy portrayed, and what messages are left for the reader?