In numerous studies throughout the centuries, the figure of Óðinn has been read in a surprising variety of ways. 2006, Annette Lassen, “Textual figures of Óðinn”, in Anders Andrén, Kristina Jennbert, Catharina Raudvere, editors, Old Norse Religion in Long-Term Perspectives: Origins, Changes, and Interactions […], Lund: Nordic Academic Press, →ISBN, page 280, column 1:
The poem relates Óðinn’s ride on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir to Niflhel, the abode of the dead, after the gods and goddesses had met to discuss Baldr’s threatening dreams. Óðinn first encounters a hellhound. 1993, Fredrik J. Heinemann, “Baldrs draumar”, in Phillip Pulsiano, Kirsten Wolf, et al., editors, Medieval Scandinavia: An Encyclopedia, New York, N.Y.; London: Garland Publishing, →ISBN, page 28, column 1:
We must conclude that Óðinn found the runes that had been carved into the root of the World Tree by the Norns, that this is what he sees as he looks down, and that it is from this realm that he screamingly falls back to the place where he hangs. 2020, Maria Kvilhuag, “Óðinn Uprooting the Runes”, in The Seed of Yggdrasill, [Chilliwack, B.C.]: The Three Little Sisters, →ISBN, page 186: