Marvel Mythology vs Norse Mythology

Fig. 1. Marvel poster (“What you need to know about the Marvel Universe”)

Introduction

In 1962, as Stan Lee continued dreaming up the ideas that would eventually comprise the core of Marvel’s pantheon, he began to look beyond the science-fiction background that produced the space explorers of the Fantastic Four, the Jekyll & Hyde monster known as the Hulk, and the incredible shrinking Dr. Henry Pym. Instead, he turned to the more ethereal realm of mythology, but rather than relying on the well-worn gods of the Greek pantheon, he looked to the land of the ice and snow…Scandinavia, from whence Norse mythology sprang (iFanboy); And who else was fit to join Marvel’s fledgling pantheon of heroes but the most famous Norse god of them all; Thor, God of Thunder! Joined by artist Jack Kirby, and Stan’s brother Larry Lieber who scripted the early issues, Marvel Comics’ Thor was born (as well as other supporting cast of Norse deities such as Odin and Loki) (ifanboy) .The main idea of this project is to exhibit the major differences and similarities between Norse Mythology discussed in class versus the Mythology in which Marvel Studios uses. Throughout this website we will focus primarily on the World Tree (Yggdrasil) and the three most known or influential gods Odin, Thor, and Loki. We will look at how the tree of life is discussed in Norse mythology and how it is displayed in the Marvel Universe. As for the gods Odin, Thor, and Loki, we will take a more in depth look at their physical features, their attributes and skills, and their background history in the Norse mythology in comparison to the Marvel universe (Both in film and comic form).

World Tree (Yggdrasil)

Fig. 3. Yggdrasil (“Eternal and Sacred Tree Of life In Norse Mythology”)

In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil, aka the World Tree, is a great tree at the center of the universe, containing all nine worlds described in Norse cosmology. In Norse mythology it is called Yggdrasil and it is an eternal and sacred Ash tree with branches that stretch out to harbor nine worlds. It is has three roots and each one reaches to a different mysterious world. The first root is connected with Asgard, the ancient kingdom of the powerful Norse gods (Ancient Pages, Yggdrasil). The tree plays a subtle role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but potentially a very important one. The first time we saw it was in Captain America: The First Avenger when Johann Schmidt (aka Red Skull) finds the Tesseract hidden in a wall bearing a carving of the tree. Later Thor sketches a picture of it for Jane Foster, and it’s also on Heimdall’s armor. In Thor 2, Jane Foster finds the actual tree in Asgard’s Hall of Science (Zimbio, pp.11). In Old Norse, Yggdrasil is called Mimameidr. This giant tree supports the Universe. How Yggdrasil came to existence is not entirely clear, but according to most Norse mythology researchers, the sacred Tree of Life grew out of a well called Urd (Ancient Pages, Yggdrasil). The name itself comes from Yggr, meaning “ The Terrible One”, a name frequently given to Norse god Odin due to his will to cause trouble as he is known for the god of war. For the well, the name “Urd” meant “destiny.” Both names can be linked to the Norsemen’s’ concepts of time (Ancient Pages, Yggdrasil). Yggdrasil, in turn, corresponds to the present tense, which is being actualized here and now.

Thor (God of Thunder)

Fig. 1. Marvel Thor (“Marvel Mythology vs Norse Mythology”)

Though Stan Lee used Norse mythology as his base for the characters, Norse Thor and Marvel Thor are very different. Through most of his history in the comic books, Marvel Thor is blonde, clean shaven, and speaks as if Shakespeare wrote his lines. Norse Thor is always depicted as having long, red hair, and an even longer red beard. Both versions of Thor use Mjolnir as their main weapon, but only the comic book version can use it to directly fly (iFanboy). Norse Thor can’t fly except with the use of his chariot drawn by his two personal goats, Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder (Screenrant). Norse Thor from time to time would eat his goats and then resurrect them (Screenrant). Marvel Thor has the ability to spin Mjolnir at a fast enough pace to launch him from the ground. In Norse mythology Sif is Thor’s wife, while in the comics she is a member of an elite team of Asgardians (iFanboy). In the Marvel Cinematic universe Jane Foster as well as a Valkyrie (know as Valkyrie) are his main love interests. Norse Thor requires special tools in order to wield Mjolnor;He uses Járngreipr, a special set of gloves in order just to wield it, and the belt Megingjörð to increase his overall strength (Ifanboy).

Odin (God of War)

Fig. 3. Marvel Odin (“Marvel Mythology vs. Norse Mythology”)

In Norse Mythology Odin is also called “all-father”; the oldest of the gods and creator of life. Marvel’s Odin usually portrays him as a benevolent god, who is loved and cherished my all. Norse Odin was wild, cruel, strange, and loved picking any fight he could start. Norse Odin is the God of War after all, and all the traits that is usually associated with that position. The norse odin also depicts him as an enigmatic figure and a user of sorcery which was viewed with suspicion in Scandinavian cuture (iFanboy). Both versions of Odin are seen with the carrying Gungnir as their primary weapon. Gungnir was an enchanted spear, that was crafted by the Dwarves (iFanboy). It is said that it was perfectly balanced, and whoever possessed it could throw it and never miss their target. both the Norse and Marvel Odin went down to Yggdrasil, and traded their left eyes for infinite wisdom (iFanboy). It is also said that the Norse Odin was able to command magic after the exchange (Screenrant).

Loki (God of Mischief)

Fig. 5. Marvel Loki (“Marvel Mythology vs Norse Mythology”)

The God of Mischief, is portrayed as sociopathic villain in Marvel’s MCU. In the Norse mythology, he just causes a bit of mischief, and what he does cause, he usually helps to fix it. Norse Loki fathers many different creatures over time from the world snake to Hela, The goddess of death. In the comics, any humanoid child is usually converted to be a child of Odin (Screenrant). The main example for this in the MCU is how Hela is portrayed to be the older sister of both Thor and Loki (Screenrant). Though Norse Loki and Marvel Loki consider Thor to be their adopted brother, the Norse Odin never adopts Loki to be his son. During the events of the Norse Ragnarok, Loki fights against the Asgardians, whereas in the MCU’s version, Loki goes through a redemption process and stands by his brother’s side (iFanboy).

Video Comparison

References

http://www.zimbio.com/A+Closer+Look+at+Marvel’s+Many+Easter+Eggs/articles/yMT9pq1oQNc/Yggdrasil+The+World+Tree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD3VYmWs54s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG6PnYgNmTs

https://screenrant.com/marvel-thor-vs-norse-mythology/

https://ifanboy.com/articles/marvel-mythology-vs-norse-mythology/

http://www.ancientpages.com/2016/09/22/yggdrasil-eternal-and-sacred-tree-of-life-in-norse-mythology/

“Marvel Poster.” What you need to know about the Marvel Universe. 5 May. 2019. Web. 5 December 2019. https://www.theverge.com/tech/2015/5/5/8552107/marvel-universe-explainer-avengers-ultron-whats-tech.

“Odin, Thor, and Loki.” Loki: The wise The Father of the great, and Unfulfilled ambitions. Ms Elly, 26 October. 2018. Web. 5 December 2019 https://bavipower.com/blogs/bavipower-viking-blog/loki-the-wise-the-father-of-the-great-and-unfulfilled-ambitions.

“Yggdrasil.” Yggdrasil: Eternal and Sacred Tree Of Life In Norse Mythology. 22 September. 2016. Web. 5 December 2019 http://www.ancientpages.com/2016/09/22/yggdrasil-eternal-and-sacred-tree-of-life-in-norse-mythology/.

“Yggdrasil.” Zimbio: A Closer Look at Marvel’s Many Easter Eggs. Web. 5 December 2019. http://www.zimbio.com/A Closer Look at Marvel’s Many EasterEggs/articles/yMT9pq1oQNc/Yggdrasil The World Tree.

“Marvel Thor.” IFanboy: Marvel Mythology vs Norse Mythology. 29 April. 2011. Web. 5 December 2019. https://ifanboy.com/articles/marvel-mythology-vs-norse-mythology/.

“Norse Thor.” IFanboy: Marvel Mythology vs Norse Mythology. 29 April. 2011. Web. 5 December 2019. https://ifanboy.com/articles/marvel-mythology-vs-norse-mythology/.

“Marvel Odin.” IFanboy: Marvel Mythology vs Norse Mythology. 29 April. 2011. Web. 5 December 2019. https://ifanboy.com/articles/marvel-mythology-vs-norse-mythology/.

“Norse Odin.” IFanboy: Marvel Mythology vs Norse Mythology,. 29 April. 2011. Web. 5 December 2019. https://ifanboy.com/articles/marvel-mythology-vs-norse-mythology/.

“Marvel Loki.” IFanboy: Marvel Mythology vs Norse Mythology. 29 April. 2011. Web. 5 December 2019. https://ifanboy.com/articles/marvel-mythology-vs-norse-mythology/.

“Norse Loki.” IFanboy: Marvel Mythology vs Norse Mythology. 29 April. 2011. Web. 5 December 2019. https://ifanboy.com/articles/marvel-mythology-vs-norse-mythology/.