The Norse Myths : A Guide to the Gods and Heroes

"The Norse Myths" presents the infamous Viking gods, from the mighty Asyr, led by Ódinn, and the mysterious Vanir, to Thor and the mythological cosmos they inhabit. Passages translated from Old Norse bring this legendary world to life, from the myths of creation to ragnarök, the prophesied end of the world at the hands of Loki's army of monsters and giants, and everything that comes in between: the long and problematic relationship between the gods and the giants, the (mis)adventures of human heroes and heroines, with their family feuds, revenges, marriages, and murders; and the interaction between the gods and mortals. Photographs and drawings show a range of Norse sites, objects, and characters, from Viking ship burials to dragons on runestones. Dr. Carolyne Larrington describes the Norse myths' origins in pre-Christian Scandinavia and Iceland, and their survival in archaeological artifacts and written sources, from Old Norse sagas and poems to the less-approving accounts of medieval Christian writers. She traces their influences into the work of Wagner, William Morris, and J. R. R. Tolkien, and even "Game of Thrones" in the resurrection of the 'Fimbulvetr', or 'Mighty Winter'. An exhilarating introduction to the vivid, violent, boisterous world of the Norse myths and their cultural legacy?from Tolkien to Game of Thrones The Norse Myths presents the infamous Viking gods, from the mighty Asyr, led by ??inn, and the mysterious Vanir, to Thor and the mythological cosmos they inhabit. Passages translated from Old Norse bring this legendary world to life, from the myths of creation to ragnar?k, the prophesied end of the world at the hands of Loki's army of monsters and giants, and everything that comes in between: the long and problematic relationship between the gods and the giants, the (mis)adventures of human heroes and heroines, with their family feuds, revenges, marriages, and murders; and the interaction between the gods and mortals. Photographs and drawings show a range of Norse sites, objects, and characters, from Viking ship burials to dragons on runestones. Dr. Carolyne Larrington describes the Norse myths' origins in pre-Christian Scandinavia and Iceland, and their survival in archaeological artifacts and written sources, from Old Norse sagas and poems to the less-approving accounts of medieval Christian writers. She traces their influences into the work of Wagner, William Morris, and J. R. R. Tolkien, and even Game of Thrones in the resurrection of the Fimbulvetr, or "Mighty Winter." Who were the Norse gods the mighty Æsyr, led by Óðinn, and the mysterious Vanir? In The Norse Myths we meet this passionate and squabbling pantheon, and learn of the mythological cosmos they inhabit. Passages translated from the Old Norse bring this legendary world to life, from the myths of creation to ragnarök, the prophesied end of the world at the hands of Lokis army of monsters and giants, and everything that comes in between: the problematic relationship between the gods and the giants, in which enmity and trickery are punctuated by marriages and seductions; the (mis) adventures of human heroes and heroines, with their family feuds, revenges, marriages and murders; and the interaction between the gods and mortals, as Óðinn, the Allfather, betrays his human protégés in order to recruit (dead) heroes for his army. Carolyne Larrington describes the myths origins in pre-Christian Scandinavia and Iceland, and their survival in artefacts and written sources, from Old Norse sagas and poems to the less approving accounts of medieval Christian writers. She traces their influences into the work of Wagner, William Morris and J.R.R. Tolkien, and even the recent Game of Thrones in the resurrection of the Fimbulvetr, or Mighty Winter. The Norse Myths Presents The Infamous Viking Gods, From The Mighty Asyr, Led By Odin, And The Mysterious Vanir, To Thor And The Mythological Cosmos They Inhabit. Passages Translated From Old Norse Bring This Legendary World To Life, From The Myths Of Creation To Ragnarök, The Prophesied End Of The World At The Hands Of Loki’s Army Of Monsters And Giants, And Everything That Comes In Between: The Long And Problematic Relationship Between The Gods And The Giants, The (mis)adventures Of Human Heroes And Heroines, With Their Family Feuds, Revenges, Marriages, And Murders; And The Interaction Between The Gods And Mortals. Introduction: Sources And Survivals -- The Gods And Goddesses -- Creating And Crafting The World -- Opposing Powers -- Fit For Valhöll : Human Heroes -- Heroes Of The Viking World -- End Times-- And Renewal. Carolyne Larrington. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 203-205) And Index. "'The Norse Myths' presents the infamous Viking gods, from the mighty Asyr, led by Odin, and the mysterious Vanir, to Thor and the mythological cosmos they inhabit. Passages translated from Old Norse bring this legendary world to life, from the myths of creation to ragnarök, the prophesied end of the world at the hands of Loki's army of monsters and giants, and everything that comes in between: the long and problematic relationship between the gods and the giants, the (mis)adventures of human heroes and heroines, with their family feuds, revenges, marriages, and murders; and the interaction between the gods and mortals."-- Source other than Library of Congress DEDICATION NOTE ON NAMES AND PRONUNCIATION AUTHOR'S NOTE MAPS Introduction: Sources and Survivals 1. The Gods and Goddesses 2. Creating and Crafting the World 3. Opposing Powers 4. Fit for Valhöll: Human Heroes 5. Heroes of the Viking World 6. End Times – and Renewal FURTHER READING SOURCES OF QUOTATIONS SOURCES OF ILLUSTRATIONS INDEX