asgard 2 Flashcards
(28 cards)
Who is Baldur?
Baldur is the most beloved of the gods, the son of Odin and Frigga. Known as the god of light, he is gentle, kind, and a source of joy and beauty in Asgard.
What does Frigga do to protect Baldur?
Frigga makes everything in the world swear not to hurt Baldur, except mistletoe, which she deems too small and harmless to matter.
Who is responsible for Baldur’s death, and how does it happen?
Loki is the true culprit. He tricks Baldur’s blind brother, Hodur, into throwing a dart made of mistletoe, which kills Baldur.
What message can be taken from Baldur’s tale?
The tale warns of unchecked jealousy and the dangers of underestimating small threats, underscoring that even gods are vulnerable and love can be undone by deceit.
Why is Loki on the run?
Loki is exiled by the gods after causing Baldur’s death and flees to avoid punishment.
How does Loki escape from the gods?
Loki hides in a mountain hut and eventually transforms into a salmon to evade capture.
How does Loki outsmart himself?
Loki creates a fishing net to understand how fish avoid capture, but this very design is used by the gods to trap him.
What is Loki’s punishment?
Loki is chained to a rock with a venomous serpent above his head, its poison temporarily diverted by his wife holding a bowl.
Why is Loki’s punishment significant?
It reflects poetic justice: Loki, a god of mischief, now endures eternal agony, symbolizing balance and consequence.
What is Ragnarok?
Ragnarok is the Norse apocalypse—the final battle between the gods and their enemies, including Loki and Fenrir.
What events occur during Ragnarok? (List at least three)
- Fimbulwinter begins
- Loki and Fenrir break free
- The Midgard Serpent rises
What happens to the gods during Ragnarok?
Major battles occur, resulting in the death of all gods and giants.
What occurs many centuries after Ragnarok?
A new world is born, peaceful and fertile, with Baldur and Hodur returning, and Thor’s sons helping to rebuild.
How is the world changed after Ragnarok?
The new world is fairer and more peaceful, with gods reborn or remembered lovingly, showing that life and goodness endure after devastation.
What is the central theme of the three tales discussed: ‘Baldur,’ ‘The Punishment of Loki,’ and ‘Twilight of the Gods’?
They build toward Ragnarok, the Norse apocalypse, with Loki as a central figure whose actions lead to cataclysmic consequences.
In what ways is Baldur portrayed as a Christ figure?
He is the God of light, peace, and forgiveness, son of Odin, with parallels to Christ. His invulnerability mirrors Achilles’ heel, and his death signifies a sacrificial figure.
What moral lesson does Baldur’s tale convey?
Hubris/Pride: Baldur’s pride and his mother Frigga’s blind protection lead to his downfall, illustrating that the smallest thing (mistletoe) can cause the greatest harm.
What is the significance of Loki’s punishment in ‘The Punishment of Loki’?
His punishment mirrors Lucifer’s imprisonment until Revelation, with snake venom symbolizing suffering, sin, and eventual retribution.
What does Ragnarok signify in ‘Twilight of the Gods’?
It represents the end of the world and rebirth, with gods dying and worlds collapsing, but a new world emerging, echoing Christian resurrection narratives.
How does ‘Twilight of the Gods’ end, and what does it symbolize?
Despite the bleakness, it ends with rebirth, a reformed world, and the return of Baldur and other gods, showing a promise of hope.
What cultural influences are seen in modern weekdays?
Tuesday = Tyr, Wednesday = Woden (Odin), Thursday = Thor, Friday = Frigga/Freya.
Name some video games that incorporate Norse myth elements.
- Too Human
- Munin
- Jotun
- Elder Scrolls
How did Odin influence Christmas traditions?
Odin’s Yule night ride on Sleipnir inspired Santa Claus traditions.
What do the runes and symbols like Yggdrasill and Vegvisir represent?
Guidance and resilience.
