6. The initiation of Thor
Cast into exile
The greatest lesson learned
Back to Asgard
7.
8.
9. Which son does Odin choose to be king?
Loki’s enternal conflict of not being Odin’s son.
Thor’s love for a mortal.
10.
11. Gill, N.S. (2013) Thor - Norse Thunder God. Retrieved from
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/norsegodspictures/g/Thor.htm
Thinking Faith (2011) Thor. Retrieved from
http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/FILM_20110527_2.htm
Editor's Notes
While legends can be made, Thor was created by the gods. Mythology tells the tale of a Norse thunder god who wielded a mighty hammer and is the center of stories that describes feats of great strength, evil conquest and mortal admiration. Thor’s story, describes an inspiring chronicle of a hero’s quest to make right of all wrongs by those who wish to create havoc upon the world. In modern times Thor’s influence can be seen in movies, books and everyday life; whenever there is a task that needs to be fulfilled and there is an opposition, the story of Thor can be held as an inspiration to strength, determination and triumph.
Erica
Loki -Son of Giants Farbuti and Laufey. Trickster and Shape-shifter that can assume animal form. Crafty and malicious with honorable intentions at times. Displays heroic qualities as a familiar and intermittent companion to Thor. Accompanies Thor through many adventures as trickster and protector from other dangers encountered in his travels.Frost Giants – Descendants of Ymir the first giant of Norse mythology. Reside in a frozen neither region of Asgard called Jotunheim. Venerable to heat sources direct or indirect. Heat causes a shrinking in size. Classified as Titans and portray the role of usurpers and sworn enemies to Asgard and Thor. Vowed to return power to their kingdom from Asgard.
Separation or Call to Adventure phase of Thor’s journey is represented by legendary reputation as the great warrior. He also assumes the archetype of protector as he journeys to Earth to save that world and retrieve a sacred talisman to save Asgard from the Frost Giants. The initiation phase shows the transformation of Thor to a mentor to Loki on honorable intent in the fight against the Frost Giants.In his return from his journey, Thor is shown as a favored child archetype who mends the rift between father son, and sibling.
Odin is about to name his oldest son, Thor, as his heir in Asgard. However, the celebrations are interrupted by an intrusion of the Frost Giants. This angers Thor and he goes to the realm of the giants to get revenge. In this sequence, we see the initiation of Thor. It is clear he has great power and skill in battle. It is for these reasons that Odin wants Thor to someday take his place as king of Asgard. The initiation does not go as planned though because Odin is unhappy with Thor’s rash decision to fight the Frost Giants. He sees that Thor must prove himself worthy to gain the title. Thor is then cast into exile on earth because of his actions with the Frost Giants. Odin declares that only when he has proven himself worthy will Thor regain his godly powers. This begins the separation phase of our heroes journey. He is separated not only from the other Asgardians, but also from the powers that make him the god of thunder. He must learn the lessons his father tried to teach him and prove that he has what it takes to be a great ruler. The separation is the most difficult for Thor went he tries to reclaim his hammer but finds that even he cannot lift his mighty weapon. We finally see Thor’s transformation after he learns that he cannot wield Mjollnir anymore. At this point he has also learned to care for the mortals of earth. When Loki sends a fiend to earth it causes great destruction and puts the lives of many people in danger. This is when Thor truly learns his lesson. He knows that it is because of his previous actions that these people are in danger. If he had not gone against his father, he would still be in Asgard and able to stop Loki. The transformation occurs as Thor sacrifices his own life to save his new mortal friends on earth. Once Thor sacrificed himself, he has proven himself worthy in the eyes of Odin and receives his godly powers once again. In that moment, his hammer returns to him and he has the ability to defeat Loki’s monster. This begins the return phase of Thor’s quest. After saving his earth friends, Thor is the able to return to Asgard and stop Loki and his evil plot to make himself king.
The parallels between mythological stories such as Thor and contemporary stories it may have inspired can be seen in a host of modern day literature, movies and personal strategies. It would be interesting for people to know that the Norse god Thor was the inspiration behind the fifth day of the week “Thursday” originally called “Thor’s day” (Gill, 2013). Law enforcement today can find some common ground in the mythological character Thor; each has made a vow to protect and serve and there is a constant battle between good and evil or right and wrong. On September 11, 2001 the United States faced one of the greatest catastrophe and treat ever to be seen on its soil. Although a mythological hero such as Thor would have made a right to such a wrong, it would be modern day heroes who stepped up and saved the day; mortal men and women took the spirit of Thor and moved mountains to put things right again. Ever since movies have existed there have always been characters that on a hero’s quest and a character that tries to interfere with the hero’s mission. Thor’s story is also reflects modern day issues like sibling rivalry, jealousy and parental issues and circumstances that come with falling in love. Books, movies and old folk laws also show influence of mythological stories of such subjects as Thor. Characters such as superman, Spiderman and Hancock all possess with divine powers or abilities and on occasion battles personal demons; all very popular movies which obviously has influences of mythological origin. The plot of each movie is the same; there is a hero’s quest and source of power and a villain. Mythological influence touches every contemporary story and will continue to inspire the next generation.
Scott
King Odin wants to hand over the kingdom to Thor, but he knows Thor is a hot head and not ready to lead his people. Loki has a calmer head and speaks well but is the son of his sworn enemy. Which son does he appoint to king? Thor is exiled to earth, as a test by Odin, to become a better leader and king. Loki finds out that he is not the blood son of King Odin. His entire life, is spent trying to prove that he should be the king of Asgard, that he would be the better leader. In an attempt to show he is worthy, he travels to Jotunheim, to make a deal with King Laufey, his real father. He agreed to allow King Laufey, to kill King Odin. Loki’s real plans were to kill King Laufey to prove to his father that he is the better choice to be king. While exiled, Thor falls in love with a mortal, an astrophysicist Jane Foster. He has his responsibilities to his kingdom, but has a love for a woman of a different world. As king of Asgard, he also holds the responsibility to protect the people of the weaker planets from their enemies. Each conflict noted has relevance and holds true in life today. A father must choose between his offspring to lead a people/organization. Which one does he choose? Both sons have good and bad points, both have the potential to lead. Loki is an adopted son who spends his entire life proving his existence. Once given a chance, he goes through great lengths to prove he can be a great king. Finally, Thor must choose between love or the greater good. He realizes his shortcomings as a leader during his exile and realizes what he must do to protect his people and the people of the planets he is to protect.
