5 Of The Most Violent Stories In Norse Mythology (Video)

Norse mythology is brimming with violent stories, many of which feature brutal battles and gruesome punishments. One of the earliest and most notable tales involves Ymir, the first being in the universe. Odin and his brothers killed Ymir and used his body to create the world, fashioning the earth from his flesh and the sky from his skull. The clouds, disturbingly, were made from his brains.

Thor’s encounters with giants also reflect this violent tradition. In one story, he went fishing with the giant Hymir, who feared they might encounter the world serpent, Jörmungandr. Thor, undeterred, hooked the serpent and attempted to drag it from the ocean. When Hymir panicked and cut the line, Thor, in his rage, threw the giant into the sea.

Balder’s death is another infamous event. After every living thing in the universe swore not to harm him, Loki tricked the blind god Hodr into killing Balder with a sprig of mistletoe, the one item that had been overlooked. This death was seen as a harbinger of Ragnarok, the eventual destruction of the gods.

Following this, Loki faced a violent punishment. The gods bound him in a cave using the intestines of his own son and suspended a venomous snake above him. The creature’s venom dripped onto Loki, causing him eternal pain.

Finally, Thor’s legendary battle with Jörmungandr during Ragnarok represents one of the most iconic showdowns in Norse mythology. Though Thor succeeded in slaying the serpent, he succumbed to its venom shortly afterward. This fatal encounter signaled the approach of Ragnarok, the apocalyptic battle in which many gods and giants would meet their end.

Top image: A scene from Ragnarök of the battle between Thor and Jormungandr, by Emil Doepler, circa 1905.                Source: Public Domain

By Robbie Mitchell