Page "Bragi" Paragraph 13

In the poem Eiríksmál Odin, in Valhalla, hears the coming of the dead Norwegian king Eric Bloodaxe and his host, and bids the heroes Sigmund and Sinfjötli rise to greet him.

Bragi is then mentioned, questioning how Odin knows that it is Eric and why Odin has let such a king die.

In the poem Hákonarmál, Hákon the Good is taken to Valhalla by the valkyrie Göndul and Odin sends Hermóðr and Bragi to greet him.

In these poems Bragi could be either a god or a dead hero in Valhalla.

Attempting to decide is further confused because Hermóðr also seems to be sometimes the name of a god and sometimes the name of a hero.

That Bragi was also the first to speak to Loki in the Lokasenna as Loki attempted to enter the hall might be a parallel.

It might have been useful and customary that a man of great eloquence and versed in poetry should greet those entering a hall.