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The Influence of Norse Mythology on The Modern World
The Influence of Norse Mythology on The Modern World
The Influence of Norse Mythology on The Modern World
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Loki is known as the trickster god of Norse mythology and is even said to be one of the first anti-heroes. He is also probably one of the most well-known tricksters as well. In the Norse myths, he is often portrayed as being very mischievous and is always causing trouble for the gods. In fact, “he was so outrageously mischievous that he even sneaked his way into becoming a god” (Allen, and Saunders, par. 1). However, even though he almost always seems to be getting the gods into some kind of trouble, he also helps them at times in an attempt to get them out of their predicaments…even if those predicaments are his own fault to begin with.
Even though Loki was considered to be one of the Aesir, the Norse gods, he was actually the son of a giant, Fárbauti (“Loki”, par. 1). However, his close relationships with the gods, particularly those with Odin and Thor, might explain why he is so commonly accepted as one of them. In fact, in some accounts, it is even said to be that Loki and Odin are blood brothers (McCoy, par. 16). Loki has three wives, the first of which being Glut, who bore him two daughters, Esia and Einmyri, the second being the giantess Angrboda, who bore him three monsters, “the wolf-giant Fenrir, Hel, ruler of the Dead, and the world-serpent Jormungand”, and the third being Sigyn, who bore him two sons, Narve and Vali (McLeish, par. 5). In addition, Loki also gave birth to Sleipnir, a horse that he later gave to Odin, “after shapeshifting into a mare and courting the stallion Svaðilfari” (McCoy, par. 4).
Not only is Loki a trickster, but he is also famous for his shapeshifting, meaning he is “able to take on the appearance of whatever chose” (McLeish, par. 2). Shapeshifting is an ability that few of the Norse...
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...s character, makes him one of the most interesting god in Norse mythology because he is comical, entertaining, and relatable, in a sense that he is neither all good nor all bad.
Works Cited
Allen, Peter J., and Chas Saunders. "Loki." Godchecker. 2013. Web. 26 November 2013.
Foster, Mary H., and Mabel H. Cummings. Asgard Stories: Tales from Norse Mythology. New York: Silver, Burdett and Company, 1901. Kindle file.
McLeish, Kenneth. "Loki." Bloomsbury Dictionary of Myth. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd, 1996. Credo Reference. Web. 26 December 2013.
Lindow, John. "Loki (Norse mythology).” World Mythology: Handbook of Norse Mythology. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2001. Credo Reference. Web. 26 November 2013.
“Loki.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 26 December 2013.
McCoy, Dan. "Loki." Norse Mythology. 2013. Web. 26 November 2013.
The show Supernatural revolves around the lives of two brothers Sam and Dean. Sam and Dean are hunters of all things mythical, evil, or supernatural. When the pair first meet the Trickster in the show, he is disguised as a janitor at a university (Shiban, John). Unbeknown to the brothers, he is wreaking havoc on the school and the town through a series of dangerous jokes and tricks. The trickster in Supernatural is eventually identified as a demi-God, Loki who is very similar to the Norse god Loki in the Prose Edda. They share the power to conjure images and imaginary events up, just for the fun of it. The trickster is able to rebuke Sam
There is no doubt in mythology that the king of gods, Zeus, is the most supreme and powerful, ruling the sky. He controls the thunderbolt, a symbol of power feared by both gods and mortals. The Greeks and Romans honored Zeus above all other gods. He is without mistake, the god of all gods. Their stories of Zeus are plenty; his designs have molded mythology from his birth. Zeus' victory in outwitting his intelligent wife, Metis, by swallowing her pregnant, was the gateway used by the Greeks and Romans to show Zeus as the greatest god to come since his father and grandfather. However, as the stories of the gods and goddesses unfold, the Greeks and Roman's interpretation of Zeus' characteristics are different. Zeus is always upheld as the king of gods, but his other personal attributes to his godly rein are conflicting. Zeus' characteristics of fearfulness of female deities, cunningness and use of trickery, and lust in Ovid's Metamorphoses compared to the Theogony are opposed due to Hesiod's true respect of Zeus versus Ovid's lack of respect of Jupiter in Roman mythology.
Harris, Stephen L., and Gloria Platzner. Classical Mythology: Images and Insights. 2nd ed. Mountain View: Mayfield, 1995
Morford, Mark P.O., and Robert J. Lenardon. Classical Mythology. '7th ed'. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Many characters in literature can share some common characteristics, depending if they are the protagonist or antagonist. Tom Hiddelston used Shakespeare, specifically his play Othello, as an influence on his portrayal of the Marvel Comics character, Loki. Hiddelston used many of the personality traits seen in Iago in his development of the character Loki. Loki is the bad boy of the marvel comic book world who is featured in both Thor and Avengers comics.
Claybourne, Anna. "Achilles." Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology. Marshall Cavendish Digital, 04 Jan 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. http://marshallcavendishdigital.com/articledisplay/41/8483/89264.
In addition to displaying many similarities in their creation myths, the Norse and Aztec mythologies have connections relating specifically to the gods they worship. Both mythologies are polytheistic, and when looking at all of these gods, it becomes apparent that in both religions there are few gods that only have one area over which they rule. Most are known primarily for one area, but are actually representative of many more. For example, the Norse god Odin is primarily known for being the ruler of the gods, but is also associated with subjects such as war, the sky, and magic. Within the massive number of gods that the Norse and Aztec revere, there are certain types of gods they seem to value more than others. Interestingly this tends to
The importance of tricksters in mythology can be seen in their actions and how they relate to the human race. Tricksters are complex beings, and are direct representations of the human race. They define rules and ways to act, but they also test those rules and boundaries that are set in society. Commonly, tricksters are thought of as laughable figures that cause mischief, but each trickster also has a dark side and thinks selfishly. These dark sides are key elements to the foundations of societies and cultures because the selfish actions that tricksters take ultimately teach what humankind is capable of while simultaneously creating and changing culture.
"Achilles." Gods, Heroes and Myth: Mythologies of Many lands. 10 June 2003. Internet. 23 June 2003.
The story of Lokis is a narrative from a professor’s point of view of a strange man named Count Szemioth who exhibits unusual animalistic behaviors. Despite this, the Count is merely described as eccentric. The Count has certainly lived an eccentric life, his mother was mauled by a bear and became mad as a result, to the point where she had suicidal tendencies and called her newborn son ‘the beast!’, and the Count himself encountered a bear but was only licked and then left alone. The characters first meet when the professor goes back to his room in the Count’s castle only to be greeted by an intruder who was climbing the tree outside his window, when the professor asks one of the servants if it was someone from the household, the servant remains
Even though everyone knew that Loki had done it, because they had lost the one that they loved, they were too sad to do anything about it. Frigg thought that she had made sure of Balder’s safety, even though she had overlooked this one small plant.
The extraordinary archetype, the trickster figure, appears in folklore and mythology around the world. In cultures, where a trickster god, or creature, is present, it is ‘the other gods who have made the various forms of perfection’ (Atwood 2). Trickster is the one who is seen as responsible for the changes, the mistakes (2). Trickster has been credited for a score of positive developments, such as bringing sunshine, life and food to Earth (Hyde 25), and has been blamed for the just as many negative, such as the reason why people need food to survive (23), and why they cannot return from the dead (86). Because trickster is ‘at one and the same time creator and destroyer, giver and negator, he who dupes others and who is always duped himself’
Thor is the Norse God of Thunder. He is also a Deity of lightning, storms, Oak trees, farmers, fertility, strength, destruction, healing and death. Thor is also a protector of mankind and is very loyal to his father Odin and the Aesir Gods. In the past, he came to their defence any time it was needed, no matter how far away he was or what else he was doing. His family always comes first.
A familiar, sinister voice reveled in Thor's shame, murmuring of the limitless possibility that was suddenly within Loki's grasp. Oh yes, the change was palpable, unmistakable in the hot fury in their father's eyes as he raged at his favorite son. And it was there in Loki's own weak protest, one he knew to be futile before it ever escaped his lips.
Odin is the ruler of the gods in Norse mythology. He was stuck by his own spear pinned to the World Tree. There he learned nine songs and eighteen runes. Odin lives in Asgard; from his throne he observes everything that happens in the nine worlds. Valhalla is a hall in Asgard where the dead warriors are taken; Odin is also known to reside there (pantheon/odin).