What happens in Gylfaginning in the Prose Edda?

In the Prose Edda, written by the Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson circa 1220, the section titled Gylfaginning (The Beguiling of Gylfi) serves as a foundational introduction to Norse mythology.12

The narrative is structured as a dialogue. It describes the journey of Gylfi, a king of the Swedes, who travels to Asgard, the citadel of the gods, to investigate the source of the gods' power. Upon his arrival, he encounters the gods, who engage him in a series of questions and answers.2

Through this exchange, the gods provide Gylfi with detailed accounts of:
* Cosmogony: The creation of the world, including the roles of primeval beings like the giant Ymir and the cow Audhumla, as well as the creation of the first humans, Askr and Embla.3
* Mythology: The various adventures and functions of the major Norse gods.12
* Eschatology: The eventual fate of the world and the gods, known as Ragnarök.12

These tales are presented with significant dramatic artistry and charm, functioning as a pedagogical tool to help poets of the Christian era understand the mythological allusions found in traditional skaldic verse.2