Suttung's brother, tricked by Odin in the myth of the mead of poetry.
Baugi (Old Norse Baugi) is a giant and Suttung's brother who plays a key role in Odin's acquisition of the mead of poetry. According to Skáldskaparmál, Odin (disguised as Bolverk) works for Baugi an entire summer in exchange for a sip of Suttung's mead. When the work is done, Suttung refuses to share, and Baugi helps Odin bore through the mountain Hnitbjorg with the auger Rati.
Odin transforms into a serpent and crawls through the hole, while Baugi tries to strike at him with the auger. After this Baugi disappears from the narrative. The myth shows that Baugi, despite his promise, lacked the power to fulfil it, and that Odin ultimately had to rely on cunning to reach the mead.
Sources in the Eddas
- Skáldskaparmál 1-2
- Snorri recounts how Odin worked for Baugi and with his help bored through Hnitbjorg.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Baugi is Suttung's brother who promised Odin a sip of mead in exchange for labour (Skáldskaparmál).
He helped Odin bore through Hnitbjorg with the auger Rati.
B What we think we know
Whether Baugi's treacherous strike with Rati is an addition by Snorri or belongs to older tradition is uncertain.
C What we do not know
Baugi's role outside the mead myth lacks attestation.