Ragnark Giants

1
Ragnarök Giants

• Ragnarök means the Doom of the Gods, often
  incorrectly translated, as by Snorri and Wagner,
  as Twilight of the Gods.
• Like other Indo-European mythologies, the Norse
  gods are locked in an eternal battle with
  monstrous beings which seem to represent the
  forces of chaos and destruction earthquakes,
  storms, floods, etc.
• The Frost-Giants predate the Æsir and Vanir, and
  thus possess great wisdom and power.

2
Ragnarök Giants

• Unlike other mythologies, the Norse gods do not
  control the entire cosmos the Giants represent a
  continual threat to the security of Asgard and
  Midgard, and it is only the strength of Thor and
  the wisdom of Odin that keep the Giants at bay.
• Images of the Giants are contradictory most are
  hostile and bestial, though some are civil and
  cultured and held in some respect by the Gods.
• Likewise, Giantesses are sometimes hideous and
  monstrous, sometimes radiantly beautiful and
  highly desirable, such as Freyrs lover Gerd.

3
Ragnarök Giants

• The relationship between the Giants and the Æsir
  is complex and based on mutual distrust and
  broken promises.
• The myth of the building of the walls of Asgard
  (in Snorris Gylfaginning) illustrates the
  problematic relationship
• After the war between the Æsir and the Vanir, the
  walls of Asgard were broken and needed to be
  rebuilt to prevent attacks by the Giants.
• A man promised to build strong walls, if in
  return he were given the sun, moon, and Freya.

4
Ragnarök Giants

• The Æsir (on Lokis advice) decide to accept his
  offer, but he must finish the entire fortress
  wall without the help of any man during one
  winter, or he would forfeit his payment. They
  sealed the deal with many witnesses and oaths.
• The builder agreed and set to work his horse
  Svadilfæri hauled huge blocks of stone in place
  and enabled the man to make great progress.
• With three days left, the gods feared they would
  have to sacrifice Freya for the fortress, and
  spoil the heavens by taking away the sun and moon.

5
Ragnarök Giants

• The Æsir convene and blame Loki for his poor
  advice they command him to think of a way to
  avoid payment for the construction.
• Loki transforms himself into a mare in heat,
  neighs at Svadilfæri, and lures the frantic
  stallion into the woods so that no work in
  completed.
• Loki repeats this maneuver the next day, and when
  the builder realizes he cannot finish the
  construction, he loses his composure and reveals
  himself to be a Mountain-Giant.

6
Ragnarök Giants

• The Gods do not consider a contract with a Giant
  to be binding and thus terminate the payment.
• Thor arrives and staves the skull of the builder,
  effectively putting an end to any appeal.
• Loki disappears for some time, eventually
  returning with his/her foal, the eight-legged
  Sleipnir, best of horses (later claimed by Odin).
• Deceit and treachery, confrontation and violence
  are the foundation of the rule of the Gods and
  their relationship with the Giants.

7
Ragnarök Loki

• Loki is symbolic of and instrumental in
  maintaining this balance of forces between the
  Giants and the Gods.
• Loki lives among the Æsir, but has important
  family ties to the Giants and, like them,
  represents forces of disorder, instability,
  chaos.
• Odin attempts to control, or at least contain,
  the danger of Loki, but is ultimately unable to
  do so.
• Loki has an affair with the Giantess Angrboda and
  gives birth to three monsters, Hel, Jormungand
  and the Fenris wolf.

8
Ragnarök Giants

• Although the Gods dispose of these three
  monsters, they persist as enemies that will
  ultimately run free and destroy the Gods at
  Ragnarök.
• The Doom of the Gods first appears in the dreams
  of the fairest of the Æsir, young Baldr.
• The poem describing these dreams and Odins
  attempts to interpret them, is Baldrs draumar,
  not found in the Codex Regius, but from another
  manuscript stemming from the same period.

9
Baldrs draumar

• The poem begins with Baldrs sinister dreams,
  which trouble the Gods, since they foresee
  trouble associated with such portents.
• Odin mounts Sleipnir and rides to Hell, where her
  knows the grave of a sorceress to be he speaks a
  spell to revive the wise woman, who speaks these
  corpse-words
• Which man is that, unknown to me
• Who is making me travel this difficult road?
• I was snowed upon, I was rained upon,
• Dew fell on me, dead Ive been a long time. (5)

10
Baldrs draumar

• Odin, disguising his name as Way-Tame asks for
  the news from Hell
• For whom are the benches decked with arm-rings,
• The dais so fairly strewn with gold? (6)
• The sorceress answers
• Here the mead stands, brewed for Baldr,
• The shining liquid, a shield hangs above,
• And despair over the Æsir.
• Reluctantly I told you, now Ill be silent. (7)

11
Baldrs draumar
Dont be silent, prophetess! I want to question
you, Until I know everything, I still want to
know more Who will be Baldrs killer And steal
the life from Odins son? (8) Hod will
dispatch the famous warrior to this place He
will be Baldrs killer And steal the life from
Odins son. Reluctantly I told you so, now Ill
be silent. (9)
12
Baldrs draumar

• Odin continues to pose questions
• Who will bring about vengeance on Hod for this
  wickedness,
• Who will bring Baldrs killer to the funeral
  pyre? (10)
• Rind will give birth to Vali in western halls,
• Odins son will fight when one night old
• He wont wash his hands nor comb his hair,
• Until hes brought to the pyre Baldrs enemy.
• Reluctantly I told you, now Ill be silent. (11)
• Odin poses one more question about the girls who
  weep for love and the sorceress recognizes him
  as Odin.

13
Baldrs draumar

• The Sorceress, too, is revealed
• You are not Way-Tame, as I thought,
• Rather you are Odin, the ancient sacrifice.
• You are not a prophetess nor a wise woman,
• Rather youre the mother of three ogres. (13)
• Ride home, Odin, and be proud of yourself!
• No more men will come to visit me,
• Until Loki is loose, escaped from his bonds,
• And the Doom of the Gods, tearing all asunder,
  approaches. (14)

14
The Death of Baldr

• The account of the death of Baldr is very famous
  and is referred to in many poems, though not in
  the Codex Regius.
• Snorris version in Gylfaginning is the
  best-known Saxo Grammaticus presents a very
  different version in his History of the Danes. It
  is impossible to tell which version is the more
  ancient or the more correct.
• The death and rebirth of the young god is a
  common motif in many mythologiesmany
  mythologists see in Baldr a common type of god.

15
The Death of Baldr Snorri

• After Baldr related his dreams to the Æsir, it
  was decided to request immunity for Baldr from
  all kinds of danger.
• Frigg, his mother, receives vows from all things
  not to harm her son. All agree, and Baldr
  becomes impervious to injury.
• The gods amuse themselves by striking Baldr who
  remains unharmed.
• Loki is upset by all the fun and plots to ruin
  the fun he transforms himself into an old woman.

16
The Death of Baldr Snorri

• Frigg tells the old woman
• Weapons and wood will not hurt Baldr, I have
  received oaths from them all.
• Loki asks
• Have all things sworn oaths not to harm Baldr?
• Frigg replies
• There grows a shoot of a tree to the west of
  Valhall. It is called mistletoe, It seemed young
  to me to demand the oath from.
• Loki sneaks off, plucks a sprig of mistletoe and
  shapes it into a dart, then returns to the hall.

17
The Death of Baldr Snorri

• Loki approaches Hod, the blind brother of Baldr,
  and asks him why he is not participating.
• Because I cannot see where Baldr is, and
  secondly because I have no weapon.
• Loki gives Hod the mistletoe dart and guides his
  hand while he throws. Baldr falls dead
  instantly.
• The gods are outraged at this unequivocally evil
  act, though because the hall is a place of
  sanctuary, they will not exact vengeance at once.

18
Hod and Loki
19
The Death of Baldr
Images of Baldr, the fairest and most merciful
20
The Death of Baldr Snorri

• Frigg speaks amid her tears, asking if there was
  any among the Æsir who wished to earn her love
  and favor by riding to Hel and offering her a
  ransom to release Baldr to the living.
• Hermod the Bold, Odins Boy, agrees to ride he
  takes Sleipnir and leaves for Niflheim.
• Meanwhile Baldrs body is laid aboard his ship,
  Hringhorni, largest of all ships. Too heavy to
  launch, they send for a giantess, Hyrrokkin, who
  shoves it into the ocean.

21
The Death of Baldr Snorri

• Baldrs wife Nanna dies of grief and is placed
  with him on the boat.
• While Thor is consecrating the funeral pyre, a
  dwarf (Lit) gets in his way Thor kicks him on
  the boat and he is burnt as well.
• Baldrs horse is brought and placed on the pyre
  as well.
• Lastly, Odin approaches his son, places his
  arm-ring draupnir on the pyre and whispers
  something secretly into Baldrs ear.

22
The Death of Baldr Snorri

• Hermod, meanwhile, is racing to Hel on Sleipnir.
• He crosses the Gioll bridge of glowing gold,
  continues downward and northwards on the road to
  Hel.
• Hermod comes to Hels gates, spurs on Sleipnir
  who leaps clear over the fortress walls and
  gallops into the hall, where he finds Baldr
  sitting in the seat of honor.
• Hermod reports of the great weeping for Baldr and
  requests that he be allowed to return to Asgard.

23
The Death of Baldr Snorri

• Hel said that it must be tested whether Baldr was
  really so loved as Hermod claimed
• And if all things in the world, alive and dead,
  weep for him, then he shall go back to the Æsir,
  but be kept with Hel if any objects or refuses to
  weep.
• Baldr gives Hermod draupnir, Odins arm-ring, and
  he returns to Asgard with Hels message all
  things, dead and alive, wept for Baldr.
• Only one old giantess, Thanks, refused to weep
• Thanks will weep dry tears for Baldrs burial.
  No good got I from the old ones son either dead
  or alive. Let Hel hold what she has.

24
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• This poem is known only from the Codex Regius.
• Since the poem concludes with a reference to the
  binding of Loki, it must take place sometime
  after the death of Baldr.
• Sometimes referred to as the Flyting of Loki,
  the poem is a series of formal insults between
  Loki and rest of the Æsir.
• Many of Lokis references are supported by other
  myths, though some of them are obscureor
  possibly outright lies on his part?

25
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Lokasenna begins with a prose introduction the
  Æsir are feasting at Ægirs hall, and Loki
  appears not to have been invited
• Tell me, Eldir, before you stepA single foot
  forward,What the sons of the glorious gods here
  insideAre talking about over their ale. (1)
• They discuss their weapons and their prowess in
  war,
• The sons of the glorious gods
• Among the Æsir and the elves who are within
• No one has a friendly word for you. (2)

26
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Loki is outraged to be shunned and to see the
  others enjoying themselves. He intends to crash
  their party and thus mix their mead with malice
  (3)
• Why are you so silent, you arrogant gods
• Are you unable to speak?
• Assign a seat and a place to me at the feast,
• Or tell me to go away! (7)
• Bragi says that the Æsir will never let him join,
  for the Æsir know which men they should invite
  to their splendid feast. (8)

27
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Loki appeals to his blood-brother Odin
• Do you remember, Odin, when in bygone days
• We mixed our blood together?
• You said you would never drink ale
• Unless it were brought to both of us. (9)
• Odin feel compelled to keep his oath, and for the
  sake of propriety lets Loki remain
• Get up then, Vidar, and let the wolfs father
  sit at the feast,
• Lest Loki speaks words of blame to us in Ægirs
  hall. (10)

28
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Loki takes some ale and makes a toast mocking
  Bragi, the god of poetry. Bragi tries to pacify
  him, but Loki continues with his insults
• Youre brave in your seat, but you wont do as
  you say,
• Bragi the bench-ornament!
• You run away if you see before you
• An angry man, brave in spirit. (15)
• This starts the rounds of flyting other gods
  speak a verse in defense of another and Loki then
  turns on them. He insults each of the Æsir,
  except Thor who is absent.

29
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Idunn first speaks to defend Bragi
• I ask you, Bragi, to do a service to your
  blood-kin
• And all the adoptive relations,
• That you shouldnt say words of blame to Loki
• In Ægirs hall. (16)
• Loki then turns to insult Idunn herself
• Be silent, Idunn, I declare that of all women
• Youre the most man-crazed,
• Since you placed your arms, washed bright,
• About your brothers slayer. (17)

30
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Gefion then tries to calm Loki
• Loki knows that hes joking
• And all living things love him. (19)
• But Loki turns to insult her all the same
• Be silent, Gefion, Im going to mention this,
• How your heart was seduced
• The white boy gave you a jewel
• And you laid your thigh over him. (20)
• Lokis taunts to godesses usually have to do with
  their promiscuity.

31
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Some more of Lokis taunts
• Be silent, Odin, you never know how to
• Apportion honor in war among men
• Often youve given what you shouldnt have
  given,
• Victory, to the faint-hearted. (22)
• To which Odin replies
• Yet eight winters you were, beneath the earth,
• A woman milking cows,
• And there you bore children,
• And that I thought the hallmark of a pervert.
  (23)

32
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Loki returns the taunt of femininity on Odin
• But you once practiced seid on Samsey,
• And you beat on the drum as witches do,
• In the likeness of a wizard you journeyed among
  men,
• And that I thought the hallmark of a pervert.
  (24)
• Frigg reprimands Loki, who reminds her painfully
  of how he caused her son Baldr to be killed.
• Freyia then turns on Loki, calling him mad, the
  doer of ugly, hateful deeds. (29)

33
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Loki has special taunts for promiscuous Freyia
• Be silent, Freyia, I know all about you
• You arent lacking in blame
• Of the Æsir and the elves, who are in here,
• Each one has been your lover. (30)
• Be silent, Freyia, youre a witch
• And much imbued with malice,
• You were astride your brother, all the laughing
  gods surprised you,
• And then, Freyia, you farted. (32)

34
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Njord comes to his daughters defense, saying it
  is harmless if a woman takes a lover, but Loki
  has born children, which for a man is perverted!
• Loki accuses Njord of sleeping with his own
  sister to father Freyr (supposedly a practice of
  the Vanir before they joined with the Æsir).
• Loki then accuses Tyr of breaking oaths
• Be silent, Tyr, you can never
• Deal straight with people
• Your right hand, I must point out,
• Is the one which Fenrir tore from you. (38)

35
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Loki insults the other gods, Freyr (42), Byggvir
  the servant (44, 46), Heimdall (48), Skadi (50),
  Sif (54), Beyla the handmaiden (56).
• Finally Thor returns from fighting Giants
• Be silent, you evil creature, my mighty hammer
• Mjollnir shall deprive you of speech
• The rock of your shoulders I shall strike from
  your neck,
• And then your life will be gone. (57)
• Loki taunts Thor for a few verses, but Thor does
  not back downeach of his verses begins with a
  vow to use Mjollnir to kill him once and for all.

36
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Loki finally decides he has gone as far as he
  can
• I spoke before the Æsir, I spoke before the sons
  of the Æsir
• What my spirit urged me,
• But before you alone I shall go out,
• For I know that you do strike. (64)
• Ale you brewed, Ægir, and you will never again
  hold a feast
• All your possessions which are here inside
• May flame play over them,
• And may you back be burnt! (65)

37
Lokis Quarrel -- Lokasenna

• Loki then leaves the hall as quickly as he can.
• The poem concludes with a brief description of
  Lokis capture and binding.
• Loki fled to the waterfall of Franagr, turned
  himself into a salmon, and hid from the gods.
• Odin spies him nonetheless, sends the gods to
  capture him they fashion a net, drag the waters,
  and Thor eventually seizes him by his hands a
  myth explaining why salmon taper toward their
  tail.
• Loki is then bound, as Skadi explained in the
  poem (verse 49).

38
Lokis Binding
39
Lokis Binding
40
Ragnarök

• Information about Ragnarökr comes from Volsupa
  and from Snorris Gylfaginning, whose account is
  easier to follow. (see pp. 52-57)
• First will come Fimbulvetr, the Might Winter
  lasting 3 years without a summer.
• There will be great battles and general social
  anarchy Snorri cites Voluspa 45.
• The wolf will swallow the sun, another wolf will
  swallow the moon, the stars will disappear.
• Earthquakes will rattle the earth, all bonds will
  break, Loki and his monster children will be free.

41
Ragnarök

• Naglfari, a ship in Niflheim constructed of dead
  mens nails will be loosed from its moorings and
  a giant Hrym will captain it to battle the Æsir.
• Surt the Fire-Giant and the sons of Muspell will
  travel from the south to battle the Æsir.
• When they arrive at Asgard, they will cross
  Bifrost, the rainbow bridge, and it will break.
• Meanwhile, Loki and Hrym and the Frost-Giants
  arrive at the vast plain Vigrid in Asgard and
  prepare for battle.

42
Ragnarök

• The Æsir will not be idle while the Giants
  prepare for Ragnarök.
• When he sees the Giants assembling, Heimdall will
  blow his horn Giallarhorn and awaken all the
  gods, who will hold their last parliament.
• Odin will consult the Spring of Mimir one final
  time to learn what he can of the battle.
• The Einherjar in Valhall leave their fighting and
  feasting and take the field to fight against the
  Giants.

43
Ragnarök

• The battle of Ragnarok is described as a series
  of individual duels, much like the Iliad
• The Fenris Wolf will swallow Odin.
• Odins son Vidar will tear apart his jaws and
  thus kill Fenrir. (Importance of vengeance).
• Tyr will fight the Hell-Hound Garm, and they will
  kill each other.
• Thor will slay Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent,
  but perish himself in its poison.
• Freyr will fight Surt, but die because he gave
  his sword to Skirnir.

44
Ragnarök

• Loki will battle his old adversary Heimdall, and
  the two will slay each other.
• The Einherjar and the Giants will likewise
  destroy each other in the battle.
• After that Surt will fling fire over the earth
  and burn the whole world.
• At this point, Snorri cites the description of
  destruction in Voluspa, verses 46-57.
• The sun turns black, earth sinks into the sea,
• The bright stars vanish from the sky
• steam rises up in the conflagration,
• A high flame plays against heaven itself. (57)

45
Ragnarök

• But Ragnarök will not be the end
• The earth will rise above the ocean, green and
  fair crops will grow unsown.
• The sun and moon will have daughters who take
  their places in the sky, just as fair as before.
• Vidar and Vali, Odins sons, will not be harmed,
  and will return to Asgard.
• Modi and Magni, Thors sons, will arrive as well,
  bringing Mjollnir with them.
• Hod and Baldr will leave Hel and join them.

46
Ragnarök

• The sons of the Æsir will sit down together,
  discuss former times and the heroic deeds of
  their fathers.
• They will find the golden checkers in the grass
  that had belonged to the Æsir.
• Mankind, too, will survive the final battle. At
  a place called Hoddmimirs wood, two people will
  be hidden unharmed Lif and Lifthrasir, and their
  food will be the dews of morning. And all people
  will descend from them.

47
Images of Ragnarök
48
Images of Ragnarök
49
Images of Ragnarök
50
Images of Ragnarök
51
Images of Ragnarök