Rune XIV: Death of Lemminkainen explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Heroism and Quest

  Lemminkainen undertakes a series of heroic tasks—capturing the moose of Hisi, bridling the flaming horse, and hunting the swan of Tuoni—demonstrating the archetypal hero's journey.

• Fate and Tragedy

  Despite his successes, Lemminkainen's fate is sealed by Louhi's final, deadly test, leading to his death in the river of Tuoni.

• Nature and the Landscape

  The chapter is rich with descriptions of the Finnish wilderness—snow-fields, forests, mountains, and rivers—and the spirits that inhabit them.

Characters to notice

• Lemminkainen

  The reckless hero undertakes three tests set by Louhi: capturing the moose of Hisi, bridling the flaming horse, and hunting the swan of Tuoni; he succeeds in the first two but meets his death at the river of Tuoni.

• Louhi

  The hostess of Pohyola sets increasingly difficult tasks for Lemminkainen as the price for her daughter's hand, ultimately sending him to his death.

• Ukko

  The supreme god is invoked by Lemminkainen for aid; he sends iron hail to subdue the flaming horse of Hisi.

• Tapio

  The forest god is called upon by Lemminkainen for favor and guidance during the hunt for the moose of Hisi.

• Mielikki

  The forest-mother is invoked by Lemminkainen to open Tapio's chambers and provide gold and silver for the hunt.

• Tellervo

  Tapio's lovely daughter is glimpsed by Lemminkainen in the forest mansion, dressed in golden raiment.

• Hiisi

  The wicked entity whose moose and horse are the objects of Lemminkainen's quests; his realms are repeatedly mentioned.

• Tuoni

  The god of the underworld; his river is the location of Lemminkainen's final, fatal test.

Key passages

• “Lemminkainen, much disheartened, Deeply thought and long considered, What to do, what course to follow, Whether best to leave the wild-moose In the fastnesses of Hisi, And return to Kalevala, Or a third time hunt the ranger, Hoping thus to bring him captive, Thus return at last a victor To the forest home of Louhi, To the joy of all her daughters, To the wood-nymph’s happy fireside.”

  Lemminkainen, feeling discouraged, pondered his options: either abandon the moose hunt and go back to Kalevala, or try once more to capture the beast and return triumphantly to Louhi's home, delighting her daughters and the wood-nymphs.

  Lemminkainen's internal conflict before the third hunt for the moose of Hisi.

• “Ukko, thou O God above me, Thou Creator of the heavens, Put my snow-shoes well in order, And endow them both with swiftness, That I rapidly may journey Over marshes, over snow-fields, Over lowlands, over highlands, Through the realms of wicked Hisi, Through the distant plains of Lapland, Through the paths of Lempo’s wild-moose, To the forest hills of Juutas.”

  Lemminkainen prays to Ukko, asking him to prepare his snowshoes and grant them speed so he can travel swiftly through the lands of Hisi, Lapland, and Juutas to hunt the wild moose.

  Lemminkainen's prayer to Ukko for aid in his journey.

• “I have caught the moose of Hisi, In the Metsola-dominions, Give, O hostess, give thy daughter, Give to me thy fairest virgin, Bride of mine to be hereafter.”

  Lemminkainen announces to Louhi that he has captured the moose of Hisi and demands her daughter as his bride.

  Lemminkainen's successful completion of the first task and his demand for Louhi's daughter.

• “I will give to thee my daughter, For thy wife my fairest maiden, When for me thou’lt put a bridle On the flaming horse of Hisi, Rapid messenger of Lempo, On the Hisi-plains and pastures.”

  Louhi responds that she will give her daughter only if Lemminkainen can bridle the fire-breathing horse of Hisi, a swift steed of Lempo.

  Louhi sets the second task for Lemminkainen.

• “I will only give my daughter, Give to thee my fairest virgin, Bride of thine to be forever, When for me the swan thou killest In the river of Tuoni, Swimming in the black death-river, In the sacred stream and whirlpool; Thou canst try one crossbow only, But one arrow from thy quiver.”

  Louhi sets the final condition: Lemminkainen must kill the swan in the river of Tuoni, using only one crossbow and one arrow.

  Louhi's third and fatal test for Lemminkainen.