Why did Johann Gottfried von Herder study Norse poetry mythology and ancient German songs?

Johann Gottfried von Herder studied Norse poetry, mythology, and ancient German songs because he believed that poetic ability is the "mother tongue of mankind," appearing in its greatest purity and power during the "uncivilized" periods of a nation.1

Herder argued that true poetic expression reveals hidden aspects of human life through the creative function of language. He viewed folk literature as the primary vessel for the Volksseele (or "ethnic soul"), a collective identity that defines a culture. By retrieving these ancient works—such as the Edda, Homer, and German folk songs—Herder sought to help the German people realize and perfect their authentic national identity, which he felt was at risk of being lost through ignorance or foreign influence. For Herder, poetry was not merely a product of learning or amusement, but a vital, involuntary reaction to the historical environment that allowed individuals to come to terms with reality.123