Myths and Folklore

Unit Two Ancient Greek and Roman Myths

The Beginnings

• Creation: In the beginning, the universe existed as Chaos, a vast and mixed dark void. From this primordial state emerged Gaea (Earth) and Uranus (Heaven), who would become the parents of the Titans, the first generation of divine beings.

• Notable Titans:

  • Hyperion: The Titan personifying the sun, representing light and observation.

  • Oceanus: The Titan of the waters, encompassing all the oceans and bodies of water on Earth.

  • Cronus (Saturn): The leader of the Titans and father of the major Olympian gods, known for his fear of being overthrown by his children.

  • Iapetus: Fathered Prometheus and Epimetheus and played a role in assisting Jupiter in creation, known for his connections to mortality.

• Overthrown by: Cronus overthrows Uranus to become ruler but, fearing a prophecy that he would be overthrown by his offspring, he swallowed each one at birth. Rhea, his wife, saved the youngest child, Jupiter (Zeus), by giving him a stone to swallow instead. As an adult, Jupiter forced Cronus to regurgitate his siblings and after a fierce battle, he defeated Cronus and took control of the cosmos.

• Olympian Gods:

  Greek Name	Roman Name
  Aphrodite. love	Venus
  Apollo. sun	Phoebus Apollo
  Ares. war	Mars
  Artemis. moon	Diana
  Athena. war, wisdom	Minerva
  Demeter, harvest	Ceres
  Dionysus, wine	Bacchus
  Eros, love	Cupid
  Hades, underworld	Pluto
  Hephaestus, the forge	Vulcan
  Hera, fertility, queen	Juno
  Hermes, messenger, speed	Mercury
  Poseidon, sea, earthquakes	Neptune
  Zeus, all gods, thunder	Jupiter (or Jove)
  No	Janus, new beginnings

Mythology and Nature

• Apollo and Phaëthon: Phaëthon, who seeks to prove his divine heritage as the son of Apollo, travels to the East to ask Apollo for a sign. Apollo, with great pride, allows Phaëthon to drive the sun chariot, ignoring the warnings of its immense danger. Phaëthon cannot control the horses, resulting in chaos across the Earth until Jupiter strikes him down with a thunderbolt to prevent further destruction, emphasizing the theme of hubris.

• Proserpine: The beautiful daughter of Ceres, Proserpine, captures the heart of Pluto. While gathering flowers, she is abducted to the underworld, sparking a desperate search by her mother, Ceres. Ceres's neglect of her agricultural duties causes significant famine and drought. Since she eats six pomegranate seeds, Proserpine spends half the year with her mother and the other half with Pluto, symbolizing the seasons with joy in spring and sorrow in fall.

• Prometheus and Epimetheus: Charged with creating mankind, Epimetheus gives animals skills but steals fire from the gods to give to humanity, igniting Jupiter's wrath. His punishment is severe—chained to Mount Caucasus where a vulture eats his liver each day, only for it to regenerate overnight. Epimetheus, warned by Prometheus, still accepts a gift from Jupiter of Pandora, who was given a box. Filled with curiosity, she opens it and releases evils into the world, but hope remains.

Stories of Greek Heroes

• Perseus: Born to Danäe and Jupiter, Perseus's journey is defined by his quest to slay Medusa, a task set by the king of Seriphus who desires Danäe. With gifts from the gods—Minerva's shield and Mercury's sword—along with guidance from the Three Sisters, he beheads Medusa without looking directly at her. Perseus's heroism continues as he saves Andromeda from a sea monster, showcasing themes of bravery and the divine support heroes receive.

• Hercules: The son of Jupiter and Alcmena, Hercules embodies strength and resilience. Driven mad by Juno, he kills his wife and children and has to atone according to the oracle at Delphi by serving King Eurystheus and completing the twelve labors, tasks defined as impossible including the Nemean Lion, Hydra, Arcadian Stag, Boar of Erymanthus, Augean Stables, man-eating birds, Cretan Bull, horses of Diomedes, girdle of Hippolyta, oxen of Geryon, golden apples of the Hesperides, Cerberus.

• Theseus: Known as the hero of Athens, Theseus's journey begins when he retrieves the sword and sandals left by his father Aegeus. He defeats numerous foes en route to Athens, including Epidaurus, Corinth, and Procrustes. When his father flees due to his wife’s assassination attempt, he becomes prince and volunteers to face the Minotaur in the Labyrinth in Crete. He is aided by Ariadne’s thread but leaves her on the island and Theseus, on his way back, forgets to change the sails to white so Aegues kills himself.

• Jason and the Argonauts: Jason embarks on the quest for the Golden Fleece, guarded by a dragon in Colchis, to reclaim his rightful throne from Pelias. He constructs the ship Argo which includes warriors such as Castor, Pollux, Orpheus, Theseus, and Hercules. Jason uses a dove to navigate through danger Alongside the Argonauts, he faces various trials, including the deadly tasks imposed by King Aeëtes of Colchis. With Medea's love and magical abilities, which allow him to tame bulls, he secures the fleece. Pelias’ daughters kill Pelias and Jason gets a new wife whom Medea kills.

• Oedipus: A tragic hero, Oedipus's life is dictated by fate. Jocasta, Queen of Thebes, and King Laius were told by an oracle that their son would kill his father and marry his mother so he was taken to Corinth. After growing up, he receives the oracle and unwittingly kills his real father. His intelligent resolution of the Sphinx's riddle earns him the throne of Thebes, alongside Jocasta, his real motehr. Upon uncovering the truth, Oedipus blinds himself in despair, realizing the horrific fulfillment of the prophecy and the tragic consequences of his actions.

Love Stories

• Orpheus and Eurydice: Orpheus was a gifted musician who married Eurydice. Eurydice was bitten by a snake and died. Devastated, Orpheus decided to journey to the underworld to retrieve her. He played beautiful music that softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone, who agreed to allow Eurydice to return with him to the living world under one condition: he must not look back at her until they both reached the surface. As they ascended, overwhelmed with love and anxiety, Orpheus turned to look at Eurydice just before they exited, causing her to vanish back into the underworld forever.

• Pygmalion and Galatea: Pygmalion, a sculptor, falls deeply in love with a statue he creates, named Galatea. The gods, moved by his devotion, grant life to the statue, realizing his desire for companionship. This story celebrates the power of love and artistic inspiration while reflecting on the connection between creator and creation.

• Baucis and Philemon: Baucis and Philemon: An elderly couple named Baucis and Philemon live in a humble cottage. When Jupiter and Mercury visit Earth in disguise as travelers, seeking shelter, they are turned away by wealthier inhabitants. However, Baucis and Philemon warmly welcome the disguised gods into their home, offering them food and drink despite their modest means. Impressed by their generosity, Jupiter and Mercury turn the cottage into a temple and grant the couple a wish. Baucis and Philemon choose to die together, and as a result, they are transformed into two intertwining trees that stand side by side.

• Cupid and Psyche: Psyche, a mortal of unmatched beauty, becomes the object of Venus’s jealousy. Cupid, instructed to make her fall in love with a wretched creature, instead falls in love with her. The trials Psyche undergoes to prove her love culminate in her gaining immortality, stressing the theme of enduring love and self-discovery.

• Aurora and Thithonus: Aurora, the goddess of dawn, falls in love with Tithonus and persuades Jupiter to grant him immortality. Once he grew old, he was shut up in the chamber where his voice could be heard and then was transformed into a grasshopper.

Mortals Against Gods/Other Stufd

• Arachne: Arachne’s unparalleled weaving skills invite challenge from Minerva, who warns against hubris. Believing herself superior, Arachne challenges the goddess, leading to her transformation into a spider as punishment. This tale reveals the perils of pride and disrespect towards the divine.

• Marpessa and Idas: Marpessa is courted by both Apollo and Idas, leading to a dramatic choice about love and mortality. Ultimately, she chooses Idas, emphasizing the importance of human experience and connection over divine allure, celebrating shared life’s joys and sorrows.

• Daphne: Angered by Apollo, Cupid makes him fall in love with Daphne but makes her hate him. Apollo pursued Daphne and when she was tired of running she called for help from her father, who turned her into a laurel tree

• Pyramus and Thisbe: They planned to elope in a mulberry tree and stuff. Thisbe got jumped by a lioness and ran leaving behind her cloak. Pyramus finds the bloodied cloak and kills himself. Thisbe also kills herself after seeing him.

Unit Three Tales of the Trojan War

The Iliad

Prologue

• Key Figures:

  • Helen of Troy: Most beautiful woman; her abduction sparked the war.

  • Paris: Son of King Priam of Troy; awarded the golden apple to Aphrodite.

  • Menelaus: Greek chieftain and Helen's husband, sought to retrieve her.

  • Aphrodite: Promised Paris Helen's love.

  • Athena & Hera: Became enemies of Paris and Troy after his choice.

  • Agamemnon: Leader of the Greek forces.

  • Achilles: Greek hero whose wrath is a major theme of the Iliad.

  • Hector: Trojan prince and warrior; brother of Paris.

• Background:

  • Conflict started at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, where Eris threw a golden apple inscribed "To the Fairest." Paris chose Aphrodite, igniting rivalry.

• War Initiation:

  • Helen was taken by Paris to Troy, prompting Menelaus to gather support from other suitors, including Odysseus and Achilles, who was tricked into joining.

• Duration:

  • The war lasted nine years with shifting fortunes.

• Major Events:

  • The Iliad focuses on Achilles' wrath and Hector's death, highlighting personal and heroic struggles during the war.

Wrath of Achilles

• Achilles' wrath stemmed from Agamemnon’s capture of a girl, the daughter of a priest of Apollo, leading to a plague on the Greeks. Achilles blamed Agamemnon and, despite giving up his own captive, refused to fight. His mother asked Zeus for Greek misfortune to avenge Achilles. The gods sided with either the Greeks or Trojans, with Zeus attempting to remain neutral. After Achilles withdrew, Menelaus and Paris fought; Aphrodite saved Paris. Athena persuaded a Trojan to wound Menelaus, reigniting the battle. With Achilles' friend Patroclus wearing his armor, the Trojans initially retreated. Patroclus was killed by Hector, prompting Achilles to seek revenge. Achilles reconciled with Agamemnon and returned to battle, turning the tide against the Trojans. Hector ultimately faced Achilles outside the city walls.

Death of Hector

• The Encounter: As Achilles faced Hector, he rushed forward like an eagle attacking a lamb. Both warriors engaged fiercely; Achilles sought a vulnerable spot in Hector's armor, finding an opening at his throat.

• The Fatal Strike: Achilles pierced Hector's throat with his spear, leading to Hector's fall. Boasting, Achilles taunted Hector about his previous victory over Patroclus, promising that Hector's body would be left for dogs and birds, despite any ransom offered by his family.

• Hector's Plea: Hector pleaded with Achilles not to leave his body unburied, offering gifts from his family in return for a proper burial. Achilles mocked Hector's plea and expressed a desire for vengeance against him for Patroclus' death.

• Final Moments: Hector foretold Achilles' own death, warning that the gods would take revenge on him. As Hector died, Achilles echoed his willingness to face death whenever the gods deemed it.

• Aftermath: Achilles stripped Hector's armor and allowed the other Greeks to mock and wound him. He expressed both victory and a strong desire to honor Patroclus.

• Inhumanity to Hector's Body: Achilles disfigured Hector’s body by tying it to his chariot and dragging it before the Greek ships, causing deep mourning for Hector among the Trojans, especially his parents and wife.

• Andromache's Grief: Hector’s wife, Andromache, unaware of his death, mourned his absence as she learned the truth. Her lament focused on her lost future and the fate of their child, Astyanax, who would grow up without a father.

• Achilles Relents: Eventually, after his own grief, Achilles agreed to return Hector's body to his father, Priam, during a moment of compassion. A truce was established for Hector's funeral rites.

After the Iliad

• Odysseus uses the Trojan Horse to take over Troy

• Achilles dies by a wound from Paris in his heel

• Ajax and Odysseus recover his body but Athena awards armor to Odysseus so Ajax kills himself

• Priam is killed and his daughter Cassandra is taken by Agamemnon

• Menelaus and Helen return home while Agamemnon is killed by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover

The Odyssey

Background

The Odyssey does not begin at the beginning; it focuses on the last six weeks of his ten-year wanderings. The following sequences outline significant events during his journey:

• Departure from Troy: After leaving Troy, Odysseus and his men stopped at Ismarus, where they plundered the city but lost six men from each ship in a skirmish.

• Strong Winds: They set sail again, only to be blown off course. Had Odysseus been able to sail north, he could have returned home easily, and the Odyssey would never have been written.

• Land of the Lotus-Eaters: On the tenth day, they reached the land of the Lotus-Eaters, a place where inhabitants offered food that made Odysseus's men forget their desire to return home. Odysseus forcibly dragged them away and ordered a hasty departure.

• Encounter with the Cyclopes: The next stop was a mysterious land inhabited by Cyclopes, giant monsters with one eye. Odysseus, driven by curiosity, led a group of twelve of his best men to explore a cave belonging to Polyphemus, a Cyclops and son of Poseidon.

Land of the Cyclops

• Finding the Cave: Odysseus and his men found the Cyclops' cave empty, filled with food, but Odysseus refused to leave, wanting to meet the Cyclops.

• Polyphemus Arrives: When Polyphemus returns, he traps them in the cave and cruelly eats two of Odysseus’ men.

• Brutality: Odysseus waited for a plan to attack after the Cyclops fell asleep.

• Revenge Plot: They sharpened a huge club and decided to blind Polyphemus.

• Drunkenness: Odysseus fed him wine, claiming his name was “No-man”, causing Polyphemus to fall asleep.

• Outsmarting the Cyclops: When other Cyclopes came, Polyphemus told them “No-man” was attacking him.

• Escape: Odysseus and his men escaped under the rams, but he taunted Polyphemus from the ship.

• Consequences: In anger, Polyphemus prayed to Poseidon to curse Odysseus's journey, ensuring future troubles for him.

Further Adventures

• Aeolus: After leaving the island of Aeolus, god of the winds, Odysseus was given a bag containing all winds but the West Wind to aid his journey home. However, while Odysseus napped, his men opened the bag, releasing the winds and blowing them off course.

• Laestrygonians: Next, they encountered the Laestrygonians, giants who destroyed all Odysseus' ships except for his. Odysseus narrowly escaped by cutting the anchor rope and urging his men to row hard.

• Circe: Odysseus and his crew reached Circe's island, where she turned his men into swine. With Hermes' help, Odysseus resisted her magic and convinced her to return his men to their original form. They stayed on her island for a year until Odysseus longed for home.

• The Land of the Dead: Circe instructed Odysseus to visit the Land of the Dead, where he met the prophet Tiresias, who warned him not to let his men touch the Cattle of the Sun. He would face hardships and traitors upon returning home.

• Passing the Sirens: When sailing past the Sirens, Odysseus had himself tied to the mast while his men used wax in their ears to avoid being lured by their singing.

• Scylla and Charybdis: Odysseus chose to face Scylla, losing six men to the monster instead of risking the entire ship in Charybdis.

• Cattle of the Sun: Stranded on the Island of the Sun, Odysseus’ men disobeyed him and ate the sacred cattle. As a consequence, a storm destroyed their ship, and only Odysseus survived by clinging to the debris.

• Calypso: After drifting for days, Odysseus reached the island of Calypso, who held him captive out of love for many years until the gods intervened.

• Return to Ithaca: After enduring further shipwrecks and challenges orchestrated by Poseidon, Odysseus finally reached Ithaca after twenty years. He concealed his identity to assess the situation at home, where suitors had begun courting his wife, Penelope.

The Aeneid

Background

• Aeneas's Journey: As mentioned in the Iliad, Aeneas escapes the fall of Troy and eventually arrives in Italy, where he finds a city. His son would go on to establish another city, linked to the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.

• Opening Scene: The Aeneid opens with Aeneas's ships tossed by a storm, paralleling Odysseus’s trials. Aeneas must contend with the wrath of Juno (Hera). Afterward, he arrives in Carthage, where Queen Dido welcomes him and invites him to recount his adventures, detailing the events following the fall of Troy from a Trojan viewpoint, favoring their cause over that of Greek heroes like Odysseus.

The Fall of Troy

• The Aeneid recounts the fall of Troy through the perspective of Aeneas, a valiant Trojan warrior speaking to Dido. The Greek strategy involving a wooden horse leads to the downfall of Troy as disguised Greek soldiers emerge at night, launching a surprise attack on the unsuspecting Trojans, who are exhausted after a long siege. Aeneas dreams of Hector, who warns him to escape and find a new city. As the chaos unfolds, the Trojans attempt to defend their city but are overwhelmed by the Greeks' numbers and fierce assault. Priam, the king of Troy, fights bravely but is ultimately killed by Pyrrhus, Achilles' son. Aeneas grapples with his desire for vengeance but is guided by the goddess Aphrodite to prioritize his family's safety. In the ensuing turmoil, Aeneas attempts to save his father, Anchises, while his wife, Creusa, goes missing. Aeneas ultimately hears Creusa’s spirit, which reassures him of a prosperous future in a new land, and he escapes with his father and son, ready to face the hardships of exile and the promise of a new beginning.

Aeneas and Rome

• Journey of the Trojans: After preparations, the Trojans set sail and faced various adventures, including encounters with the Harpies, Polyphemus the Cyclops, and avoiding Scylla and Charybdis.

• Arrival at Carthage: They reached Carthage, where they were welcomed by Queen Dido, who fell in love with Aeneas. However, Zeus sent Hermes to remind Aeneas of his destiny, leading him to leave Dido despite her pleas. Dido ultimately took her own life in grief after his departure.

• Visit to the Land of the Dead: Aeneas traveled to the Land of the Dead with the help of Sibyl, where he met Charon, Cerberus, and the shade of Dido. He learned about the cycles of rebirth and battles ahead from his deceased father.

• Establishment in Italy: The Aeneid continues with Aeneas's struggles to establish himself as a ruler in Italy, including seeking the hand of Princess Lavinia. He faced opposition from Turnus, a prominent suitor. Aeneas ultimately defeats Turnus in combat, marking a significant moment in establishing his legacy.

• Legacy: The Aeneid concludes with Turnus's death, and tradition holds that Aeneas's son would later find the city associated with Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.

Unit Four Norse Myths

The Beginning of the World

• Initial State: In the Norse vision, the universe originated from an empty void. To the north lay a realm of mist, ice, and snow, while the south basked in warmth and sunlight.

• Ymir's Emergence: From the continual clash of the warm and cold, the giant Ymir emerged. He was the ancestor of the frost giants and was nourished by a giant cow, also created from this elemental chaos.

• Buri's Birth: While the cow licked the ice, the first god, Buri, appeared, growing from the ice and forming near the cow. Buri eventually had a child, marrying a giantess and fathering the gods Odin, Vili, and Ve.

• Creation of the Earth: The three brothers—Odin, Vili, and Ve—slew Ymir. From his body, they crafted the world:

  • Ymir's flesh formed the earth.

  • His blood created the seas.

  • His bones became mountains.

  • His hair turned into trees.

  • His skull formed the heavens.

  • His brain became clouds.

  • With Ymir's eyebrows, they constructed a protective barrier around the new world.

• Midgard: The new world, named Midgard, served as a middle ground between the icy lands of Niflheim and the fiery realm of Muspelheim. The gods eliminated most of Ymir’s descendants, except one whose lineage would continue in Jotunheim, the land of giants, creating a new race of frost giants who would oppose the gods.

• Ruling the Cosmos: Odin and his brothers ascended to become the rulers of the universe, mirroring the hierarchy found in other mythologies such as that of the Romans. Odin, like Jupiter, claimed the title of supreme ruler and established the rhythms of day and night, placing celestial bodies such as the sun and moon in the sky.

• Creation of Humanity: The gods created the first two humans, Aske and Embla, from an ashen tree and an elm, respectively, who became the ancestors of the human race. Additionally, the flesh of Ymir gave rise to non-human creatures, including dwarfs, trolls, gnomes, fairies, and elves, populating Midgard.

• Yggdrasil: Odin also created Yggdrasil, the great tree that encompasses life and time, with roots stretching into various realms: one in Niflheim, another in Midgard, and the third in Asgard. This tree acts as a vital connector of the cosmos.

• Bifrost and Heimdall: To travel to Asgard, the gods traversed the rainbow bridge known as Bifrost, which was too fragile for the heavy-footed Thor. Heimdall, the vigilant guardian of the bridge, kept watch over it, blessed with extraordinary senses that enabled him to perceive the faintest details in both day and night.

• Asgard's Greatness: Asgard boasted splendid palaces, the most prominent being Odin's Valhalla, a grand hall where the souls of warriors who died honorably in battle would dwell. The Valkyries, maidens who chose the slain, carried these valiant souls to Valhalla. There, the warriors engaged in combat during the day, and at night their wounds healed, preparing them for another day of glory and feasting. This encapsulated the Norse vision of the afterlife, emphasizing valor and camaraderie in a warrior’s paradise.

Character/Place List

• Ymir: The giant ancestor of frost giants, from whose body the world was created.

• Buri: The first god, born from the ice, who became the father of Odin, Vili, and Ve.

• Odin: One of the creators of the world and the supreme ruler of the cosmos.

• Vili: Brother of Odin, participated in the creation of the world.

• Ve: Brother of Odin, also involved in the creation of the world.

• Aske: The first man created from an ashen tree.

• Embla: The first woman created from an elm tree.

• Dwarfs, Trolls, Gnomes, Fairies, Elves: Non-human creatures that emerged from Ymir's flesh, populating Midgard.

• Heimdall: The guardian of Bifrost, with extraordinary senses.

• Valkyries: Maidens who choose slain warriors to carry to Valhalla.

• Valhalla: Where warriors who died in battle are welcomed

• Midgard: The new world created from Ymir's body, serving as a middle ground.

• Yggdrasil: The great tree connecting various realms, representing life and time.

• Asgard: The realm of the gods, home to deities such as Odin and Thor, and a place of eternal glory.

• Jotunheim: Land of the Frost Giants

• Niflheim: Where the people who died normally go to

The Great Gods

• Odin: Supreme god of wisdom, culture, battle, and the dead. He sits on his throne in Valhalla, where two ravens, Thought and Memory, report to him daily. Odin rides the eight-footed gray steed Sleipnir and wields a spear that never misses.

• Frigga: Odin's wife, goddess of marriage, and protector of women. She invites loving couples to her hall after death and is associated with spring as Eastre.

• Thor: God of thunder and strength, son of Odin. Known for his powerful hammer that always returns to him. His wife is Sif.

• Tiu: God of courage and war, similar to Mars. He is ranked next to Odin and Thor in importance.

• Freya: Goddess of beauty and love, corresponding to Venus in Roman mythology. Celebrated through love songs and sacred to springtime and flowers.

• Frey: God of fertility, rain, sunshine, and earth's fruits. He is Freya's brother.

• Vidar: Thor's brother, known for his strength, representing the silent forests.

• Bragi: God of poetry, who sings warriors' deeds. His wife Iduna tends to the golden apples of immortality.

• Balder: The beloved god of spring, gladness, and light, representing divinity.

• Hoder: Balder's twin brother, the god of winter, gloom, and darkness.

• Loki: Often considered a Norse god but portrayed as a mischief-maker and personification of evil. His offspring include the wolf Fenris, the Midgard Serpent, and Hela.

  • Fenris: A monstrous wolf that breaks chains and represents chaos.

  • Midgard Serpent: A large serpent that encircles the earth, causing storms.

  • Hela: Ruler of Niflheim, the land of the dead.

  • Loki's three offspring play significant roles in the eventual destruction of the gods.

Odin's Search for Wisdom

• Odin's Search for Wisdom involves the mighty ash tree Yggdrasil, which connects all worlds. Odin sought wisdom from Mimir, the keeper of a well at Yggdrasil’s roots. Mimir demands a high price: Odin must sacrifice an eye for a drink from the well, granting him immense wisdom. After acquiring wisdom, Odin seeks out Vafthrudner, the wisest giant in Jotunheim, to challenge him in a battle for knowledge, in which Frigga does not want him to go. Disguised as a traveler named Gangraad, Odin successfully answers Vafthrudner's questions, showcasing his knowledge of important cosmic facts, including the name of the Last Battle's site, Vigard. The contest reveals Odin's true identity, leading Vafthrudner to acknowledge Odin's superiority in wisdom. Ultimately, Odin triumphs, demonstrating that wisdom prevails, even over giants.

Character List

• Mimir: The keeper of the well at Yggdrasil's roots, demands Odin's eye for wisdom.

• Vafthrudner: The wisest giant whom Odin challenges for knowledge.

Tales of Thor, the Thunderer

The Giant's Bride

• The giant Thrym stole Thor's hammer and buried it, causing alarm among the gods. Thor sought Loki's help, who found out that Thrym would only return the hammer if he could marry the goddess Freya. Freya vehemently refused, leading to turmoil in Asgard. Heimdall suggested that Thor disguise himself as Freya, with Loki as his handmaiden. Though reluctant, Thor agreed and traveled to Jotunheim in disguise. Thrym welcomed him enthusiastically, and during a feast, Thor's appetite amazed the giants. Loki explained that Freya had fasted for days, calming their nerves. When Thrym tried to kiss his 'bride,' he was startled by the fire in her eyes. The hammer was then brought in, and Thor, seizing the opportunity, revealed his true identity, took the hammer, and defeated Thrym and the other giants before returning to Asgard with Loki.

A Visit to Giant Land

• Thor and Loki ventured to Jotunheim, riding in Thor's chariot pulled by two goats. After a day of travel, they stopped at a peasant's hut for the night, where Thor, realizing the family couldn’t provide a proper feast, killed and cooked his goats. He warned them not to break the bones but Loki persuaded the young boy, Thialfi, to suck out the marrow. The next morning, Thor’s goats were resurrected but one of them limped due to a broken bone, leading to Thor’s fury. Thialfi confessed, and as penance, he agreed to serve Thor.

• The trio continued their journey and found themselves in a strange, giant's house, realizing they had slept in a giant’s glove. The giant who owned it offered to guide them to Jotunheim, but Thor became frustrated when he couldn’t untie the giant’s food knots and decided to attack the giant, the hammer had no effect, as the giant remained unfazed.

• Upon reaching the castle of King Utgard-Loki, the king mocked their size and offered challenges. Loki engaged in an eating contest but lost to Fire, Thialfi raced against Thought, and Thor struggled in competition with a horn connected to the ocean, unable to drain it fully. Lastly, Thor faced an old hag, who was Old Age, and also defeated him, highlighting his perceived weakness.

  After feasting, Utgard-Loki revealed that he had used magic against them due to their true powers. He informed them never to return, as more magic awaited. With that, he vanished, leaving Thor and Loki to return to Asgard, now wiser from their encounters.

Thor's Fantastic Duel

• Thor raced the giant Hrungrir to determine who had the faster horse. Hrungrir galloped so quickly that he arrived in Asgard before stopping. The gods allowed the giant to drink from Thor's goblet, but he soon grew boastful, threatening to carry off the goddesses and destroy Asgard. Thor confronted Hrungrir, who challenged him to a duel.

• Hrungrir was by a stone shield and armed with a huge whetstone. Thialfi, an onlooker, advised the giant to stand on his shield for protection. Thor attacked from above with thunder and lightning and hurled his hammer, which shattered the whetstone upon impact but continued on to strike Hrungrir in the head.

• The giant fell on him, pinning his leg and causing a piece of the whetstone to strike Thor's own head. Thor's son Magni pulled the giant off his father, and as a reward, Thor gave him the giant's horse. A seeress was then brought in to remove the stone from Thor's head. During the procedure, Thor boasted about rescuing the seeress's husband Aurvandil from Giant Land, distracting her so much that she forgot the spells.

Character List

• Thor: God of thunder and strength, involved in multiple adventures.

• Loki: Thor's companion, aiding in his quests.

• Thrym: The giant who steals Thor's hammer.

• Freya: The goddess whom Thrym wants to marry.

• Sif: Thor's wife.

• Thialfi: The young boy who becomes Thor's servant after breaking a bone of Thor's goat.

• Utgard-Loki: The giant king who challenges Thor and Loki.

• Hrungrir: The giant who challenges Thor to a race.

• Magni: Thor's son who helps in the duel against Hrungrir.

Tales of Loki, the Trickster

The Architect of Asgard:

• After completing Midgard and Valhalla, the gods felt insecure about potential threats from the frost giants. To fortify their defenses, they decided to build a fortress. An architect approached them, offering to construct the fortress in exchange for the sun, the moon, and the goddess Freya. They agree after being urged by Loki, setting the condition that the work must be completed within one winter with only his horse, Svadilfari, as assistance.

• The architect began his work at once, transporting huge stones by night and building by day. The construction progressed quickly, nearing completion except for one final portal. The gods, realizing they had been outsmarted, threatened Loki. In a moment of cleverness, Loki transformed into a mare and lured Svadilfari into the forest. Without his horse, the architect was powerless.

• The architect revealed his true identity as a mountain giant and attempted to attack the gods. Thor strikes the giant’s skull with his hammer and into Niflheim.

The Theft of the Golden Apples:

• Iduna, the keeper of the golden apples that ensure the gods' immortality, becomes the target of the storm giant Thiassi. Odin and Loki, while searching for food on Earth, encounter Thiassi in the form of an eagle. Loki, angered, ends up bound to Thiassi who forces him to lure Iduna out of Asgard. Loki deceives Iduna into leaving Asgard under the guise of finding similar apples. Once outside, Thiassi captures Iduna and takes her to his homeland, causing the gods to age without their apples. The gods eventually realize Iduna is missing after noticing their decline. They threaten Loki, who agrees to rescue her. Using Freya's falcon feathers, Loki transforms into a falcon and transforms Iduna into a sparrow and carries her back to Asgard.

  Thiassi pursues them in his eagle form but is ultimately thwarted by the gods who light a fire that injures him, allowing the gods to kill him and rescue Iduna, restoring their youth with the golden apples.

Loki and the Dwarfs:

• Loki stole the golden hair of Sif, Thor's wife, causing Thor to pursue him in anger. After being caught, Loki promised to replace Sif's hair beautifully in exchange for his freedom Loki visited the dwarfs underground, persuading Dvalin to craft new hair for Sif from golden thread that would come to life. Dvalin also created gifts for Odin (a spear that never misses) and Frey (a magic ship that could sail through air and water). Loki boasted about Dvalin's skills, which was overheard by dwarf Brock, who claimed his brother Sindri could craft three better objects. Loki wagered his head against Brock's on the outcome, leading to a contest where Sindri crafted a wild boar, a magic ring, and a hammer. Loki attempted to sabotage Brock by transforming into a fly and stinging him, but Brock persevered. The hammer turned out with a short handle, but the gods deemed Brock the winner based on their gifts. Loki fled but was captured by Thor and delivered to Brock, who could take his head but not his neck, resulting in Loki having his lips sewn shut. He eventually cut the threads and regained his voice.

The Death of Balder:

• Balder, the best-loved of all gods, has a foreboding of death and shares his dreams with the other gods, alarming Odin. To protect him, Frigga makes every object vow not to harm Balder but overlooks mistletoe, deeming it insignificant. Loki discovers this oversight and secures mistletoe. He meets Balder’s blind brother, Hoder, and directs him to throw the mistletoe, which kills Balder. The gods grieve, and Hoder is horrified. Frigga seeks someone to negotiate with Hela to bring Balder back. Hermod, Odin's son, volunteers and rides to Niflheim to request Balder's return from Hela. Hela agrees to release Balder if all things weep for him; all agree, except for a hag (believed to be Loki in disguise) who refuses. Consequently, Balder remains in the land of the dead. The gods hold a grand funeral for Balder, including his wife and horse. Loki flees but is captured, bound with chains, and tortured by venom from a serpent, while his faithful wife Siguna catches it into a cup

Character List

• Loki: The trickster god who causes chaos and aids the gods.

• The Architect: A mountain giant who attempts to outsmart the gods.

• Iduna: The keeper of the golden apples of immortality.

• Thiassi: The storm giant who captures Iduna.

• Dvalin: Dwarf who Loki said was the best

• Brock: A dwarf who competes with Loki and ultimately wins.

• Sindri: Brock's brother who crafts enchanted gifts.

• Balder: Dies due to Loki and is the start of ragnarok

• Hoder: blind brother who gets tricked into throwing a mistletoe at balder

• Siguna: faithful wife of loki who catches the venom

• Hermod: volunteers to request balder’s release in Niflheim

The Tale of the Hero Siegfried

• Siegfried's Journey: Every year at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, anticipation builds for Wagner's "The Ring Cycle," a series of four operas based on the Norse hero Siegfried (or Sigurd in some myths). The operas intertwine Norse and German mythological elements and depict the story revolving around the cursed Ring of the Nibelung, which brings doom to all involved, including the gods.

  1. The Rhine-Gold: Sets the stage by explaining how the gods become connected to the cursed gold.

  2. The Valkyrie: Introduces Brunnhilde, a warrior maiden who is punished for defying Odin by being enchanted and put to sleep.

  3. Siegfried: Presents the hero Siegfried, who awakens Brunnhilde after passing through fire, and they fall in love, resulting in her giving up immortality.

  4. The Twilight of the Gods: Culminates in tragedy as Siegfried forgets Brunnhilde due to sorcery, leads to his death, and culminates in Brunnhilde's self-immolation, resulting in the destruction of Valhalla.

Ragnarok: The End of the Gods

• Ragnarok, rooted in Norse mythology, predicts the eventual destruction of the gods in a final battle, where a new god of love will emerge, leading to eternal happiness and peace. The destruction will be preceded by a triple winter and three years of devastation. Loki will lead the forces of evil, including the wolf Fenris, the Midgard Serpent, and Hela, as they approach the battlefield, Vigard. Heimdall will signal the conflict, with Odin leading his warriors but falling to Fenris. Vidar will avenge Odin by killing Fenris. Thor will defeat the Midgard Serpent but die from its venom. Loki and Heimdall will also kill each other. Ultimately, the universe will be destroyed, but legends suggest that one man and woman may survive to begin a new era of peace under the reign of the All-Father.

• Tuesday = Tiu’s Day

• Wednesday = Odin’s Day

• Thursday = Thor’s Day

• Friday = Freya Day’s