Ragnarsdrápa

Ragnarsdrápa (Old Norse: ‘Drápa about Ragnarr’) is a skaldic poem attributed to the oldest known skald, Bragi inn gamli (‘the old’) Boddason, who lived in the 9th century. Bragi describes the myths depicted on a decorated shield given to him by a certain Ragnar.

The poem is often compared with other early Skaldic examples of ekphrasis, especially Haustlöng and Húsdrápa, which also describe artworks depicting mythological scenes. Like Haustlöng, it uses archaic and complex kennings in a manner that strains the syntax.