Norse Mythology

Odin sacrifices his eye to receive ultimate wisdom, including the ability to see into the future. What role does prophesy play in Norse Mythology?

Loki, the trickster god, is responsible for much of the conflict in the book. Examine Loki’s character. Do his evil deeds outweigh the good that some of his acts bring?

The Norse afterlife is populated by the warriors of Valhalla and the ignoble dead of Hel. What role do the two groups of dead mortals play in Norse Mythology? What do these roles say about the values of the gods and mortals in these myths?

Thor is the most powerful Aesir god, but he is far from the most intelligent. Examine Thor’s exploits. What do they indicate about the balance between strength and intelligence in Asgard?

Ragnarok is foreshadowed throughout the entire text. What is the importance of Ragnarok? How does the constant reminder of the end times influence the tone of Norse Mythology?

Examine Loki’s children—Fenrir, Jormungundr, and Hel. How does the way the gods treat them influence their role in Ragnarok?

Revenge is a consistent motivation for the gods and other characters in Norse Mythology. Examine key instances of revenge. What does this indicate about the values held by the Norse?

What role do weddings play in resolving conflict in Norse Mythology? What does this say about the gender roles of the gods and goddesses?

What role does the god Balder play in Ragnarok? What is the significance of the golden chess pieces he finds when Idavoll is established?