How to Understand Norse Mythology

Many people see mythology as something primitive. They imagine drunken gods, silly metamorphoses and simplistic stories. Mythologies reflect the way a people saw and interpreted the world. Therefore, to understand historic Scandinavians, it’s crucial to understand Norse mythology.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Read the myths. Norse mythology is very different than other, better known, mythologies. Like them, however, the first step to understanding is exposure, either primary through second-hand sources.
2. Enjoy it. One of the first things you’ll notice about Norse mythology is that it’s fun-stories about gods, heroes, and their adventures. You can read more into them, and perhaps you should, but on the most basic level Norse myths are simply amazing stories.
3. Learn the characters. One way to begin to understand Norse mythology is to treat it like a modern novel. In this sense, the gods and heroes are characters. Pick a favorite. Do you like Thor, who was strong but also stupid? Odin, the leader of the gods, who was cunning and ruthless? Or perhaps you’ll choose Loki, the trickster, who was at times both good and evil.
4. Understand that Norse mythology was never a unified religion like the modern Western religions. People in Denmark and Norway may have worshiped similar gods with similar attributes, but they probably worshiped them in very different ways. This could explain some of the seeming inconsistencies in Norse mythology. For example, it could explain why a figure like Loki is good in some tales and bad in others.
5. Appreciate the uniqueness of the Norse myths. Joseph Campbell, among others, argued that most mythologies are similar. That being said, Norse myths are often shockingly unique. For example, Norse mythology claims that the world will end with a catastrophic battle between good and evil, Ragnarok. During this battle most of the gods will die along with most of the world and universe. The gods know that they will be killed, but still choose to fight.
6. Look for the deeper truths within the myths. For instance, what is the significance behind the Norse gods' going to battle with the sure knowledge of their death? Once you start answering your questions, a picture of a people begins to appear.

Tips & Warnings

• Begin with general books about mythology. Edith Hamilton’s Mythology is a classic book on the subject, but then go to the original sources. You could start with Snorri Sturluson’s prose Edda, which is one of the primary sources of Norse mythology. Or, you could read the Icelandic Sagas, which often incorporate elements of Norse myths.