essay topics for norse mythology

• Vili and Ve
• Fjorgynn and Fjorgyn
• Aegir and Ran
• Skoll and Hati
• Land Spirits
• Ask and Embla
• Huginn and Muninn
• Geri and Freki
• Berserkers and Other Shamanic Warriors
• The Einherjar
• Jörmungandr (Midgard Serpent or World Serpent)
• Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr
• Gullinbursti
• Mjölnir (Thor’s Hammer)
• Aegishjalmur (Helm of Awe)
• Gjallarhorn
• Gungnir (Odin’s Spear)
• Skidbladnir
• Brísingamen Necklace
• Horn Triskelion (The Horns of Odin)
• Nidavellir (Svartalfheim)
• Hel (The Underworld)
• Yggdrasil (World Tree)
• Ginnungagap
• Járngreipr (Járnglófar)
• Viking Runes Meanings
• Viking Symbols And Their Meaning
• Viking Tattoos
• Viking Food and Drinks
• Viking Clothing and Jewelry
• Viking Raids and Warfare
• Viking Weapons and Armor
• Viking Trade and Commerce
• Viking Ships
• Viking Politics
• Viking Heritage
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Bringing Norse Myths To Life: Writing An Engaging Essay

Only a few particular aspects of human mythology are comparable to the complexity and intrigue of Norse myths. Ranging from the thunderous clashes of the gods to the inspiring narratives of their great deeds, the sagas of Norse mythology have captivated the audience for many years. Yet what’s in our power as writers and enthusiasts, precisely, which will serve the new lifeblood to the old narratives under the restriction of an essay? So, take part in this venture and discover together the methods we use to turn mundane essays into something truly amazing, something that dives deep into Norse mythology.

Understanding Norse mythology

Full Scottish folklore, or the old sacred rituals of the Scandinavian Germans, manifests in its most spectacular form with the cycle of fanciful stories and mysterious characters of Norse mythology. Their essence is the exploits of the gods, Odin, Thor , and Loki, whose epic battles engage all realms and challenge the universal preconception. However, characters are less important in Norse mythology, as it’s a story about inevitable fate, honor, and the constant struggle between disorder and order as well. In case you’re interested in exploring and understanding this section of Norse mythology and the rest better, you can seek online assistance from a renowned coursework writing service . They boast well-established experts with a vast knowledge of the topic in detail.

Exploring the mysterious layers of Norse mythology, you get a sense of a vivid world filled with symbols and ideas that carry a lot of meaning. Across all the realms of this world, from the mighty Yggdrasil, the source of life and sustenance, to the recurrent stories of Ragnarök, the looming doom foreshadowed in prophecy, there are two aspects of myths that continue to be true and that remain uncanny: the myths with their ever-repeating themes and the mysteries that are neither. Additionally, Norse mythology was not only a source of superstitions but also a thing of art, culture, and literature. Many civilizations have captivated the notions of the gods and sagas that drew inspiration from the mythology of the Norsemen.

Crafting the essay

Effective writing about the Norse myths involves choosing and crafting an appropriate text and covering it with the main headings and subheadings. As aspiring mythographers, we must make it our responsibility to go on an exploration journey, both in terms of the most interesting stories and continuing to search and quest for more information. While we’re on this huge ocean of tales to pick valuable artifacts that will fit our readers’ romantic preferences, we need to find those treasures that captivate the reader’s imagination.

Mythology is the first area in which we’ll need to exercise the utmost caution and pick the right subject. While many people may know the deeds of gods like Thor, Odin and so on, this is just the tip of the iceberg as Norse mythology contains a true wealth of “minor events” whose stories are worth studying. A good illustration for this can be either recounting the sad story of Baldr and Nanna or revealing the mystery of the creation myth from Norse mythology. However, the selection must be done based on the extent of depth and relevance.

Once we’ve picked the legend or myth of our work through deep research and analysis, the research is now over and it’s time to start arranging the article with a focus on why the topic we chose is important and its consequences. Our essay should be steady yet pliant, directing the reader on a journey through the twisting worlds of Norse fables. In the introduction, we distill the story and introduce the myth we wish to discuss, which will give the reader a clear context for the rest of the essay, as well as the main thesis statement. Once we set the scene, we go on to examine the different aspects of the myth and interpretations in the body paragraphs. The conclusion compacts and summarizes the main points to reflect the broader significance.

Engaging the reader

Get ready to be immersed in a universe where divine beings dwell among humans, where giants and demons emerge from the dark, and where the whole universe exists to be unraveled. One of the strongest tools we can use is the combination of literary language and imagery. With a description that captures the spirit of the mythological world, we can take the readers on a journey of awe-inspiring natural beauty, icy winds, and rarefied sounds and sensations. Either by using the icy peaks of Jotunheim or the fiery hall of Valhalla as an example, it’s essential not only that the action must leap from the page but also that the entire reading experience be compelling enough to allow the reader to reach the impossible and have it become a reality.

However, creating a captivating atmosphere is not the only responsibility of an author; it necessitates the art of narration. We must create a narrative compelling enough to touch the reader’s hearts and souls and also involve them in the mystery and the excitement of Norse mythology. So, we can employ the use of surprise, terror, and complication to keep our audience overwhelmed. By engaging our audience in internalizing these fundamental notions and their relationship to their own existence, we’ll become closer to the essence of mythology and thus its heritage that encompassed our mentality for hundreds of years.

Writing style and tone

In essay writing, the composer’s tool of a mythographer is mainly style and tone. Wielded properly, they captivate and inspire the hearts and minds of readers. Finding the right note on which to walk the line between academic rigor and intelligibility is a must. You’ll make your readers understand and be captivated from the moment they start till they finish your composition. It can be pretty simple to follow an impulse to take up a very dry and academic tone, but we must resist this temptation to burrow into jargon and technicalities. Instead, we need to infuse our writings with very much character and passion, allowing our love of the topic to spark the attention of the reader word by word.

Equally, clarity and orderliness are key. Instead of having a series of independent paragraphs seemingly unrelated, the topic sentence of each paragraph must logically lead from one to the next in order to give the reader the kind of guided tour where the journey is both logical and intuitive. Through adopting a concise, straightforward writing style, we, as writers and enthusiasts, will successfully deliver the message without unclear thoughts.

Unveiling the essence of Norse mythology

The accounts of the Norse gods and heroes have provided us with bright beacons of light as to how to truly live from the majestic halls of Asgard to the dark depths of Hel , bringing fantasy to life. So, we as writers and enthusiasts have the responsibility to explore the vast ocean of Norse mythology to realize the countless tales that are yet to be discovered. Thus, let us get down to it all, and proceed to convey these epics to the new generations in the future through effective and engaging essay writing.

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Norse Mythology (Stories) Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the narrative style of Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology. Are the stories each related from the same narrative perspective? Are the stories related in past, present or future tense? Why are these choices significant?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze Odin in the stories of Norse Mythology. What are the main characteristics that Odin exhibits? What are his actions in the stories? What motivates Odin? Does Odin have a tragic flaw?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze Loki in the stories of Norse Mythology. Who are Loki's parents? Does he have siblings? Who are his children? What powers does Loki possess? Is he a flawed character?

Essay Topic 4

Describe and analyze the god Thor in Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology. What are Thor's powers? How would you describe his personality? What motivates Thor's actions in the stories?

Essay Topic 5

Define irony and cite examples of irony in the stories...

(read more Essay Topics)

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Ultimate Guide to Norse Mythology

Norse mythology is the compilation of the stories, religious practices, and myths of the ancient Nordic people. These texts span a period of time beginning in Norse paganism and continuing through the medieval era, during which most of Scandinavia converted to Christianity.

Pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped by the Norse clans

The Norse gods and goddesses are the array of deities honored by ancient Nordic worshipers. They primarily came from two different tribes, the Aesir and the Vanir, but were united in their efforts to fight the jötnar , a tribe of giants dwelling in another realm of the world tree Yggdrasil.

Popular Resources

Norse Cosmology

The assembly of cosmic realms, creation and destruction myths of Norse mythology

Norse cosmology focuses on how the Norse people perceived the cosmos and their place in it. It includes their creation myths, the nine realms of the universe, and their perception of the inevitable end of both humanity and the gods in the form of Ragnarok.

• Nine Realms
• Ginnungagap

Norse Literature

Body of texts informing most of what is known of ancient Norse mythology and religion

The Norse texts which provide the vast majority of knowledge of Norse mythology are recordings of oral histories dating from the 13th century. The most fundamental of these texts include the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda , the sagas of Icelanders, and inscribed objects such as amulets and runestones.

• Poetic Edda

10 Writing Prompts from Norse Mythology

Here we are again looking to ancient mythology to inspire stories. If you are into this sort of thing, I have two other posts you might like about Greek Myths,  Irish Myths , and Bulgarian Folklore .

This one was fun to do. Norse mythology is popular right now thanks to Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology and the new God of War game. For a more thorough reading of the stories I encourage you to check out Gaiman’s book. He is a wonderful storyteller. For my purposes I used Norse-Mythology.org . They have good, concise retellings that are often followed by scholarly commentary.

Below I have summed up ten myths and then given you prompts to follow to create your own stories using the themes from the original.

1) The Creation of Thor’s Hammer

Loki, being his mischievous self, cut of the hair of Thor’s wife Sif. When Thor found out, he was furious and threatened Loki, who begged for mercy and said he would get her new, better hair. Thor allowed this. Loki went down to Svartalfheim, home of the dwarves, to get Sif new hair.

He first went to the sons of Ivaldi who made him Sif’s new hair, Skidbaldnir (a ship that always has favorable winds and can fold up and fit in one’s pocket), and Gungnir (the best spear).

But Loki wasn’t satisfied, he hadn’t caused any trouble. So he went to the brothers Brokkr and Sindri and asked them to make gifts that were even better. He said if they did, they could have his head. They agreed. In order to win the bet, Loki took the shape of a fly and bit one of them each time they made an item. They made Gullinbursti (a live boar with golden hair “who gave off light in the dark and could run better than any horse”), Draupnir (a ring from which “every ninth night, fell nine new golden rings of equal weight), and finally Mjollnir (a hammer which never missed and returned to its owner). The only gift that was flawed was the hammer, which had a short handle.

Loki took all the gifts and returned to Asgard where he distributed them among Thor, Sif, Odin and Freyr. Despite how impressed they all were, they told Loki he owed the dwarves his head. He claimed they could only have his head and not his neck so it would be impossible. The dwarves settled for sewing his mouth shut.

Writing Prompt

Write a story where your main character must replace a magical item. Perhaps they stole the original and perhaps they were framed. What adventures could they have in trying to obtain the replacement?

2) Thor’s Womanly Disguise

Thor rose one morning to find his beloved hammer missing. After traveling to Jotunheim, land of the giants, Loki learned that Thrym, chief of the giants, had stolen it and would not return it unless Freya married him. This made all the gods angry and they devised a plan.

Thor would disguise himself as Freya and go to meet Thrym. Thor was not happy with this solution which he saw as being humiliating. But the others convinced him there was no other way. Loki went as his hand-maid.

When they arrived, Thor almost gave himself away by eating all the food available. When Thrym got suspicious, Loki told him Freya had been so lovesick she hadn’t eaten in weeks. Then Thrym lifted the veil to kiss his bride. “Thor’s eyes glared at him so intently that they seemed to burn holes right through him.” This time Loki told Thrym she had also been unable to sleep for weeks. He accepted these explanations and the ceremony was begun.

When Mjollnir was retrieved from its hiding place and laid in Thor’s lap as part of the proceedings, he took hold of it and slaughtered all the giants. He then, gratefully, changed his clothes.

This is a fun tale of disguises and tricks. I can imagine Loki doubled over laughing the whole time. Write a story where someone must don a disguise s/he finds distasteful. Have a secondary character around who enjoys every minute. Does the main character learn any lessons by the end?

3) The Kidnapping of Idun

One day Odin, Loki and Hoenir were traveling through the mountains and they stopped to eat an ox. But the ox wouldn’t cook over their fire. Finally, they noticed an eagle who told them he was keeping it from cooking. He would let the fire do its job if they let him eat from the ox first. They agreed but the eagle took the best parts and Loki charged in anger.

The eagle took hold of Loki’s weaponized branch and flew high above the mountains. Loki was so scared he would do anything. The eagle was actually Thjazi, a giant in disguise, and he wanted Idun and her fruit that kept the gods young. Loki agreed.

When the gods returned to Asgard, Loki found Idun and convinced her to follow him out of Asgard. He said he found fruits even better than hers and she should come see them and bring her own for comparison. When they were away, the eagle came and took her back to the mountains.

When she was gone, the gods began aging. They panicked and got angry when they found out what Loki had done. They demanded he go and bring Idun back. He flew to the mountains as an hawk and found Idun alone, Thjazi off fishing. He turned her into a nut so he could carry her in a talon and took off.

Before he had gotten far, however, Thjazi returned, found Idun missing, and began the chase. The eagle was quickly gaining on Loki and both he and the other gods were worried the hawk wouldn’t make it. They made a giant pile of wood around Asgard and when Loki crossed it, they lit it on fire, killing Thjazi in the explosion. Idun was safely returned.

There are a great many stories of goddesses being kidnapped and bargained for. Sometimes they escape and sometimes they don’t but they often have very little choice in the matter themselves.

Write a story where the kidnapped goddess/woman rescues herself, or is rescued by other women. Perhaps the men keep failing so the women take it into their own hands. Perhaps she wants to escape the “valiant knights” coming to her rescue as much as the evil-doer who kidnapped her in the first place.

4) The Marriage of Njord and Skadi

After the death of Thjazi, his daughter, the giantess Skadi, came to Asgard for vengeance. The gods managed to convince her to accept reparations instead.

First Odin took Thjazi’s eyes and cast them into the sky, turning them into stars. Next they were supposed to make her laugh. None were able until Loki played tug of war with a goat by tying his end of the rope to his testicles. Finally, she was allowed to choose one of the gods to marry, but she could only look at his legs and feet. Hoping to choose Baldur, she actually chose Njord.

After the wedding, they had to choose whose home to live in. Njord lived on the beach, being a sea god, and Skadi lived up in the cold mountains. They lived on the mountain for nine months and then went down to live in Njord’s home. Each hated the home of the other, being such opposites. Njord hated the sound of wolves and the unceasing cold. Skadi hated the constant call of seabirds. They decided they were too different to make it work and parted ways.

After all the times a man won a woman as a prize, a woman warrior decides to do the same. But she soon learns that winning your spouse is not all its cracked up to be.

5) The Binding of Fenrir

Loki had three children with the giantess Angrboda, Jormungand, Hel, and Fenrir, a great wolf. All three had terrible implications for the gods and the coming of Ragnarok. The gods force Jormungand and Hel into the ocean and underworld respectively, but decided to keep Fenrir in Asgard. Tyr, the god of law and honor, was the only one brave enough to feed and tend Fenrir.

When it became clear that Fenrir would grow too large to remain in Asgard, they decided to chain him and stash him away somewhere. They tricked Fenrir into letting them place all manner of chains on him by saying it was a test of his strength. They even cheered every time he broke free.

Finally, they sent to Svartalfheim, the realm of dwarves, and asked them to make a chain that would hold the wolf. They managed the feat: “it was wrought from the sound of a cat’s footsteps, the beard of a woman, the roots of mountains, the breath of a fish, and the spittle of a bird – in other words, things which don’t exist, and against which it’s therefore futile to struggle. Gleipnir (“Open”) was its name.”

Seeing this fancy new chain, Fenrir suspected a trap. He said he would only let them put it on him if one of them was willing to place his or her hand in his mouth as collateral, so to speak. All refused except Tyr. When the chain went on and Fenrir was unable to break free, he bit off Tyr’s hand.

The gods then moved the wolf out of the way and chained him to a boulder and placed a sword in his mouth to keep it open. The drool pouring from his mouth formed the river Van, or Expectation. He waited there until Ragnarok.

Write a story where the characters must deal with a force/person/beast/object that they know will eventually be their demise. They want to put it off and they know any solution will only be temporary. What lengths are they willing to go to in order to by some time?

6) Origin of the Cosmos

For this I will quote norse-mythology.org directly. They did a wonderful job of compiling the account and follow it up with some great commentary that I encourage you to read.

Before there was soil, or sky, or any green thing, there was only the gaping abyss of Ginnungagap. This chaos of perfect silence and darkness lay between the homeland of elemental fire, Muspelheim, and the homeland of elemental ice, Niflheim. Frost from Niflheim and billowing flames from Muspelheim crept toward each other until they met in Ginnungagap. Amid the hissing and sputtering, the fire melted the ice, and the drops formed themselves into Ymir, the first of the godlike giants. Ymir was a hermaphrodite and could reproduce asexually; when he sweated, more giants were born. As the frost continued to melt, a cow, Audhumbla, emerged from it. She nourished Ymir with her milk, and she, in turn, was nourished by salt-licks in the ice. Her licks slowly uncovered Buri, the first of the Aesir tribe of gods. Buri had a son named Bor, who married Bestla, the daughter of the giant Bolthorn. The half-god, half-giant children of Bor and Bestla were Odin, who became the chief of the Aesir gods, and his two brothers, Vili and Ve. Odin and his brothers slew Ymir and set about constructing the world from his corpse. They fashioned the oceans from his blood, the soil from his skin and muscles, vegetation from his hair, clouds from his brains, and the sky from his skull. Four dwarves, corresponding to the four cardinal points, held Ymir’s skull aloft above the earth. The gods eventually formed the first man and woman, Ask and Embla, from two tree trunks, and built a fence around their dwelling-place, Midgard, to protect them from the giants.

There is much in this tale that could be used as story inspiration. The rise of Odin, the son of the first gods, his killing (was it betrayal, murder?) of Ymir. The fact that, in order for a wold suitable for humans to live on, the first living being had to be slain, is a very compelling idea.

Try writing a story about a scholar uncovering the truth of their creation. One religion sets up the Odin-figure to be a hero and Ymir to be the evil he had to vanquish. Another calls Odin the villain who slew the peaceful Ymir. The scholar does some investigating to discover that they worked together in order to create a place safe for humans to live. What would be the religious, political, social, and other ramifications of such a discovery?

7) The Fortification of Asgard

One day a giant who was a smith arrived in Asgard. He offered to build a wall around the place that would protect it from anything. He told the gods he could build it in three winters and that his price was Freya, the sun, and the moon. The gods really wanted that wall but they didn’t want to lose Freya, the sun, and the moon. They had a debate and Loki told them they should agree to the giant’s payment but make him do it in one winter and with no help other than his horse. They decided this was brilliant as the giant could never finish it on time but they would still get a good portion of wall. The giant agreed as long as they guaranteed his safety during his stay in Asgard.

As the winter progressed so did the wall. The gods watched the giant and his horse, Svadilfari, make quick work of the project. They also noted that the horse did twice as much work, carrying the stones and equipment around. When there were only three days left, it was clear that the wall would be completed on time. The gods panicked. They didn’t want to lose Freya, the sun, and the moon but they couldn’t see a way out. They caught Loki and berated him for giving them this advice. They demanded he fix it.

So, when the smith and his horse went out into the woods to collect stones, Loki disguised himself as a mare. Svadilfari saw the mare and was immediately distracted. He took off and chased mare Loki. When the horse didn’t return, the giant knew he had lost his commission. He reported to Asgard. The gods decided that his payment would be death and Thor’s hammer “shattered his head into pieces no bigger than breadcrumbs.”

Loki mare, meanwhile gave birth to an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir. Odin rose this horse throughout the nine realms.

This story has quite a few interesting qualities: the mysterious stranger who offers a valuable service in exchange for an impossible price (why was a giant offering to help the gods anyway?), an oath made by gods but very soon regretted, the questionable choices made by said gods regarding said oath, a male god turning into a female horse to distract a male horse, the same god allowing him/herself to be caught in order to bear a child, the practical murder of the giant who did build them most of a fantastic wall. Wow. Where to start. The male-female thing is a can of worms I don’t think I have the time for right now so I’ll go with the oath angle.

I like the idea of the giant walking into the stronghold of his enemy and offering them his services, no matter how high the price. Or perhaps he was hoping they would negotiate. The commentator at norse-mythology.org ( https://norse-mythology.org/tales/the-fortification-of-asgard/ ) points out that without the wall Ragnarok is not far away, so he is helping them put off the end of their reign. What could have motivated him to do that, to help the enemy of the giants in this way?

So, create two civilizations who are so opposed that this act seems nearly impossible. What price does your stranger demand? What is the compromise? Does he see the betrayal coming and can he avoid it?

8) The Aesir-Vanir War

There were actually two tribes of Norse gods, the Aesir and the Vanir. The former included Odin and Thor and the latter included Freya, Freyr and Njord. Sources are a little vague on the differences and at times there seems to be no distinction. But they did have a war.

The war was started when the Aesir noticed Freya and her magic. She practiced seidr, “a form of magic principally concerned with discerning and altering the course of destiny.” The Aesir gods became so consumed with using her magic that they began to neglect their other duties like “honor, kin loyalty, and obedience to law.” Instead of owing up, they blamed Freya and tried to kill her three times. All three times she was reborn from the ashes.

After this incident the two tribes hated each other and the war began. The Aesir fought with weapons and force and the Vanir fought with magic. They were evenly matched and the war lasted a very long time. Eventually both sides tired of fighting and decided to make a truce.

As was the custom, they agreed to a hostage exchange. Freya, Freyr, and Njord went to live in Asgard and Hoenir and Mimir went to live with the Vanir. Freya and company lived happily enough but Hoenir and Mimir met with trouble from the Vanir. Hoenir would dispense wonderful advice but only when his brother was there. After a misunderstanding (and rather harsh reaction) they beheaded Mimir and the advice was gone. But Odin took Mimir’s head and enchanted it so that it would keep giving him advice when he needed it.

Rather than renew hostilities the two sides decided to let this misunderstanding go and they sealed their truce. They all spit into a cauldron. From the spit was born Kvasir, the wisest of all gods.

Write a story from the hostages point of view. Imagine a war between two opposing societies. Play up the differences or use their similarity as part of the plot. Follow the lives of the two groups of hostages as they are forced to live out their lives with their new hosts. Do any of them fit in? Are any mistreated? How do the others react? How do their families back home react? Are your societies as forgiving as the Norse gods in this example were?

9) The Mead of Poetry

After the Aesir-Vanir war the gods came together to create Kvasir, the wisest being. He went around sharing his wisdom and solving people’s problems. But not everyone was as kind and he soon met a terrible end.

Two dwarves, Fjalar and Galar, invited Kvasir to their home and when he arrived they murdered him and brewed his blood into mead. This mead granted anyone who drank it great wisdom and s/he would become a scholar or poet.

The dwarves were, apparently, fond of murdering people and after slaying a giant and his wife, they had to face the giant’s angry son, Suttung. They begged for their lives and the giant agreed on the condition that they give him the mead. They agreed. The giant then hid the mead under a mountain and bade his daughter, Gunnold, watch over it.

Odin did not want the mead wasting away under some mountain so decided to get it for himself. In disguise, he went down to the farm of Baugi, Suttung’s brother. There, he tricked Baugi’s farmhands into murdering each other. He then told Baugi he would do the work of all nine men if Baugi would help him get a sip of the mead. Baugi agreed, not thinking one man could do the work of nine.

When Baugi took Odin to Suttung and asked for the mead, Suttung, predictably, refused. Odin then made Baugi help him sneak in. He gave Baugi an auger and made him drill a hole into the underground chamber. Baugi tried tricking Odin but failed. When the hole was done, Odin changed into a snake and slid through. Baugi tried to kill him with the auger but missed.

Once inside, Odin met Gunnold. He made a deal with her. He would sleep with her for three nights if she would grant him three sips of the mead. She agreed (perhaps she shouldn’t have been locked up in the basement of a mountain for so long) and after the third night Odin took one gulp from each of the three casks, downing the whole thing. Then he turned into an eagle and flew off.

Suttung found out what happened and turned into an eagle to give chase. Suttung wasn’t fast enough though and Odin beat him to Asgard. The other gods had put out some containers and Odin spit up the mead into them. Some drops fell down to earth in the process, the source of all bad poetry and scholarship. Odin then dispensed the mead to those he thought worthy.

First, I love that this story starts and ends with spit. Ah, the Norse. Anyway, I think this myth inspires a good heist story. You could give Odin a team or just follow a single man or woman’s efforts. You could make things more interesting by adding other contestants for the prize.

Are they still trying to get to the bottom of a mountain? That seems like a good place to hide something so precious. But what other dangers are in store? Is the giant’s daughter all that she seems? Are there other creatures or traps awaiting the main character? And is s/he a hero or an antihero?

10) How Odin Lost his Eye

Odin, as you can tell from the previous myth, coveted knowledge and wisdom. He did a great many incredible things in order to obtain it. (I recommend you check out the myth of how he discovered runes .) On this occasion he found the Well of Urd, the well at the base of Yggdrasil, the world-tree.

Upon discovering the well, he wanted to drink from it. Mimir, who we have met and know to be extremely wise, was the guardian of the well. He wanted to make sure Odin wasn’t granted this blessing easily. He demanded that Odin pay for his drink with an eye. “Odin – whether straightaway or after anguished deliberation, we can only wonder – gouged out one of his eyes and dropped it into the well.” He was then allowed to drink from the well.

This myth is simple in its delivery, but complex in meaning. It is about sacrifice. Did Odin need to deliberate or should Mimir have raised the price? Write a story about sacrifice. Does your character want something for him/herself or for a loved one or for society? What is s/he asked to sacrifice and how willing is s/he to comply? In the end, is the sacrifice worth the reward?

Once again, I hope these myths inspired you to write many wonderful stories of your own. Let me know in the comments if you got any different writing ideas from any of these myths.

Photo credit:  SarahDarkmagic  on  VisualHunt  /  CC BY-SA

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Essay Sample about Viking Age: Norse Mythology

Introduction

From 793- 1066 AD during the Middle Ages, Norsemen, also known as Vikings, took raiding, colonizing, conquest, and trading to a whole new level. Starting their journey in Europe and eventually reaching North America. During this time period the Scandinavians changed history in many places around the world; Ireland, England, Russia, and many other European countries. Throughout this time period there are many important characters to take note of, Odin, Thor, and Loki. There are many more but these tend to be the most talked about. Along with the characters there were also a few literacy techniques throughout the story worth mentioning. 

From earliest times Odin was known as the war god and poets, he was discovered long ago in heroic literature as the protector of heroes. Odin was one of the most powerful Norse gods and has archetypes like wisdom, knowledge, healing, death, and war. Odin was a great magician among the Gods associated with runes. He was a tall, old man, with a following beard and one one eye, in which he gave in exchange for wisdom. He ruled over the ‘hall of slain’ or more commonly known as Valhalla. Odin had one of the most important tasks of all, imbuing the first people with spirit and life, while Vili and Ve gave the power of movement and the capability of understanding. Due to Odin’s role in the Norse universe, he was known as the Giver of Life. In today’s day some religions may consider him to be a modern day God. He ruled over the Aesir, a group of deities, throughout Norse mythology. We learn many lessons from Odin, one being learning is a lifelong process, it begins in early childhood and continues on until your last breath. Whether you realize the chance to better yourself or no, Odin sure did. He would sit with intelligent ravens, high throne, magical runes, etc. He was able to observe the whole cosmos with his ravens scouring over the Nine Worlds whispering in his ear what they had seen, and drinking the holy water that provided him with infinite knowledge, he could read magical letters that carried the destiny of many. 

Another popular character in Norse mythology is Thor, the god of thunder, the sky, and agriculture. Thor is the son of Odin, chief of the gods, and husband of Sif, the fertility goddess. Thor is known to be holding a hammer, which is used to associate lightning, thunder, storms, sacred groves and trees, strength, the protection of mankind, hallowing, and fertility. Thor’s core values are community, trustworthiness, compassion, and adventure. Throughout Norse mythology Thor’s courage and sense of duty was unshakeable, he had physical strength which was unmatched compared to other gods. Some could call him unstoppable when it came to battle.  

The last character worth explaining in Norse mythology is Loki. He was known for his cunning tricks and ability to change his shape and sex. Some of the time Loki is busy getting the Æsir out of trouble, other times he’s the reason they're in trouble in the first place. Loki is also known to be a companion of Odin and Thor. He pulls tricks throughout the story like spoiling the feast, cutting Sif’s hair, morphing into a female horse, and playing with Thor’s hammer. All of which are what make him such an exquisite character and so meaningful. 

As explained this reading is known for its poetry and or personification, another character not mentioned was Ymir.  He was a hermaphrodite who could reproduce asexually, he was said to be the first being, who happened to be a giant created from drops of water. The name Ymir comes from the word “Screamer.” He was considered to be formless but that didn’t stop the gods from giving him a meaning, making his words out of screaming, metaphorically speaking, the wordless voice is the raw material from which words are made. Once he passed the world creation began, by using the remains of the giant. Ymir was dragged into the center of Ginnungagap, where they created the world. His blood became the oceans, rivers, and lakes. His flesh became land. 

Kenning was another way the book captured its characters. Kenning was an expression in Old English and specifically used in Old Norse poetry which tends to have metaphorical meanings throughout the word or periphrasis. One common example would be “man of rings.” the kenning would be in the word “king.” In this story kings were men who gave out rings so it is fitting to call a king a “man of rings.” Another example in the story is, “The splendid hater of the fire of the sea defends the beloved of the enemy of the wolf; ships’ prows are set before the steep brows of Mim’s friend’s wife...” Folklore often associates gold with bodies of water, which is what the “fire of the sea” is referring to. Kenning is for gold. “Splendid hater of [gold]” refers to a king giving out gold to his followers as if he is trying to get rid of it. The “enemy of the wolf” is the god, Odin, who fights the wolf Fenrir. The last part refers to the word “beloved.” Odin uses this word for the Earth-goddess, Jord, some believe this was Odin’s wife. “Mim’s friend” is once again talking about Odin, and his “wife” Jord. Quotes like these can go on for a while and can take awhile to “decode” in order to better understand. 

Overall each one of these characters shaped Norse mythology and they are the true reason we know so much about it now. With the use of poetry and god-like characteristics all five characters had an outstanding impact as a viking.

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162 Mythology Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on mythology, ✍️ mythology essay topics for college, 👍 good mythology research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot mythology ideas to write about, 🎓 most interesting mythology research titles, ❓ research questions about mythology.

• Mythological Criticism of “Lake Mungo” by Anderson
• The Importance of Legends for Humanity
• An Analysis of “Tragedy Oedipus the King” by Sophocles
• Punishment in Greek Mythology: Prometheus and Sisyphus
• Analysis of the “Odyssey” by Homer
• The Hero’s Journey Pattern in the Epic of Gilgamesh
• Rhetoric of “The Myth of the Charioteer” by Plato
• Comparing Achilles and Hector in the Iliad Achilles is ruled by his uncontrollable passions which can be seen in his headstrong ways. But, Hector is motivated by his duty consciousness and this proves him as a noble leader.
• Similarities Between Norse and Indian Myths A comparative study of mythology is essential for understanding the specifics of cultural and historical areas in the ancient world.
• Friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu In the ancient Mesopotamian poem, The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the most important elements of the story is the friendship between the protagonist Gilgamesh and Enkidu.
• Comparison of Ares and Aphrodite in the Greek Mythology This paper focuses on Aphrodite and Ares as some of the key figures within Ancient Greek mythology and draws a comparison between their attributes.
• Creation Myths of Ancient Greeks and Egyptians The paper aims to compare the creation myths of ancient Greeks and Egyptians as researchers have thoroughly studied both mythic traditions.
• Oedipus & Macbeth: Comparison The given writings’ central theme is a fulfillment of the prophecies in a highly tragic manner, where the main characters learn about their demise beforehand.
• Facts about Hera the Greek Goddess This paper will offer an overview of this great Greek goddess Hera and highlight her various roles: a patron of women and marriage, a jealous wife, a beautiful woman.
• What Is a Definition of “Hero”? The word “hero” is associated with different views and definitions. This paper uses different perspectives and sources to describe the true meaning of a hero.
• The Greek Mythology and Myths Mythical narration occupies a central role in virtually all the different kinds of the Greek literature. Mythical narration plays an important role in nearly every genre of Greek literature.
• Comparison of Mythology: Prometheus and Loki Many elements of Prometheus in Greek mythology and Loki in Norse mythology are the same. They both behave in the same way because they are both their own mythical scammers.
• Literary Analysis of the Iroquois and Cherokee Creation Stories One of the essential and eternal questions that have been worrying people since ancient times is the history of the creation of this world, nature, and humanity as a whole.
• Impact of Greek Mythology on Contemporary Literature Greek mythology is an expansive set of fictional folklore. For centuries, it has been one of the most prominent cultural influences in Western arts, literature, and other mediums.
• Resilience: Oedipus and Hamlet Ancient Greek plots and motives are commonly reflected in the European literature of the New Age, which makes the heritage of different epochs comparable.
• Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Rita Dove’s “The Darker Face of the Earth” Rita Dove’s “The Darker Face of the Earth” is a poet reading that narrates the Oedipus drama, fabricated in terms of the African-American experience of slavery.
• The Children of Odin: Sigurd and the Hero’s Journey One of the chapters of Padraic Colum’s book The Children of Odin describes the birth and youth of Sigurd – a character of the Norse mythology and the central hero in the Volsunga saga.
• Scandinavian Mythology: The Life of the God of Thunder Thor The paper aims to describe the journey, overcoming obstacles, and returning home story of the mythical Scandinavian god Thor revived in the Marvel movies.
• Medieval Imagination: Beowulf vs. Russian Mythos Beowulf was written by an unknown writer between the eighth and eleventh centuries and appears to be a Christian rewriting of some of the oral folk tales.
• World Mythology Functions in the Myths “Ages of the World”, “King Arthur” and “Gilgamesh” Mystical experiences and social sensibilities these are two reasons that myths are written and conveyed throughout time.
• Travel Motive in Homer’s “The Odyssey” One of the most important ideas of The Odyssey is that each journey is not just an adventure, but a change in worldview and an overcoming of boundaries.
• The Functions of Disguise in the Odyssey Disguise can be defined as a behavior or appearance that conceals an individual’s true identity. Many people fear cloaks because they are mysterious and intangible.
• Politics and Government in the Epic of Gilgamesh The present paper will consider politics and government, which are central themes of the Epic and Gilgamesh, explore the political background in which the story was developed.
• Greek Heroic Motifs in “The Iliad”: Agamemnon and Priam In this essay, the analysis of two particular heroes, Priam and Agamemnon, will be introduced to investigate their lives through the prism of Homeric heroism in “The Iliad”.
• The Story of Asdiwal: Indian mythology The Story of Asdiwal provides the reader with a detailed overview of the lives of indigenous people, as well as Indian symbolism and traditions.
• The Judgment of Paris in The Iliad: Analysis Numerous references present the work's characteristics, making it a popular research subject in cultural studies to Greek legends.
• Achilles Life as a Son, Friend, and Warrior Achilles enjoys a legendary status in Greek mythology due to his bravery on the battlefield but beyond this, he was an obedient son and a compassionate friend.
• Aeneas and Gilgamesh in Mythology In literary works, the protagonists Aeneas and Gilgamesh are obsessed with uncertainty, so epic stories accurately reflect the ancient culture and society.
• Beowulf as a Tragic Hero of the Old English Warrior Culture Beowulf is a typical Aristotelian tragic hero who also exhibits the elements of the native Old English warrior culture.
• How Greek Mythology Subdued the Stress of Natural Phenomena The ancient Greeks created numerous engaging stories to explain such natural phenomena as volcanic eruptions, floods, and thunderstorms.
• Myths Featuring Conflicts Among Members of a Gods Family The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast two myths that depict a conflict between a family of gods.
• Creation Myth of the Iroquois Analysis In Iroquois legend, the world was formed as a result of the combined efforts of the animals who were already there.
• Myths in Modern Literature Myths present a valuable cultural resource because poets, playwrights, and artist applied ideas from them throughout the years.
• The Myth and Ritual Schools Though briefly as the space may require, this essay will delve into the origin of myths and rituals and the theories and theorists that abound.
• The Interconnection Between Goddess Mythology and Ecofeminism This paper investigates how Goddess mythology and ecofeminism are related, as well as the interconnection between animal rights and ecofeminists.
• “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell Mythology presents a hero as one with great strength and courage, one who is widely celebrated for bold exploits.
• Odysseus’ Encounter With the Cyclops Polyphemus Odysseus’ decision to blind the cyclops Polyphemus in the cave saved part of his team at the time but resulted in resentment or fear of helping them from other individuals.
• Dumbledore and Odin: Comparison Mythology is a critically important element of any culture. It represents values and ideas that attract people and contribute to the creation of inspiring stories.
• The Song of Roland and The Odyssey Comparison Homer’s characters are picked out of the public and carved into a hero’s place, but we find the French epic straight out of Disneyland.
• The Connection of Good and Evil in Tricksters Characters The paper is devoted to analyzing the two characters of the Scandinavian and Greek myths: Loki and Prometheus.
• “Greek Mythology” Article by Cartwright The history of Greece is one of the richest ones in the context of cultural heritage, and its features and grandeur are studied all over the world.
• Celtic Myth and Occult Thought in Yeats’s Works The paper will provide an overview and analysis of three works by Yeats that revolved around Celtic myth and occult thought.
• Ancient Mesopotamian Religion and Its Influence in ”The Epic of Gilgamesh” The Epic of Gilgamesh demonstrates the powerful influence of people’s religious beliefs on the central message of the story and the characters’ behavior and decisions.
• Attributes of Gods: Similarities and Differences The paper examines how ancient stories, literature, and cosmogonies describe Gods and their attributes and compares these mysterious deities.
• The Hero’s Journey: Transformation of the Non-Hero This paper will analyze the myth of Hercules, and prove that some heroes consciously choose the Hero’s Path and experience it more psychologically rather than psychically.
• Greek Mythology: The Life of Hades Greek mythology includes numerous outstanding and influential figures worth researching. The purpose of this paper is to research the events and facts from the life of Hades.
• The Twelve Labors of Hercules in Mythology Mythology is a big part of the culture of many nations and countries. It contains much wisdom and knowledge about the past, even though it is hundred percent fictional.
• Greek Mythology in the “Inception” Film by Nolan Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi thriller “Inception” does not use many of the building blocks of ancient Greek mythology, but they are present nonetheless.
• Hawaiian Mythology and Genealogy of Gods Native Hawaiians are particularly bonded to the land, or ‘o ka pae ‘aina Hawai’i, as the ancestral lands and the older cousin of Hawaiians.
• Discussion of “Aeneid” Story by Virgil The paper analyzes a passage from Book III of “Aeneid,” focusing on the summary of events and the form that Virgil uses to express his ideas and events.
• Themes in Beowulf: Annotated Bibliography Bravery – Beowulf is the most famous poem among the works of the Old English literature. It is the epic creation telling the readers about the strongest and the bravest of the English warriors of all times.
• Homeric Worldview’ Main Features – Greek Mythology The Homeric worldview resembles the orthodox Greek perspective, it characterized a flat and rounded disk of land enclosed by an endless ocean stream.
• What are the Main Features of the Homeric Worldview? Homeric conception of the world characterized a flat and rounded disk of land enclosed by an endless ocean stream.
• Classic and Mythical Creatures in Books and Animated Films There are parallels between the classic mountain and sea creatures of the seas and the creatures in the animated film “Spirited Away” and “The epic of Gilgamesh.”
• Gilgamesh’s Lesson in Search for Immortality This paper will reflect on the main lesson of immortality, why Gilgamesh dressed like Enkidu, and why he was afraid of death.
• The Theme of Loneliness in “Hamlet” and “Odysseus” The theme of loneliness has been explored countless times in numerous works of literature, yet the ones that address the specified issue most authentically are “Hamlet” and “Odysseus”.
• “Jupiter and Io” by Ovid In his poems, which Ovid wrote while being inspired by Roman folklore, he demonstrated the entire mythology of his time.
• Animal Themes in Mythology: The Fox Two tales compared in this paper highlight the differences between the Japanese and Native American views of the same animal, the fox.
• The Connection between the Ancient and Current World Heroes There is a strong link between ancient and current heroes. Mythically, the Greek and Rome dynasties are responsible for introducing the heroic phenomenon to the world.
• Goddess Mythology in a Concept of Nature Goddess mythology offers a conception that allows viewing nature as an interconnected organism, which has a flowing life cycle of birth and death.
• “Iliad” by Homer and “A Thousand and One Nights”: Comparison The paper compares “Iliad” by Homer and “A Thousand and One Nights” by their main characteristics: supernatural power, theme-dream, use of symbols, and settings.
• Decision Making in The Iliad Decision-making in ‘The Iliad’ by Homer is given by primary gods, as the most powerful creatures who could form peoples’ lives and change their destinies according to their fads.
• Supplication in the Iliad In the Iliad there are many scenes of supplication. Two of the most important scenes are the supplication of Chryses to Agamemnon and the supplication of Priam to Achiles.
• Mythology in The Hunger Games and Moana Films This paper examines the application of indirect mythological references in The Hunger Games and compares them with direct referencing to Polynesian mythology in Moana.
• Native American Myths and American Literature The most attractive works for attention in the canon of American literature were those that seemed to illuminate the entire diversity of American culture.
• Western, Experimental, Scientific and Religious Mythical or Magical Since beginning of history worldwide, there have been two key fundamental views; scientific and religious, that’s why, in the article discusses differences between them.
• Discussion of Persephone and Odysseus The narrative of Homer’s Odyssey is formulated with Odysseus’ travels and triumphs over obstacles, but makes room for the relationship between Odysseus and his wife, Penelope.
• Principles and Symbols in Maya Mythology This paper discusses similarities and differences in the way that gods, humans and animals are portrayed in the story of the Hero Twins and the Epic of Gilgamesh in Maya mythology.
• Deconstruction of Siegfried as a True Hero German myths have always been different from the overall European mythology. Aside from the setting, probably the most remarkable distinction is the hero.
• Myth About the Selkies Narrates About the Seal People The myth about the Selkies narrates about the seal people who have all the qualities of the Irish mentally thus disclosing the emotional contrasts of life.
• Cosmic Christianity: Eliade’s “Myth and Reality” For this paper, the subheading “Cosmic Christianity” was selected from the chapter in Mircea Eliade’s novel “Myth and Reality” to be reflected upon and analyzed in closer detail.
• The Killing of Balder in Norse Mythology The purpose of this research is to examine the image representing the death of Balder, the son of Odin, and analyze it of this myth in Norse mythology.
• Werewolves: Meaning Behind Monsters This paper will outline the background information on the monster as well as explain some of the more unique interpretations of werewolf stories.
• Analysis of Gods in the Epic of Gilgamesh The gods present one of the main themes in The Epic of Gilgamesh. This essay will focus on the gods in the story and explore their nature and motives.
• Ancient Sumerian Society in “Epic of Gilgamesh” “The Epic of Gilgamesh” reflects the respect towards outstanding features in humans and the appreciation of friendship, which apparently characterized ancient Sumerian society.
• Gilgamesh’s Search for Immortality: Inevitability of Death in a Story The Epic of Gilgamesh is generally the story of one man’s journey to outfox’s demise, and, strangely, the needs of a contemporary American have not changed much.
• Hybrid Creatures and Their Significance in Greco-Roman Myth The imagery of hybrid species, encompassing a wide array of bizarre anatomical combinations feature in numerous Greco-Roman myths.
• “Loathsome Eriphyle” in the “Odyssey” as an Antagonist to Faithful Penelope A specific issue discussed in the essay is the portrayal of Penelope’s loyalty and patience while waiting for Odysseus to return from his two-decade journey. A specific issue discussed in the essay is the portrayal of Penelope’s loyalty and patience while waiting for Odysseus to return from his two-decade journey.
• Creative Analysis of “The Epic of Gilgamesh” The study of the Scandinavian epic and its cultural function is relevant for understanding not only the history of culture but also its present.
• Euhemerism Theory and Myths Across Cultures Myths are the foundation of our cultural construct. Myths are based on gods and heroes who, according to the myth tellers, should be imitated.
• Hero’s Transformation in Ancient Literature Ancient mythologies always demonstrate the heroic and adventurous journey of a particular hero. The transformation of the hero’s character goes through the course of the history.
• Mythology in Relation to Historic Events Mythology can be used in artwork to represent actual historic events in the world. Myths intend to rationalize and give explanation of the world and all it contains.
• The Analysis of the Story of Oedipus The story of Oedipus at length is presented here for purposes of analysis, and to give credence to the statement that Oedipus could have been master of his own fate.
• The Image of Epic Heroes in Gilgamesh, the Iliad, and Beowulf Gilgamesh from the Epic of Gilgamesh, Achilles and Agamemnon from The Iliad, and Beowulf from the epic Beowulf may serve as the best examples of epic characters, which represent the image of a hero.
• Legends and Mysteries of Venice Venice city is termed the haunted city because of the legends, mysteries, and stories about it; some of the stories are those of serial killers, ghosts, witches, etc.
• Woman’s Love in the Iroquois Creation Myth and Bradstreet’s “To My Dear and Loving Husband” Both “The Iroquois Creation Myth” and Bradstreet’s poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” share a common theme of the strength of the love of a woman.
• Homer’s Odysseus as a Favorite Hero Homer’s memo emphasizes how great a leader Odysseus is in the book. He demonstrates taking risks, achieving a goal, and demonstrating what a true leader is.
• Frankenstein Mythology and Paleontology: Comparison The thirst for knowledge is universal for many scientific fields, but the novel “Frankenstein” by Shelley illustrates how it may carry one astray.
• Researching of Greek Mythological Painting This essay addresses a ceramic vase called Krater that illustrates a myth about Amazons, or women warriors, who battled the Greeks.
• The Image of Zeus: Virtuous and Despicable Human Traits Zeus, being one of the most famous gods, represents numerous virtuous and despicable human traits, proving that gods have many qualities making them similar to ordinary people.
• The Similarities Between Cherokee and Seneca Creation Myths Mythology consists of fantastic ideas of ​​the world, and characteristics of a primitive man transmitted in oral narratives – myths.
• The Myth of Heracles in the Modern World The myth of Heracles and his 12 exploits became an integral part of European art, as people elevated his muscular body to the divine rank.
• “The Sea of Trolls” by Farmer In the novel, a real historical figure Ivar is a king to whose court main characters Jack and Thorgil are forcefully sent.
• Mythology and Ancient Greco-Roman Beliefs Connected This paper aims to identify the connections between mythology and ancient Greco-Roman beliefs through the abilities, features, and lessons learned from hybrid creatures.
• Aphrodite of Knidos vs. Venus of the Rags By creating various artworks, individuals acquired an opportunity to show things that were important to them and make other people think about the ideas vital to them.
• Researching Criminal Mythology There are several myths that have been developed in view of the vice which has made societies have certain attitudes towards crime.
• Namwamba and the Magic Pots. Original Myth Namwamba, a local peasant farmer with two wives and six children, was famous in the village for telling stories that often left listeners with more questions than answers.
• Popular Culture: Artifacts, Icons and Myths Popular culture helps businesses to grow because they have to get what is trendy at any particular time in order to meet the people’s needs.
• The Hymn to Demeter. Eleusinian Mysteries Despite the important role of Persephone in the hymn, Demeter performs most of the actions that result in the establishment of the Eleusinian Mysteries.
• The Uses and Modifications of Ancient Mythologies Mythology refers to a branch of knowledge that deals with myths, especially the sacred tales and fables told by different religions, cultures, and traditions.
• Homer’s Iliad and Sophocles’ Three Theban Plays The article is an analysis of Homer’s “Iliad” and Sophocles’ “Three Theban Pieces” – plays proving the greatness of ancient Greek literature.
• Oedipus, the King and Hamlet: Analysis Belonging to entirely different cultures and addressing quite different social and psychological issues, “Oedipus, the King” and “Hamlet” might seem quite distant from each other.
• Managing Dilemmas: Homer’s “The Odyssey” At this point of the story, Odysseus’ and Penelope’s strategies for dealing with the crises they face are similar in that both of them utilize cunning to gain their goals.
• Heroism in “Odyssey” by Homer and “Inferno” by Dante This work aims to study such an aspect of human experience as heroism in Odyssey by Homer and Inferno by Dante Alighieri.
• Perseus Personage, Provided Mythological Character Perseus has been highly popular in the later mythological tradition, where one can pinpoint various movies and cartoons with the given central character.
• Moses’ Biblical Journey This paper discusses Moses’ Biblical journey in relation to Campbell’s characteristics of a hero. The suffering of the Israelites prompted God to look for Moses.
• Phoenix and Cycle of Struggle Mythical and majestic phoenix dies under its power and emerges from its collapse, which makes its immortality cyclical. Phoenix’s main quest is to ease the pain of her beloved one.
• Caution and Restraint in Books 17-20 of Homer’s “The Odyssey” Books 17-20 of Homer’s “The Odyssey” concentrate on Odysseus’ arrival to his palace in a beggar’s disguise and the adventures surrounding his unannounced return.
• Social Mythology, Superheroes, and Diversity in Films Several aspects of mythology, superheroes, and diversity exist in modern society. There are wide-ranging diversity elements across societies, even in the contemporary world.
• “The Gods in the Homeric Epics” Book by Kearns This article is a review of Kearns’s Gods in Homeric Epics, in which the author explores the distinctive style of depicting the gods in Homer’s writings.
• Odyssey, the Man and Myth Odysseus’ patient brings benefits and strength as it enables him to succeed and face obstacles on his way back home.
• The Epic of Gilgamesh: Gilgamesh and Enkidu The epic’s ending demonstrates, Gilgamesh and Enkidu had been wrong, and their seeming immortality did not allow them to avoid imminent death.
• Hero’s Journey Concept in Literature and Movies: The Role of a Mentor While watching a film or reading an interesting book, it might be hard to notice a pattern that every story seems to follow. A hero is living a normal life and then begin an adventure.
• Utnapishtim’s Teaching About Immortality Uta-Utnapishtim’s primary teaching is death’s inescapability, and that immortality has numerous forms, Gilgameshe’s would be Uruk.
• Creative Analysis “The Tale of Fafnir” The archetypical analysis shows that in Mesopotamian culture, women were regarded mostly as bringers of life and mothering figures.
• Oldest Works “The Epic of Gilgamesh” The main themes of “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, one of the oldest extant literary works in the world, are a journey, ambition, and fear of death.
• Oedipus as a Perfect Tragic Hero Based on the major concepts of Aristotle, Oedipus can be seen as a perfect tragic hero who is characterized by all five features of such a hero.
• Inuit: Mythologies From Distant Places This essay describes the mythological culture, religion, rituals, and sociology of the Inuit. It also discusses the insights provided by the stories.
• Oban on Native American Indian Culture and Values The bear has always been part of Native American Indian culture and mythology, throughout the story, the traditional beliefs of Indians about bears are clearly articulated.
• Modern Issues in “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Camus This work briefly describes the article “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Camus, pays the reader’s attention to the main issues raised in it, and appeals to the problems of today.
• A Mythical Miracle on Utube: Tchaikovsky Concert This e-concert is amazing. There are three different orchestras playing some of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s best pieces.
• Vampires: From Ghoulish Demons to Stylish Icons Vampires are probably the most popular mythical creatures, having some manner of cultural existence across the globe.
• Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King by Sophocles Sophocles, the great Greek tragedian, presented one of the most delightful literary works, the tragedy “Oedipus Rex” or Oedipus the King.
• Sophocles’ Antigone: Cause & Effect Essay The given work is aimed to show the cause and effect throughout many instances in the plot of the novel “Antigone”.
• Theories of Selected Creation Myths The creation myth brings out the consciousness and human progressive experiences to the next level of existence. The myth comprises of the definition of God and its symbolic nature.
• Kogi, Mundurucu, Yanomamo, Ona, Yahgan Origin Myths The paper compares the origin myths for the Kogi, Mundurucu, Yanomamo, Ona, and Yahgan to identify how humans and nature are twists and what symbolical implications patterns have.
• Five Priorities for Wisest Life: “The Odyssey” by Homer This paper discusses five priorities for living the wisest possible life according to character and moral examples derived from Homer’s “The Odyssey”.
• Where Did Greek Mythology Come From?
• What Creatures Lure Sailors to the Rocks With Their Magical Voices in Greek Mythology?
• Who Is Hestia in Roman Mythology?
• How Far Does Celtic Mythology Date Back?
• How Many Gods and Goddesses Are There in Egyptian Mythology?
• Who Created the Universe in Egyptian Mythology?
• Which River Formed the Boundary Between Earth and the Underworld in Greek Mythology?
• What Powers Do Cats Have In Egyptian Mythology?
• Is Mythology Art a Part of Symbolism?
• What Role Did Mythology Play in Greek Culture?
• In Greek Mythology Who Is the God of the Underworld and the Dead in Greek Mythology?
• What Is the Purpose of Roman Mythology?
• Does Norse Mythology Predate Christianity?
• Who Created Roman Mythology?
• What Are the Characteristics of Chinese Mythology?
• What Were Nymphs in Roman Mythology?
• Who Was the Goddess of the Rainbow in Greek Mythology?
• What Does Egyptian Mythology Explain?
• What Are the Major Differences Between Primitive and Classical Mythology?
• How Was the World Created in Greek Mythology?
• What Was Medusa’s Hair Made of in Greek Mythology?
• How Is Mythology Formed?
• Who Was the Messenger of the Gods in Roman Mythology?
• Where Did Celtic Mythology Originate?
• Which Creature in Greek Mythology Was Half-Man and Half-Bull?
• Why Is Egyptian Mythology Important?
• Which Handsome God Was Killed by a Twig of Mistletoe in Norse Mythology?
• Who Was the Wife of Zeus in Greek Mythology?
• Which Mythical Greek Hunter Is Associated With a Constellation Named After Him?
• Who Was the Guardian of the Rainbow Bridge in Norse Mythology?

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These essay examples and topics on Mythology were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on December 27, 2023 .

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The poetic Edda : essays on Old Norse mythology

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Norse Mythology: Description and Features

This essay focuses on Norse Mythology, particularly in relation to English 503. Our main sources of information about Norse Mythology are the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. The term “Edda” refers to sagas in Icelandic, and these stories are commonly called The Sagas. Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic writer from around 1200, wrote the Prose Edda. In the introduction of the book, Snorri explains his understanding of the origins of pagan knowledge. The Prose Edda itself is based on belief systems centered around ancient Nordic gods, also known as heathen gods, and it documents and clarifies people’s beliefs before they embraced Christianity.

The book is structured into three main sections, namely Gylfaginning, Skaldskaparmal, and Hattatal. Gylfaginning primarily delves into the gods and their functions in the world, along with the creation and eventual destruction of the world. Skaldskaparmal examines narratives that offer insight into poetry and the utilization of names in everyday speech.

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Hattatal is a compilation of ancient poetry that provides insights into both ancient poetry and mythology. The Prose Edda, originally written as a fictional textbook, serves as our primary source of knowledge on ancient mythology and has played a crucial role in this field for several centuries. The Poetic Edda, containing Old Norse poems, was discovered in the Icelandic medieval manuscript Codex Regius. Despite its author remaining anonymous, Norse Mythology encompasses stories of heroes, kings, and various supernatural beings.

The relevance of Norse Mythology persists in the present day due to its heavy influence on JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga. In the era of Vikings, people held belief in the old Nordic gods; however, their importance dwindled with the advent of Christianity in Iceland circa 1000 AD. Nonetheless, heathenry endures in Iceland and coexists harmoniously with other faiths. This essay will explore Norse Mythology and analyze its three most renowned gods.

In Norse mythology, there exist nine realms: Asgard (the abode of the gods), Midgard (where humans reside), Alfheimr (home to elves), Svartalfaheim (dwelling place of black elves), Vanaheimr (realm of the vanir), Muspellheim (domain of fire), Jotunheimr (the realm of jotnar or mesomorphs), Niflheim (inhabited by those who die from illness or old age, under Hel’s control). These interconnected realms are linked through Yggdrasil. In heaven, two kinds of elves can be found: light elves inhabiting Alfheimr known for their vibrant colors and adorableness, and dark elves residing underground as notorious creatures with a malevolent nature.

Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic author of the Prose Edda and the Ynglinga Saga, noted that Norse myths display influence from Greek and Roman mythology. According to Snorri, Asgard, the residence of the Norse gods, can be likened to Troy in Greek mythology. As per Snorri’s account, Asgard is situated in Asia (Asia Minor or modern Anatolian Turkey), specifically in a place known as Asaland or Asaheim. It is evident that there exist numerous parallels between Norse, Greek, and Roman mythologies. These mythologies share common themes such as the origin of the world, succession of power among deities, a catastrophic flood that wipes out humanity, and ultimately the eventual destruction of our planet.

These are overarching themes. The specific narratives within mythologies are shaped by the corresponding culture and beliefs of the people who embraced these myths. The resemblance between Roman and Greek mythologies stems from the fact that Greeks had established themselves in certain regions of Italy. The only way to access Asgard was via the “Rainbow Bridge” known as Bifrost. The red portion of the rainbow represents blazing inferno, rendering the bridge impassable for mountain-giants and frost-giants. The responsibility of guarding the entrance was bestowed upon Heimdall. Heimdall resided in a place called Himinbiorg, which was constructed near Bifrost.

The distinct and serious nature of Norse Mythology sets it apart from other mythologies. Both the characters and the world, including Asgard, possess a somber and grave demeanor. This can be attributed to the ultimate fate of the gods, who are immortal but destined to be destroyed in the final battle between good and evil. Among these deities, Odin is the supreme ruler, wielding immense power as a warrior while governing over Asgard. Odin is known by numerous names that exceed 169 in number. He is actively involved in matters of governance and exclusively indulges in wine, which he also uses to provide sustenance for his wolves. With his ability to shape-shift, Odin can take on various forms and possesses great prowess in both mystical crafts and spellcasting.

He was the son of Bor and Bestla, a Jotun woman. With his two brothers, Vili and Ve, he created the world and mankind. His wife, Frigg, is the most powerful goddess. Together they had the sons Balder and Hod. Balder was renowned as the best and admired by all. He married Nanna and they had a son named Forsete. He also built Hringhorni, one of the most magnificent ships. However, Balder often had dreams about his own death. In order to protect him, his mother Frigg made all the objects in the world swear not to harm him. While everything agreed, mistletoe did not.

When Loki learned about the news, he had a mistletoe arrow made. While the gods were engaged in a game where they attempted to harm Baldur, who remained unharmed, Loki gave the arrow to Hod, who was Baldur’s god brother and blind. Using the arrow, Hod unintentionally killed his own brother. This incident clearly depicts Loki as an evil individual. Next to Odin, there are two ravens called Huginn and Muninn, symbolizing Odin’s intellect and spirit. Odin resides in Valhalla and possesses a horse named Sleipnir, which has eight legs. In addition to being a charismatic figure, Odin had three sons born out of wedlock and was also renowned as a poet.

The text draws attention to the resemblance between a golden ring that can create eight additional rings and John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s story “The Lord of the Rings”. In Tolkien’s book, there is one dominant ring among the nine rings. These include three for the elves, nine for humans, and seven for dwarfs. Similar to Odin’s ring with its multiplying ability, the one ring in Tolkien’s tale shares these characteristics. Moreover, all the names of dwarfs in “The Lord of the Rings” originate from Snorri’s Prose Edda seeress prophecy.

Odin, the wisest god in Norse mythology, gave up one of his eyes in exchange for a drink from Mimir’s magic well. This well was said to bestow great wisdom upon anyone who drank from it. Desperate to become more powerful and knowledgeable, Odin sacrificed his eye to gain this wisdom. As a result, he became renowned as the god with one eye. Odin is also connected to other gods in Indo-European religions, such as Zeus in Greek mythology. Together, they are associated with destruction.

Zeus and Thor, both having unfaithful wives resulting in numerous children with other women, are known for their frequent relocations and use of disguises. Despite Zeus having more offspring, both gods possess this trait. Thor, the son of Odin, is famous for his immense strength and plays a significant role in German mythology. His wife Sif is renowned for her golden hair whereas Thor himself has red hair and a beard while being described as irritable. He travels in a chariot pulled by two goats which he consumes every night but magically restores them by throwing the bones back onto their hides each morning.

Thor gained the moniker “thunder god” because of the thunderous noise his chariot’s wheels produced and the sparks it generated in the sky, resembling thunder and lightning. Additionally, he owned a formidable hammer called Mjollnir that he could hurl at any target and it would unfailingly come back to him. In his constant conflicts against the Jotuns, mighty giants, Thor relied on his enchanted belt for assistance. Furthermore, he had a daughter named Trud with Sif, who possessed both sweetness and strength, as well as a son named Modi with Frigg.

Thor had a child named Magni with his mistress, a jotun woman. The name Thursday is derived from Thor. Loki, known as the “trickster,” resides in Asgard. His father, Farbauti, is a mesomorph, and his mother is a giant named Laufey. Loki is considered a god or jotunn, and there is no evidence of him being worshipped. He is described as both handsome and iniquitous. Loki possesses the ability to shape-shift into various forms, such as salmon, seal, fly, horse, and more. Additionally, he fathered three dreadful children with a troll named Angurboda.

The Midgard worm, who resides around Midgard, is the oldest among them. Another creature is Fenriswolf, a wolf who has a daughter named Hel, controlling Niflheim, the underworld. Loki, the evil one, is married to Sigyn and they have two sons. Although Loki constantly plays tricks on the other gods, they always retaliate more severely. Loki is undoubtedly the most scandalous god of all time. When the gods discovered Loki’s involvement in Baldur’s death, he fled to a mountain and often concealed himself in the form of a salmon.

Loki was in the form of a salmon when Thor caught him. Once captured, Loki was bound with the innards of his own son, and the gods positioned a snake above him, allowing venom to trickle onto his head. Loki’s wife, Sigyn, sat nearby, holding a bowl over his head to catch the poison. However, whenever Sigyn needed to empty the bowl, the venom would fall on Loki’s head, causing him to thrash so violently that earthquakes occurred. During Ragnarok, Loki will confront the jotuns instead of the gods, engaging in a battle against Heimdall whom he ultimately slays.

Yggdrasil, the tree of life, is a sacred place where all roots lead to the three main worlds: Asgard, Midgard, and the netherworld. Daily meetings are held here. Yggdrasil is the longest and thickest tree. At the tree’s bottom, there is a hall where three witches named Urdur, Verdandi, and Skuld (which means debt in English) determine when people will pass on. (Silja A?alsteinsdottir 1992: 22) The top of the tree is occupied by an eagle, while at its roots lingers the serpent named Nidhogg.

The eagle and the serpent were foes; a squirrel named Ratatosk would constantly scurry up the tree. Whenever Nidhogg insulted the eagle, Ratatosk would promptly scale the tree and inform the eagle of Nidhogg’s remarks. The eagle would always speak ill of Nidhogg. Ratatosk had an affinity for gossip, which perpetuated the enmity between the eagle and the serpent. Encircling the Yggdrasil tree, four harts graze, symbolizing beauty and harmony. Ragnarok signifies the ultimate clash between the gods and the Jotuns (giants). Ragnarok literally translates to the demise of gods.

The doom of gods and the end of the world will take place on the plains called Vigrid. The first indication of the upcoming Ragnarok is the murder of Balder, son of Odin and Frigg. Another warning that Ragnarok is emerging is three succession hard winters that last three years with no summer between. Wars and evil will rule the world during these three years, causing people to suffer. These three continuous winters are known as the Fimbulwinter. The Midgard worm, Jormungand, will squirm violently, resulting in enormous waves crashing towards land.

In his attempt to ascend the shores of land, Odin will face the disappearance of the stars and witness Yggdrasil, the tree of life, groaning and shaking. He will engage in a battle against the Fenrir Wolf, who is the son of Loki. Unfortunately, Odin will be defeated and ultimately consumed by the wolf, as he was aware that this was his destined fate. However, Vidar, Odin’s son, will seek vengeance upon his father’s killer. Utilizing incredibly powerful boots crafted from all the leftover leather scraps from the human realm, Vidar will deliver a frightful forceful kick to the Fenrir wolf, ultimately slaying it.

Thor will battle Jormungand, the Midgard worm and son of Loki. He will successfully kill the worm, but his triumph will be brief as he will only manage to take nine steps before succumbing to the deadly venom in his veins. Meanwhile, a jotun will start a catastrophic blaze that engulfs the worlds, turning Asgard into a fiery inferno. During Ragnarok, an event in Norse mythology, many beings including gods, humans, dwarfs, and giants will meet their demise. The surviving deities will mainly be Odin and Thor’s offspring. Unquestionably, Norse Mythology is an engrossing subject that I thoroughly enjoy exploring and studying. I have dedicated over a year of my education to diving into this fascinating realm through my Icelandic 203 and 303 courses.

The world of Norse Mythology has always captivated me due to its explanations of the world and people’s beliefs. It offers valuable insights into early Icelandic history and culture. Numerous authors and filmmakers have incorporated this mythology into their creations, each with their own distinctive style. I have noticed common themes in different movies and episodes that draw inspiration from Norse mythology. Therefore, I strongly suggest individuals to delve into and embrace Norse mythology as it presents a unique viewpoint on the world and existence.

References:

1) The website for Norse mythology, found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norse_mythology , was accessed on November 2nd, 2010. 2) The Wikipedia page about Loki can be located at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki and was accessed on November 4th, 2010. 3) The Wikipedia page about Odin is situated at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odin and was accessed on November 5th, 2010. 4) The webpage containing information about Thor from mythicalrealm.com can be found at http://www.mythicalrealm.com/legends.thor.html and was accessed on November 5th, 2010. 5) The dedicated website to Norse mythology is available at http://www.norse-mythology.com and was accessed on November 28th, 2010. 6) Silja Aðalsteinsdóttir’s book “Orð af Orði” was published in Reykjavík by Mál og menning in the year of 1992.

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The Gods of Greek Mythology

This essay about the gods of Greek mythology explores how these deities reflect human nature and cultural values through their complex behaviors and interpersonal dynamics. It highlights key figures such as Zeus, known for his authoritative yet morally complex character; Hera, who embodies themes of loyalty and revenge; Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare; Poseidon, who represents the dual nature of the sea; Aphrodite, focusing on love and attraction; and Hades, who oversees the underworld and embodies themes of order and continuity. Additionally, Demeter’s story is discussed to illustrate themes of maternal love and the cycle of life. The essay emphasizes that these mythological figures are more than just supernatural beings; they offer profound insights into human behavior and the universal mysteries surrounding life’s significant questions. Through their stories, these gods continue to serve as symbols of human traits and cosmic principles, providing timeless lessons on justice, power, love, and ambition.

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Greek mythology, with its colorful pantheon of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures, has captivated audiences for centuries, not just as ancient lore but as a reflection of human nature and cultural values. The gods of Olympus, while immortal and mighty, exhibit an array of very human emotions and flaws, making their stories both relatable and instructive.

Zeus, the formidable king of the gods, is perhaps the most well-known figure. His escapades are legendary, involving numerous disguises and affairs, highlighting his complex character—powerful yet prone to human weaknesses.

Despite his dominance, Zeus often finds himself entangled in negotiations and disputes with other gods, reflecting the complexities of leadership and authority.

His wife, Hera, often depicted as vengeful and jealous in the face of Zeus’s infidelities, is also a dignified queen and protector of women and marriage. This duality showcases her as a figure of both wrath and guardianship, emphasizing the themes of loyalty and betrayal.

Athena, born fully armed from Zeus’s forehead, is the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. Unlike Ares, who embodies the brutal and chaotic aspects of war, Athena represents a reasoned approach to conflict, emphasizing intelligence and diplomacy over sheer force.

Poseidon, the tempestuous ruler of the sea, embodies the unpredictability of the ocean. His dual nature as a provider of calm seas and a bringer of storms mirrors our own world’s natural wonders and dangers, reminding us of the potent forces at play in nature.

Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, adds a layer of intrigue with her powerful influence over both gods and mortals. Her stories explore the complexities of love, from passionate affairs to the impact of her divine charm, offering insights into the forces of attraction and desire.

Hades, often misunderstood as merely a dark figure, is actually the ruler of the underworld, overseeing the realm of the dead. His role highlights the Greeks’ views on life, death, and the afterlife, emphasizing order and continuity.

Demeter’s tale of losing and then regaining her daughter Persephone, which leads to the changing of the seasons, beautifully illustrates themes of maternal love, loss, and the cycle of life and renewal.

These gods’ interactions—their rivalries, alliances, and romances—form a rich narrative tapestry that reflects the Greeks’ understanding of human dilemmas and cosmic mysteries. Greek mythology is more than just stories of the divine; it’s an exploration of life’s big questions through the lens of these larger-than-life characters. These myths provide ongoing lessons on justice, power, love, and ambition, making the ancient gods enduring symbols of human traits and the universe’s profound mysteries.

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