Fenrir: Ulf or Vargr?
(Or, I spend too much time analyzing poetic language) When looking at various writings from around the periods of the eddas, we notice something interesting when it comes to wolves specifically. There are several kennings that are used to describe them in writings. Among this is the word "vargr", which (as opposed to ulfr) carries a rather negative connotation. Vargr, whether originally or as language adapted, has the connotation of a law breaker, outcast, predator, or evil person. This being said, it would make sense for Fenrir, who is set to devour Odin to be referred to with this word, right? Wrong. Over the past week or so, I've dug through just about every written reference I can find to Fenrir and, when referring to him explicitly, he is almost always referred to as a variation of Ulfr. In fact he is referred to as: Fenris Fenrir Fenrisúlfr/Fenrisulfa Freki /Freka Ulf/Ulfr/Ulfgi/Ulfinn/Ulfsins/Ulfinum/Ulfrinn Valdyri Megi Hveðrungs Vitnis/Vitni Hróðvitnis And even in kennings for others he is almost always used with either Ulf, Vitni, Fenrir/Fenris, or Hróðvitnis (though a special shout out to Gleipnir's Mouthful as a kenning). Which shows a fairly neutral tone when writing about him. This being said, for such a monster he really isn't portrayed as one, even when devouring Odin and being slain by Vidarr. (Note: I will say, when leading up to him devouring Odin, the words Freki and Freka are used. Freki, being Odin's wolf, being used as a kenning for Fenrir seems oddly appropriate, especially considering that while Odin gives Freki the food he does not eat, he will give himself as "food" for Fenrir to "eat" in that moment. I like the poetic irony). Connotations aside, this is probably due to poetic language being easier to flow with Ulf in a lot of ways, but I still think it's interesting considering the way that a chunk of modern heathens speak about Fenrir in particular. This all being said I can find one certain reference to Fenrir being referred to as a varg and one potential reference. Þórsdrápa 5: "And the ones accustomed to walking went to the sea of the battle-wolf of the splendid sky-shield" Here's a very explicit reference where "gunnvargs" is used to refer to Fenrir as the wolf who battles the sun (splendid sky shield). The second is in Voluspa 39: "There Nithhogg sucked | the blood of the slain, And the wolf tore men; | would you know yet more?" This reference is a bit more ambiguous to me. Is Fenrir bound at this time? Is he let lose in Nastrond? Is it even Fenrir that's being referred to at all, or potentially Garmr? In Voluspa 40, we also hear of the mother of Fenrir's children in the Ironwood, is he also in the Ironwood at this time? I think there's a lot of questions that will go unanswered in this regard. I know there's a tendency to try a pigeonhole different entities into the same box, as I can't count the times I've seen Fenrir=Garmr=Hati=Skoll because there can apparently only be one wolf, but in this case I don't think this is happened. I think it's something that will stay kind of ambiguous. It could be Fenrir, or Garmr, or a secret third canine who we've never heard of. I do think it would be interesting if it was Fenrir, as Nastrond punishes murderers and oath-breakers and we know that Fenrir is definitely not a fan of people who break oaths. All in all, I think in understanding how The Wolf is referred to in writing, we can hope to reflect and understand him more in general. Whether he is ulfr, vargr, vitnis, or valdyri he still is someone to respect and honor in our own ways. Hail to He Who is the Greatest of Wolves, hail to Fenrir!
