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Norse mythology in popular culture | HearLore
Norse mythology in popular culture
Antiquaries of the 19th century such as George Webbe Dasent brought the mythology of Scandinavia back to the popular notice of many people in Germany and England. In both cases, Norse mythology was recognized as the latest surviving form of Germanic paganism. Germany and England were Christianized far earlier than the Scandinavian countries and much of their own traditions were lost. In Britain, William Morris composed poetry such as Sigurd the Volsung on Norse legendary subjects as well as translating Icelandic sagas into English. In Germany, Richard Wagner borrowed characters and themes from Norse mythology to compose the four operas that make up Der Ring des Nibelungen. He also utilized medieval German sources and Germanized the names of the Norse gods. The rediscovery of Norse mythology became popularized by transforming its art-religion context to an alternative spiritual practice. The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien was said to have been heavily influenced by Norse mythology, which brought on many debates about structural and theoretical approaches to mythology.
Comic Book Adaptations
The Norse Pantheon and related elements have a prominent role in the Marvel Universe, especially Thor, who has been one of the longest-running superheroes for the company. Loki, Thor's adopted brother in this version, is one of the most prominent villains in the Marvel Universe, serving as one of the main antagonists in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Other characters from Norse mythology appear in the Marvel Universe, including Odin, Freyja, Brunnhilde Valkyrie, Heimdall, Hela, Balder, Sif, and Fenrir. Odin, Thor, Loki, and several other beings and places in Norse mythology have recurring roles in Neil Gaiman's Sandman graphic novel series, most notably in the Season of Mists and The Kindly Ones stories. Lucifer, being a Sandman spinoff, continues this trend, having Loki and Sigyn appear briefly. Bergelmir, Yggdrasil and Naglfar have prominent roles, and Fenrir is a major antagonist. The American graphic novel Gods of Asgard by Erik Evensen is an adaptation of several of the Norse myths. Gods of Asgard was awarded a Xeric grant in 2007. The comic miniseries Hammer of the Gods by Michael Avon Oeming and Mark Wheatley, from Insight Studios Group, 2001, uses the world of the Norse myths as a setting.
Who brought Norse mythology back to popular notice in 19th century Germany and England?
Antiquaries such as George Webbe Dasent brought the mythology of Scandinavia back to the popular notice of many people in Germany and England. In both cases, Norse mythology was recognized as the latest surviving form of Germanic paganism.
What operas did Richard Wagner compose using characters from Norse mythology?
Richard Wagner borrowed characters and themes from Norse mythology to compose the four operas that make up Der Ring des Nibelungen. He also utilized medieval German sources and Germanized the names of the Norse gods.
Which Marvel Universe characters are based on Norse mythology?
Other characters from Norse mythology appear in the Marvel Universe including Odin, Freyja, Brunnhilde Valkyrie, Heimdall, Hela, Balder, Sif, and Fenrir. Loki serves as one of the most prominent villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise alongside Thor.
When was the comic miniseries Hammer of the Gods published by Insight Studios Group?
The comic miniseries Hammer of the Gods by Michael Avon Oeming and Mark Wheatley from Insight Studios Group was released in 2001. It uses the world of the Norse myths as a setting for its narrative.
How does the video game Valkyrie Profile relate to Norse mythology?
The tri-Ace role-playing video game Valkyrie Profile is based on Norse mythology though it deviates at some points. The main character is a valkyrie named Lenneth who represents Brynhild and has been commanded by Odin to gather souls of dead warriors for the upcoming battles of Ragnarok.
The Norse Pantheon heroes are the main characters of the Japanese manga and anime Matantei Loki Ragnarok, loosely translated, The Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok. The manhwa series Ragnarok, by Myung-Jin Lee, is based on Norse mythology and the events of Ragnarok, the prophesied fall of the gods. Vinland Saga takes place in Iceland and 11th-century Europe, which makes many references to Norse mythology. In History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, the protagonists fight against a gang organization known as Ragnarok. Each of the Eight Fists were nicknamed after a figure in Norse mythology, including Berserker, Freya, Loki, Thor, Siegfried, Hermit, Valkyrie, and their leader Odin. Oh! My Goddess! has aspects of Norse mythology. Heaven's main computer is called Yggdrasil, the goddesses and demons' names are based on Norse gods and goddesses, and the Underworld's computer is called Nidhogg. Attack on Titan also has prominent themes of Norse mythology, including Ymir, Castle Utgard, the walls, the Titans, parallels between Norse gods/goddesses and characters, as well as plot lines that seem to mimic events in Norse mythology.
Literary Transformations
Stephanie Edgley of the Skulduggery Pleasant novel series took up the name Valkyrie Cain, based on the being or creature the Valkyrie. The Victorian adventure writer H. Rider Haggard wrote an epic adventure in the style of the Nordic sagas, Eric Brighteyes in 1890. Various Norse gods are referenced in the book The Ballad of the White Horse by G. K. Chesterton in 1911. Odin and Thor are portrayed in a negative light, while Catholicism is the true religion and the Norse religion pagan. In the novel The Incomplete Enchanter by L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt in 1941, the protagonist finds himself in Asgard, where he allies himself with the Aesir as Ragnarök approaches. The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson in 1954 is inspired by Norse sagas and features numerous Norse gods, elves and trolls as characters. Later, in The Sorrow of Odin the Goth, part of his Time Patrol series, Anderson suggested that Odin was originally a 20th-century American time traveler who visited several generations of early wandering Goths who started to regard him as a god.
Musical Interpretations
Norse mythology influenced Richard Wagner's use of literary themes from it to compose the four operas that make up Der Ring des Nibelungen. Mats Wendt based his neo-romantic 16-hour symphonic suite Eddan on the chronological reconstruction of the Norse myths by Viktor Rydberg. Burzum is a Norwegian Black metal band whose lyrics and imagery are often inspired by Norse mythology. Its founder, Varg Vikernes, has also written many books about Norse mythology and is an outspoken Pagan. Norse mythology is a recurring theme in Heavy metal music lyrics. Manowar has numerous releases referencing Norse mythology. Besides the 2007 concept album Gods of War, there are the songs Gates of Valhalla, Blood of My Enemies, Kill with Power, Thor, The Crown and the Ring, Swords in the Wind, Fight Until We Die, and Righteous Glory. Swedish Symphonic metal band Therion based many of its lyrics on Norse mythology, including the 2001 concept album Secret of the Runes. The Viking metal music genre focuses on Viking Age and Norse mythology as inspiration for lyrics. Examples include Bathory, Falkenbach, among others.
Television And Film Portrayals
The Norwegian-language Netflix drama Ragnarok features a boy who discovers he is Thor and battles a family of frost giants in human form in the modern-day town of Edda. Several of the Norse gods feature prominently in the Danish miniseries Jul i Valhal, with Loki being a major character, and many of the Norse myths are referenced. Miniseries Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King, also known as Niebelungen, is based on Nibelungenlied. The TV series Stargate SG-1 regularly features the Asgard race, a powerful yet friendly alien species broadly depicted as somewhat resembling grey aliens and being the original source of the Norse gods. Thor, a member of the Asgard High Council, is a recurring character on the show. Their spaceships, as seen from below, are shaped like Mjolnir, Thor's hammer. In the fifth season of the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, the episodes Norse by Norsevest and Somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge depict Hercules traveling to Asgard and being thrust into a major conflict among the Viking Norse Gods. Odin and the Valkyries make several appearances in the sixth season of the television series Xena: Warrior Princess.
Video Game Cosmologies
The plot of Ash of Gods Redemption is significantly based on Norse mythology, including names of the Runes and Gods used as the names of states and cities. In Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, the player is part of a two-man mercenary squadron called Galm Team, a reference to Garmr, a Norse hellhound. Tomb Raider Underworld uses the Norse mythology keystones, names and artifacts as its main plot basis. Protagonist Lara Croft, in the course of her search for her mother, visits the Neiflheim and other mythical places, wielding Thor's hammer Mjollnir. In StarCraft, four of the fifteen Zerg Broods are named Fenris, Garm, Jormungand, and Surtur, and there is also an overlord hero unit called Yggdrasil. In addition, there is a Terran unit called a Valkyrie. Similarly, in Starcraft 2, there are several Terran units that are named based on Norse references. The tri-Ace role-playing video game Valkyrie Profile is based on Norse mythology, though it does deviate at some points. The main character is a valkyrie named Lenneth, who represents Brynhild and has been commanded by Odin to gather souls of dead warriors for the upcoming battles of Ragnarok.