Ratatosk (other)

In Norse mythology, Ratatoskr (Old Norse, generally considered to mean "drill-tooth"Orchard (1997:129), Simek (2007:261), and Byock (2005:173). or "bore-tooth"Lindow (2001:259).) is a squirrel who runs up and down the world tree Yggdrasil to carry messages between the eagles perched atop it and the serpent Níðhöggr who dwells beneath one of the three roots of the tree. Ratatoskr is attested in the ''Poetic Edda'', compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the ''Prose Edda'', written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson.

Etymology

The name ''Ratatoskr'' contains two elements: ''rata-'' and ''-toskr''. The element ''toskr'' is generally held to mean "tusk". Guðbrandur Vigfússon theorized that the ''rati-'' element means "the traveller". He says that the name of the legendary drill Rati may feature the same term. According to Vigfússon, ''Ratatoskr'' means "tusk the traveller" or "the climber tusk."Guðbrandur (1874:483).

Sophus Bugge theorized that the name ''Ratatoskr'' is a loanword from Old English meaning "Rat-tooth." Bugge's basis hinges on the fact that the ''-toskr'' element of the compound does not appear anywhere else in Old Norse. Bugge proposed that the ''-toskr'' element is a reformation of the Old English word ''tūsc'' (Old Frisian ''tusk'') and, in turn, that the element ''Rata-'' represents Old English ''ræt'' ("rat").Sturtevant (1956:111).

According to Albert Sturtevant, " sfar as the element ''Rata-'' is concerned, Bugge's hypothesis has no valid foundation in view of the fact that the ld Norseword ''Rata'' (gen. form of ''Rati''*) is used in '' Háv mál' (106, 1) to signify the instrument which Odin employed for ''boring'' his way through the rocks in quest of the poet's mead .. and that "''Rati*'' must then be considered a native ld Norseword meaning "The Borer, Gnawer" ...

Sturtevant says that Bugge's theory regarding the element ''-toskr'' may appear to be supported by the fact that the word does not appear elsewhere in Old Norse. However, Sturtevant says that the Old Norse proper name ''Tunne'' (derived from Proto-Norse ''*Tunþē'') refers to "a person who is characterized as having some peculiar sort of ''tooth''" and theorizes a Proto-Germanic form of ''-toskr''. Sturtevant concludes that "the fact that the ld Norseword occurs only in the name ''Rata-toskr'' is no valid evidence against this assumption, for there are many ld Norse''hapax legomena'' of native origin, as is attested by the equivalents in the Mod rnScandinavian dialects."Sturtevant (1956:111–112). Modern scholars have accepted this etymology, listing the name ''Ratatoskr'' as meaning "drill-tooth" (Jesse Byock, Andy Orchard, Rudolf Simek) or "bore-tooth" (John Lindow).

Attestations

In the ''Poetic Edda'' poem ''Grímnismál'', the god Odin (disguised as '' Grímnir'') says that Ratatoskr runs up and down Yggdrasil bringing messages between the eagle perched atop it and Níðhöggr below it:

Ratatoskr is described in the ''Prose Edda''s ''Gylfaginning'' chapter 16, in which High states that

An eagle sits at the top of the ash, and it has knowledge of many things. Between its eyes sits the hawk called Vedrfolnir .. The squirrel called Ratatosk ..runs up and down the ash. He tells slanderous gossip, provoking the eagle and Nidhogg.Byock (2005:26).

Theories

According to Rudolf Simek, "the squirrel probably only represents an embellishing detail to the mythological picture of the world-ash in ''Grímnismál''.Simek (2007:261). Hilda Ellis Davidson, describing the world tree, states the squirrel is said to gnaw at it—furthering a continual destruction and re-growth cycle, and posits the tree symbolizes ever-changing existence.Davidson (1993:68–69). John Lindow points out that Yggdrasil is described as rotting on one side and as being chewed on by four harts and Níðhöggr, and that, according to the account in ''Gylfaginning'', it also bears verbal hostility in the fauna it supports. Lindow adds that "in the sagas, a person who helps stir up or keep feuds alive by ferrying words of malice between the participants is seldom one of high status, which may explain the assignment of this role in the mythology to a relatively insignificant animal".

Richard W. Thorington Jr. and Katie Ferrell theorize that "the role of Ratatosk probably derived from the habit of European tree squirrels (''Sciurus vulgaris'') to give a scolding alarm call in response to danger. It takes little imagination for you to think that the squirrel is saying nasty things about you."Thorington Jr. and Ferrel (2006:142).

In popular culture

Ratatoskr is a character in Marvel comics, first introduced by Ryan North in The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) Issue #7 and #8, with subsequent appearances in the Squirrel Girl War of the Realms tie-in issues
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #43
throug
#46
and the Squirrel Girl fiction podcast
Marvel's Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show

In the video game '' La-Mulana 2'', Ratatoskr is a recurring boss enemy. While initially weak, he becomes stronger and gains more abilities in subsequent battles. Within the game's mythos, Ratatoskr is an illusion created by Hræsvelgr, who is trapped in the Eternal Prison.

Ratatoskas (sic) are characters in Katherine Rundell's novel Impossible Creatures.https://bookmurmuration.com/impossible-creatures/

Ratatoskr is an original character from the mobile game Fire Emblem Heroes and is a lead character in the 8th book of the story.

Ratatoskr is featured as a prominent side character in the 2022 video game God of War Ragnarök as well as tangentially in the preceding title God of War.

Songs about Ratatoskr are featured on Ýdalir the sixth album of Icelandic viking metal band Skálmöld and on ''Fimbulvinter'', the third album of Swedish viking metal band Brothers of Metal.

Notes

References

* Bellows, Henry Adams (Trans.) (1936). ''The Poetic Edda''. Princeton University Press. New York: The American-Scandinavian Foundation.
* Byock, Jesse (Trans.) (2005). ''The Prose Edda''. Penguin Classics.
* Davidson, Hilda Roderick Ellis (1993).
The Lost Beliefs of Northern Europe
'. Routledge.
* Guðbrandur Vigfússon (1874). ''An Icelandic-English Dictionary: Based on the Ms. Collections of the Late Richard Cleasby''. Clarendon Press.
* Lindow, John (2001).
Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs
'. Oxford University Press.
* Orchard, Andy (1997). ''Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend''. Cassell.
* Simek, Rudolf (2007) translated by Angela Hall. ''Dictionary of Northern Mythology''. D.S. Brewer
* Sturtevant, Albert Morey (1956). "Three Old Norse Words: Gamban, Ratatoskr, and Gymir" as collected in Sturtevant, Albert Morey (Editor) (1956). ''Scandinavian Studies, August 1956, volume 28, number 3.
* Thorington Jr. Richard W. and Ferrell, Katie (2006). ''Squirrels: The Animal Answer Guide''. Johns Hopkins University Press.
* Thorpe, Benjamin (Trans.) (1907). ''The Elder Edda of Saemund Sigfusson''. Norrœna Society.

External links

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Fictional characters introduced in the 13th century
Animals in Norse mythology
Mythological rodents
Talking animals in mythology
Squirrels in human culture
Yggdrasil