Odin and Thor: The Origins, History, and Religious Evolution of the Norse Gods by Jesse Harasta

Author:Jesse Harasta [Harasta, Jesse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B00DCJ93PE
Goodreads: 18159335
Publisher: Charles River Editors
Published: 2013-06-11T05:00:00+00:00

A runestone depicting Thor’s fishing trip

18th century Icelandic manuscript illustration of the fight

Thor and Ragnarök: Glorious Deeds at the End of Time

One of the eternally fascinating elements of Norse cosmology is the fact that its end is foretold in crushing detail. This end of times will come about in a mighty battle called “Ragnarök”, an event translated as either “the Fate of the Gods” or (in Richard Wagner’s re-imagining) “the Twilight of the Gods.” Moreover, not only is the event foretold, but the characters of this drama seem to know of its coming. This is in line with the Germanic faith in the concept of “fate.” For the German pagans, fate or destiny was an integral part of human existence; while people may not know them ahead of time, their stories are written before they are born, and this was true of the gods as well.

During the battle of Ragnarök, Thor focused his attentions on his ancient enemy: Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent. Their battle is epic, and in the end Thor slays his enemy with Mjölnir. However, he is bitten in the process, and after the Serpent dies, Thor takes only nine paces before collapsing and suffocating from the monster’s venom.[40]

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