M4A1: Insight Research Paper

Name
Excelsior College
ENG252 Mythology
M4A1: Insight Research Paper

Analysis of Prose Edda and Thor

When and Where

The Prose Edda describes the pathway between the worlds as a bridge, the Bitfrost. Then High
One answered, laughing: “No one well informed would ask such a question. Have you never
been told that the gods built a bridge from earth to heaven called Bifrost? You will have seen it,
[but] maybe you call it the rainbow. (Thury 176) In the beginning of the movie Thor (2011)
Odin and his army are battling the Frost Giants and defeats them. Odin spares their king, Laufey
and takes their source of power.

Who
In the film we are introduced to Thor, the hero archetype. Loki is the trickster, evident by his
ability to trick Thor, Hogun, Volstagg, and Fandral to confront the Frost Giants of Jotunheim.

The Prose Edda describes the major gods within the story. High One replied: “The divine gods
are twelve in number.” (Thury 257) We are introduced to Odin, Thor, Loki, and many others.
We are given a description of Loki “Also reckoned amongst the gods is one that some call the
mischief monger of the Æsir and the father-of-lies and the disgrace-of-gods-and-men. He is the
son of the giant Farbauti and his name is Loki. His mother’s name is Laufey, and Byleist and
Helblindi are his brothers. (Thury 259) A difference in the film and the Prose Edda, Laufey is his
mother and not his father. We see the archetype hero in Thor and the trickster hero in Loki.

What is happening- Why and How

In the film we can see Thor on the hero’s journey. We see the departure, initiation and the
return. As Thor is being crowned King of Asgard, the ceremony is stopped when the Frost
Giants attempt to steal the casket. This act would be described as the call to adventure. Thor
meets the goddness, when Jane hits him with her truck. When Thor returns to Asgard, he has
changed. He is no longer reckless but now is worthy of the throne. Thor has now proven to Odin
he can be a wise ruler of the people of Asgard.

In the Prose Edda we see Loki described as a trickster hero. Loki turns himself into a mare to
frustrate the aims of the giant who undertakes the building of a stronghold for the gods. Loki
“romances” the builder’s horse, thus preventing him from finishing the stronghold on time.
(Thury 256) We see Loki using his powers to for good.

Loki, as the trickster played a significant role in the film, Thor (2011) and Prose Edda. The
archetype can be wise or play the fool. He can help to create or destroy. His character is flawed
M4A1: Insight Research Paper

and with human-like qualities.

The Prose Edda describes Loki as mischievous and malicious. Loki helps Thor in the eating
contest, to retain his honor. Loki is helpful, not malicious in this interaction with Thor. Later,
Loki‘s actions set into motion a chain of events that cause the death of Baldr the Good, Frigg’s
son. When Loki, Laufey’s son, saw that, however, he was annoyed that Baldr was not hurt, and
he went disguised as a woman to Fensalir to visit Frigg. (Thury 265) Loki actions created
mourning throughout Asgard; however, Loki felt no remorse for this action in the death of Baldr.

Loki in the film Thor (2011) is malicious. He attempts to kill Heimdall, to allow Laufey to visit
Asgard under the pretense of murdering Odin. Loki tries to destroy an entire planet and murder
Thor. As the two brothers battle and Thor finally destroys the Bifrost. We see the brothers almost
die until Odin awakens to save them both. At that moment, when Odin looked into the eyes of
Loki, you could see him pleading for the approval. However, when Odin rejects him, Loki makes
the decision to let go. At that moment, I realized all he wanted from his father was approval.
While I could not condone all of his acts, it did make Loki more human. The trickster has the
duality of good and evil that exists in us all, and this is why the trickster archetype endures to this
day.

References

Branagh, K. (Director). (2011). Thor [Motion Picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures.

Thury, Drexel University Eva M., Temple University Margaret Devinney. Introduction to
Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths, 3rd Edition.
Oxford University Press, 2012. VitalBook file.