# Rune XII: Kyllikki’s Broken Vow explained — The Kalevala

> Chapter companion for The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot.

## What happens

Lemminkainen discovers that his wife Kyllikki has broken her vow by attending village dances in his absence. Enraged and dejected, he resolves to go to war in Northland despite the pleas of his mother and Kyllikki. His mother warns him of the dangers of Lapland witchcraft, but Lemminkainen boasts of his own magical powers and sets off, armed and determined, ignoring all entreaties.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Kyllikki's broken vow and Lemminkainen's jealous reaction highlight the fragility of marital trust.

### Revenge and Retribution

Lemminkainen's decision to go to war is driven by a desire for retribution against Kyllikki's perceived betrayal.

### Power of Song and Magic

Lemminkainen boasts of his magical abilities and invokes Ukko for protection, emphasizing the role of magic in conflict.

## Character check-ins

### Lemminkainen

Enraged by Kyllikki's broken vow, he resolves to go to war in Northland, ignoring his mother's warnings.

### Kyllikki

Breaks her vow by attending village dances; later begs forgiveness but is rejected by Lemminkainen.

### Ainikki

Lemminkainen's sister who informs him of Kyllikki's infidelity.

### Louhi

Referenced indirectly as a Pohya-witch; the mother warns Lemminkainen of her witchcraft.

### Ukko

Invoked by Lemminkainen for protection and for his fire-sword and lightning arrows.

## Key lines

> To the village went Kyllikki, To the dance of merry maidens.

Kyllikki went to the village to join the maidens in dancing.

_This act breaks her vow and triggers Lemminkainen's anger._

> I discredit dreams of women, Have no faith in vows of maidens!

Lemminkainen dismisses Kyllikki's dream as untrustworthy and rejects her vows.

_Shows his stubbornness and distrust after the betrayal._

> Do not go, my son beloved, Ignorant of Pohya-witchcraft, To the distant homes of Northland Till thou hast the art of magic.

His mother warns him not to go to Northland without mastering magic to counter the witches there.

_Highlights the danger of Lapland sorcery and the mother's protective role._

> Ukko, thou O God above me, Thou the father of creation... Grant me now thy mighty fire-sword, Give me here thy burning arrows.

Lemminkainen prays to Ukko for a fire-sword and lightning arrows to protect himself.

_Demonstrates his reliance on divine aid and magical weapons._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xii-kyllikki-s-broken-vow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters