The Norsemen of early medieval Scandanavia (more commonly called Vikings) developed a mythology of super-human deities called the Aesir, similar in many ways to the Greek pantheon of Gods. This unique group of people relied largely on raiding the coasts of Europe for sustenance and advancement, and this has affected their representation ever since. Contemporary accounts paint them as ruthless barbarians, while adherents to the 17th century Viking revival have romanticized them to the point of absurdity. The truth is difficult to apprehend, but there is some knowledge to be gained from their rich and diverse mythology. The Vikings had a strong oral tradition, and love of verse and song, and it is from this that we learn of their deities, the Aesir, and Ragnarok.
The Twilight of the Gods
Ragnarok (Meaning 'Twilight of the Gods' in Old Norse) is not unique in that Norse mythology contains a detailed description of an eschatological event. Many (perhaps most) mythological world views contain some description of the end times, some even more detailed than the descriptions contained in the Prose Edda, the Völuspá, and other Norse texts detailing the event. What is truly unique about this particular conception of the end of the world is that many of the primary figures in Norse mythology will die, and they are aware of this. This is what makes the lives of the Norse gods so tragic - each of them lives with the knowledge of their own death and the eventual burning of the world.
The Events of Ragnarok
Ragnarok mirrored in many ways the harsh reality of Viking life. Many of the elements contributing to the end of the world tie directly in to Norse experience. The event that heralds the end of the world is called Fimbulvetr [Extreme Winter], and is a winter that is so cold that even "the sun is of no use". This event also brings "the end of kinship" and brothers fighting against brothers. One of the primary antagonists, a jotunn (or giant) named Surt, will end the world by throwing fire over it. Many scholars suggest that this event is inspired by the eruptions of volcanoes in Iceland. In addition to the end of the world, many of the Aesir will lose their lives to great monstrous enemies: Odin to the wolf Fenris, Thor to the Midgard Serpent (Jörmungandr) and Tyr will fall in battle with the hound, Garm.
A Grim Tale
Again, this tale is not unique in its depictions of violence, or in the detail of the saga, but in the way that this eschatology reflects the sensibilities of a people. Life in the north was cold, violent and fraught with difficulty. The tale of Ragnarok displays a grim stoicism shared by the people that developed it. It is prudent to be careful not to over romanticize (or over emphasize this connection) the reality of Viking life, but undoubtedly this take (and indeed, the whole of Norse mythology) is a fantastic window into the hearts and minds of that ancient people.
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Robert Guthrie - Robert is an itinerant writer, reader and academic with a broad range of interests. In addition to writing for Suite 101, he writes for ...
