[1]. The phrases “Othin spake,” “Frigg spake,” etc., appear in abbreviated form in both manuscripts. Frigg: Othin’s wife; cf. Voluspo, 34 and note. Vafthruthnir (“the Mighty in Riddles”): nothing is known of this giant beyond what is told in this poem.
[2]. Heerfather (“Father of the Host”): Othin.
[5]. This single narrative stanza is presumably a later interpolation. [[70]]Im: the name appears to be corrupt, but we know nothing of any son of Vafthruthnir. Ygg (“the Terrible”): Othin.
[8]. Gagnrath (“the Gain-Counsellor”): Othin on his travels always assumes a name other than his own. [[71]]
[10]. This stanza sounds very much like many of those in the first part of the Hovamol, and may have been introduced here from some such source.
[12]. Skinfaxi: “Shining-Mane.” [[72]]
[13]. Here, and in general throughout the poem, the two-line introductory formulæ are abbreviated in the manuscripts.
[14]. Hrimfaxi: “Frosty-Mane.”
[16]. Ifing: there is no other reference to this river, which never freezes, so that the giants cannot cross it. [[73]]
[17]. Surt: the ruler of the fire-world (Muspellsheim), who comes to attack the gods in the last battle; cf. Voluspo, 52.