The Kalevala · Chapter
Rune XIX: Ilmarinen's Wooing explained
Ilmarinen arrives at Pohyola to woo the Maiden of the Rainbow.
What happens
Ilmarinen arrives at Pohyola to woo the Maiden of the Rainbow. Louhi sets three impossible tasks: plowing a field of serpents, bridling Tuoni's bear, and catching Manala's wolf. With the maiden's advice, Ilmarinen forges magical tools and completes the tasks. However, Louhi still refuses, demanding he catch a pike from Tuoni's river. Ilmarinen fails and returns home, lamenting his age and rejected suit. Meanwhile, a child recounts how the maiden's beauty was discovered, and Wainamoinen warns old men against wooing.
Themes in this chapter
Craftsmanship and Creation
Ilmarinen forges a golden plowshare, silver beam, copper handles, and a steel bridle, demonstrating the power of skilled creation to overcome supernatural obstacles.
Love and Marriage
The entire chapter revolves around Ilmarinen's quest to marry the Maiden of the Rainbow, facing tests set by Louhi and ultimately failing, highlighting the trials of courtship.
Fate and Tragedy
Ilmarinen's failure and Wainamoinen's lament about aging and rejection underscore the tragic inevitability of time and lost opportunity in love.
Characters to notice
- Ilmarinen
The hero-blacksmith who undertakes three magical tasks to win the Maiden of the Rainbow, forging tools and using magic to overcome serpents, bears, and wolves.
- Louhi
The hostess of Pohyola who sets impossible tasks for Ilmarinen, demanding he plow the serpent-field, bridle Tuoni's bear, and catch Manala's wolf before granting his bride.
- Wainamoinen
The ancient minstrel who appears at the end, lamenting his age and rejected suit, and issuing a decree that old men should not go wooing.
- Ukko
Invoked as the supreme deity; Ilmarinen calls upon Ukko to smite the serpents, and the maiden swore her oath before Ukko.
- Aino
Referenced indirectly as the 'Maid of Beauty' and 'rainbow-daughter' of Pohyola, the object of Ilmarinen's wooing.
Key passages
“I shall not in all my lifetime Taste the drink that thou hast brought me, Till I see the Maid of Beauty, Fairy Maiden of the Rainbow; I will drink with her in gladness, For whose hand I journey hither.”
Ilmarinen refuses Louhi's drink until he sees the maiden he came to woo.
Ilmarinen's determination to see his betrothed before accepting hospitality.
“Only canst thou woo my daughter, Only canst thou win the maiden, When thou hast by aid of magic Plowed the serpent-field of Hisi, Plowed the field of hissing vipers, Touching neither beam nor handles.”
Louhi sets the first task: plow a field of serpents using magic without touching the plow's beam or handles.
Louhi's impossible condition to test Ilmarinen's worth.
“Forge thyself a golden plowshare, Forge the beam of shining silver, And of copper forge the handles; Then with ease, by aid of magic, Thou canst plow the field of serpents, Plow the hissing soil of Hisi.”
The maiden advises Ilmarinen to forge a golden plowshare, silver beam, and copper handles to complete the task.
The maiden's practical guidance helps Ilmarinen succeed.
“I have passed the age for wooing, Woe is me, rejected suitor, Woe is me, a witless minstrel, That I did not woo and marry, When my face was young and winsome, When my hand was warm and welcome!”
Wainamoinen laments that he is too old to woo and regrets not marrying when he was young.
Wainamoinen's sorrowful reflection on aging and lost opportunities.