Thor

Thor: The Norse God of Thunder, Lightning and Strength

Who is Thor?

Thor is one of the most prominent and popular gods in Norse mythology. He is the son of Odin, the chief of the gods, and Jord, the goddess of the earth. He is the husband of Sif, the goddess of fertility, and the father of several children, including Modi, Magni, Thrud and Ullr. He is also the protector of mankind, who often intervenes to defend them from the threats of the giants and other enemies.

What are Thor’s attributes?

Thor is best known for his mighty hammer, Mjolnir, which he uses to control the weather, especially thunder, lightning and storms. He also has a belt of strength, Megingjord, which doubles his power, and a pair of iron gloves, Jarngreipr, which help him wield his hammer. He rides a chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, who can be killed and eaten and then resurrected the next day. He also has a loyal servant, Thjalfi, and a wise companion, Roskva.

What are Thor’s adventures?

Thor has many adventures in Norse mythology, often involving his encounters with the giants, who are his main foes. Some of his most famous exploits include:

• His fishing trip with the giant Hymir, where he almost catches the world-serpent Jormungand.
• His journey to Utgard, where he is tricked by the giant king Utgard-Loki into competing in impossible tasks.
• His duel with the giant Hrungnir, where he smashes his head with his hammer, but also gets a piece of whetstone stuck in his forehead.
• His visit to the giantess Skadi, where he makes her laugh by tying his beard to a goat’s beard and pulling it.
• His role in Ragnarok, the final battle of the gods, where he kills and is killed by Jormungand.

Why is Thor important?

Thor is important because he represents the ideals of strength, courage, loyalty and justice in Norse culture. He is the most beloved and revered of the gods by the common people, who invoke his name for protection, blessing and success. He is also a symbol of the natural forces that shape the world, such as thunder, lightning and storms. He is a complex and dynamic character, who can be both fierce and gentle, humorous and serious, generous and vengeful.

How is Thor different from the Marvel character?

Thor has become a popular figure in pop culture, especially due to the Marvel Comics and movies that feature him as a superhero. However, the Marvel version of Thor is not entirely faithful to the original Norse mythology. Some of the differences include:

• The Marvel Thor is blond, while the Norse Thor is red-haired and bearded.
• The Marvel Thor can fly with his hammer, while the Norse Thor needs his chariot and goats to travel.
• The Marvel Thor is a founding member of the Avengers, while the Norse Thor has no such affiliation.
• The Marvel Thor has a romantic relationship with Jane Foster, a human scientist, while the Norse Thor is married to Sif, a goddess.
• The Marvel Thor has a complicated relationship with his adoptive brother Loki, who is a trickster and a villain, while the Norse Thor has a simple rivalry with Loki, who is a fellow god and sometimes an ally.