Thor & Utgarda-Loki - A Norse Tale from the Edda
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Much of what we know about Norse mythology comes from the Icelandic poet and historian Snorri Sturluson, who preserved ancient stories in the Prose Edda during the 13th century. These tales are not only myths about gods and giants, but also glimpses into how the Vikings viewed the world and their own lives. Briefly retold below is the Edda-story about when Thor and Loki’s traveled to the Giants realm Jotunheim, a journey full of trials and deceitful sorcery.
“Their journey first went through the world of men where they ate and stayed overnight with a family on a farm. As a consequence of Thor tricking the farmer’s son Tjalfi into breaking one of his rules, Tjalfi was forced to atone for his offense by becoming Thor’s servant. His sister Röskva also joined. On the way to Jotunheim they met the giant Skrymir, who offered to carry their provisions in his sack. After a long day’s walk, Skrymir quickly fell asleep without having untied the food sack he was carrying, which was impossible to open even for Thor. He became furious and during the night he struck Skrymir three times on the head with Mjölnir, but the giant only woke up to ask if a leaf or an acorn had fallen on him. The third time he thought that a bird had dropped dung, and then he continued his journey on his own.
At last the travelers reached the mighty fortress Utgard in Jotunheim. There sat the ruler Utgarda-Loki and challenged his guests in various trials. Loki competed in eating but lost to the giant Logi, who devoured both the food and half the trough. What Loki did not know was that Logi was fire itself. Tjalfi thought he was the fastest of all, but lost to Utgarda-Loki’s servant Huge who in reality was a thought.
Thor himself was subjected to three humiliating trials. He drank from a horn that never seemed to end – in reality it was the sea, and as a result the tide was created. He tried to lift a cat, but managed only one paw – the cat was the Midgard Serpent in disguise. Finally he wrestled an old woman and fell to his knees – the woman was old age, which no one can defeat. Thor and his company were furious after being humiliated, and although they were offered a feast, none of them could enjoy the festivities.
The next morning Utgarda-Loki accompanied Thor and his companions out of the fortress and revealed the truth: everything had been illusions, created to humiliate Thor and his companions. The deceit had begun on their path to Jotunheim, when Utgåda-Loki had pretended to be the giant Skrymer. Furious, Thor raised his hammer to strike Utgarda-Loki, but both the giant and the fortress disappeared without a trace. The company left the giants’ realm and returned to Asgard.”
Is the Midgard Serpent living among us?
In the story there are many wise reflections and lessons to be learned, for example Thor’s inability to defeat the old woman. No matter how strong someone is, they cannot overcome old age. That cats were an everyday presence during this time is also confirmed by the saga when a cat enters the giants’ great hall. This cat turned out to be an illusion of the Midgard Serpent, but a cat being present in the saga shows that cats were common animals among the Vikings – or in this case, among the giants.😉 And one can wonder why the Midgard Serpent disguise himself as a cat? After all, he also represent the chaos that threaten the order of the world (or of our houses?).😼