Norse mythology in popular culture

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The mythology of the Scandinavian peoples, preserved in such ancient Icelandic texts as the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, and other lays and sagas, was little known outside Scandinavia (or even outside Iceland) until the 19th century. With the widespread publication of Norse myths and legends at this time, references to the Norse gods and heroes spread into European literary culture, especially in Scandinavia, Germany, and England. In the later 20th century, references to Norse mythology became common in science fiction and fantasy literature, role-playing games, and eventually other cultural products such as Japanese animation.

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[edit] Reintroduction to 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 England, 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 (The Ring of the Nibelung), though he also utilized medieval German sources and Germanized the names of the Norse gods.

[edit] Germanic neopaganism

Main article: Germanic neopaganism

More recent have been attempts in both Europe and the United States to revive the old Germanic religion as Germanic Neopaganism, variously under the names of Ásatrú, Odinism, Wotanism, Forn Sed or Heathenry. In Iceland, Ásatrú was recognized by the state as an official religion in 1973, which legalized its marriage, child-naming and other ceremonies. It is also an official and legal religion in all the Nordic countries, though it is still fairly new.[citation needed]

[edit] Depictions in modern popular culture

Although often barely recognizable to their source of inspiration, many references to Norse mythology appear in modern popular culture.

[edit] Comics

  • In the Marvel Universe, the Norse Pantheon and related elements play a prominent part, especially Thor who has been one of the longest running superheroes for the company.
  • The Norse Pantheon heroes are the main characters of the Japanese anime Matantei Loki Ragnarok.
  • Odin, Thor and 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 story-lines.
  • Sparkling Generation Valkyrie Yuuki is a webcomic featuring Yuuki, a boy turned into a Valkyrie by Hermod to stand against Surt and the Giants. It features many representations of Norse mythological figures in a modern-day setting.
  • The three Norns, Urd, Skuld, and Verthandi (whose name is transliterated into "Belldandy") are three of the main characters in the popular manga series Aa! Megami-sama (aka "Oh My Goddess!"), which also features Yggdrasil as a computer program that runs the universe.
  • The Danish comic book series Valhalla is based on the Norse myths.

[edit] Games

  • In StarCraft, four of the six Zerg Broods are named Fenris, Garm, Jormungand, and Surtur
  • The role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons has included Norse gods as optional elements since the publication of its Deities and Demigods sourcebook.
  • The tri-Ace role-playing game Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is based on Norse mythology, though it does deviate at some points. The main character is a valkyrie named Lenneth, whom many have thought represents Brynhild. Lenneth has been commanded by Odin to gather souls of dead warriors for the upcoming battles of Ragnarok. Depending on the path the player chooses, Lenneth will face either Surt, lord of the fire giants, or Loki in combat.
  • Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne both have several references to Norse mythology, including characters named Balder and Woden, Aesir Corporation, the drug Valkyr, and the Ragnarock nightclub.
  • The Konami vampire series Boktai takes many things from Norse mythology, such as names and weapons. For example, the Queen of the Vampires is named Hel
  • In the Final Fantasy series, various characters and items are named after elements of Norse mythology. Final Fantasy VII's world features cities named Nibelheim and Midgar. Several of the games include weapons (Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy Tactics) or airships (Final Fantasy VIII) named Ragnarok.
  • The Ragnarok Online universe contains many references to Norse Mythology.
  • The Norse are a playable faction in Ensemble Studio's Age of Mythology.
  • In the game Halo, the protagonists' armors is nicknamed the Mjolnir-Series.
  • Too Human has a story based on Norse mythology where it is interpreted that the gods powers came from super advanced nano technology.
  • Viking: Battle for Asgard is set in Midgard where the forces of Hel and Freya battle for dominance.
  • In Eve Online, many advanced ships and items associated with the Minmatar race have names based on Norse mythology. These include the Ragnarok-class Titan, the Sleipnir-class Command Ship, the Einherji fighter drone, the Fenrir-class Freighter, and the Nidhoggur-class Carrier.

[edit] Literature

[edit] Music

[edit] Television

  • Several of the Norse gods feature prominently in the Danish miniseries, "Jul i Valhal," and many of the Norse myths are referenced as well. Loki, in particular, is a major character.
  • The TV series Stargate SG-1 regularly features the Asgard race, which is a powerful, yet friendly alien species who, according to the series, are the original source of the Norse gods having portrayed them to help humanity. Thor, a member of the Asgard High Council, is a regularly returning character on the show.
  • In the 5th Season of tv series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, the episodes "Norse by Norsevest" and "Somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge" depict Hercules traveling to Asgard and being thrust in to a major conflict among the Viking Norse Gods.
  • Odin and the Valkyries appear several times in the television series Xena: Warrior Princess.
  • In Metalocalypse, Skwisgaar Skwigelf and Toki Wartooth both seem to show some belief in Norse Mythology.

[edit] Film

  • A ship in the film The Matrix Reloaded is called the Mjolnir.
  • The film Son of the Mask features a mischievous Loki as the antagonist, who is repeatedly scolded by an omnipotent Odin.
  • Upcoming 2010 film Thor is based on the marvel comics version of Thor, and will focus on him and the other Norse gods.

[edit] See also

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