NORSE

Norse
Mythology

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Background Information
A short summary of the information
on pages 9 through 95
of d’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths

According to d’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths, at first only Niflheim (the realm of frozen fog) and
Muspelheim (the realm of flames) existed with Ginungagap (a gaping pit) in between. Fog and flame
whirled around, and from Ginungagap arose Ymir (the first jotun) and a cow. As Ymir slept, a male and
female jotun appeared from his armpit. Then a six-headed Troll grew from his feet. These creatures
produced offspring.

The Ice Cow licked the ice until a new creature arose. He was the grandfather of the first Aesir gods: Odin,
Hoenir, and Lodur. They slew Ymir, and his briny blood caused a flood. All the jotuns drowned except for
two who went to Jotunheim.

Midgard was created from Ymir’s body. The moon and sun traveled across the sky in carts pulled by horses
who were pursued by wolves.

Other gods in the universe were the Vanir gods who took care of weather. They lived in Vanaheim.

The Aesir gods created elves who lived in Alfheim; from worms, they created gnomes who lived
underground. Finally, to inhabit Midgard, they created a man and a woman from an ash tree and an alder
tree. Each successive generation of people had better qualities than the last. Odin came to earth to
instruct these people about the best way to live their lives.

Presiding over all of the Norse worlds were the Fays of Destiny (Norns) who decided the fate of both
mankind and the gods.

The Norns lived at the foot of Yggdrasil, the world tree whose demise signaled the end of the Aesir gods.
The Norns cared for Yggdrasil by healing its wounds with water from a sacred pool. An eagle lived at the
top of Yggdrasil, and Nidhogg, the dragon, lived at the roots. Ratatosk, the squirrel, ran between them.

The Aesir gods lived in Asgard where Odin became the supreme ruler after he had hung for nine days from
the branches of Yggdrasil. Odin sat at the top of a silver tower on the Lidskjalf, his throne, with his dearest
wife, Frigg. Odin became the wisest of the wise after he gave his left eye to the jotun, Mimir, in exchange
for a drink from his well of wisdom.

Odin’s son, Thor, wielded Mjolnir (his hammer) and rode in a cart pulled by
billy goats. He was invaluable to the other Aesir gods because he arrived
immediately when summoned. Thor was married to Sif whose hair was
shorn and replaced by the unpredictable trickster Loki, a jotun who
became Odin’s blood brother. Loki was married to Sigunn, an Aesir
goddess, and also to Angerboda, an ogress.

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Background Information (continued)

At the same time that Loki convinced the gnomes to make new hair for Sif, he flattered them into forging
weapons and treasures for the Aesir. They created Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer; Skidbladnir, a collapsible ship;
Draupnir, an arm ring; Gungnir, a spear that always hit its mark; and a golden flying boar. During his
dealings with the gnomes, Loki lost a bet and nearly lost his head, but the gnome, Brokk, punished him by
sewing his mouth shut instead.

Loki and Angerboda had three children: Midgard’s Serpent, Hel (ruler of the dead), and Fenris the wolf.
Tyr, one of Odin’s son, lost his hand during the chaining of Fenris.

Balder, another of Odin’s sons, was the god of light. He was married to Nanna, and their son was Forsete,
the chief judge of the Aesir.

Heimdall, yet another of Odin’s sons, guarded the entrance to Asgard. Only Gullveig, a witch from
Vanaheim, was able to trick Heimdall into letting her enter. When the Aesir discovered that she wanted
their gold, they tried to burn her at the stake, but she survived. The Vanir wanted revenge, however, and
fought with the Aesir on the field of Ida. Since neither side was victorious, they exchanged hostages. The
Aesir sent Hoenir and Mimir to Vanaheim; the Vanir sent Njord, Frey, and Freya to Asgard. Njord was a
wind god, Frey brought fruitful harvests, and Freya was the goddess of love.

Kvasir, the spirit of knowledge, was created in a vat of chewed berries. From these berries, the gnomes
made a special mead which fell into the hands of Suttung, a jotun. Odin tricked Suttung’s daughter,
Gunnlod, into letting him drink the mead, and he took it back to Asgard. Anyone who drank the mead
became a poet, and Bragi, an adopted son of Odin, became the god of bards. Bragi’s wife was Idunn, the
goddess who guarded the apples of youth.

The Aesir decided that they should build a stone wall around Asgard since the Vanir had attacked them.
Loki masterminded a tricky plan in which a jotun mason was required to build the wall by himself in a short
period of time. He thought that these stipulations would eliminate having to give the mason the payment
that he demanded: Freya, the sun, and the moon. The mason nearly did the impossible task, but Loki
transformed himself into a mare and lured the mason’s stallion away so he could not finish the job. The
offspring of the mare and stallion was Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged steed.

During battles, Odin threw his spear over the side destined to lose.
He was accompanied by the Valkyries, warrior maidens who
selected men to die in battle and brought them to Valhalla, Odin’s
guesthouse in Asgard. These heroes led a life of feasting and
fighting, and after their daily battles, the injured would put
themselves back together so they would be ready to fight again on
the next day. Freya served as hostess for the dead heroes, both in
her own hall and in Valhalla.

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Background Information (continued)

Frigg, Odin’s favorite wife, spent her time spinning yarn and keping a watchful eye on domestic issues in
Midgard. Her attendants and companions were Fulla, Gna, Lin, Eir, and Var. Once, during a war, Frigg
answered women’s prayers by giving them advice about gaining a victory. Since she knew Odin’s plan, she
was able to guide them successfully. The goddesses Saga and Gefjon were frequently mistaken for Frigg.
Gefjon created and won for herself the island of Sjaelland by harnessing her sons in the form of bulls and
plowing so deep that a piece of land separated from the mainland.

The gnomes made Freya a lovely necklace, and Loki wanted it. In the form of a fly, Loki visited Freya and
removed the necklace as she slept. He then transformed himself into a seal, and as he was escaping,
Heimdall became suspicious, turned himself into a seal, too, and pursued Loki. The two seals fought, and
since Heimdall was the stronger, he won the fight and returned the necklace to Freya.

Tjasse, a storm jotun in the form of an eagle, stole meat from the Aesir. Loki tried to get the meat back,
but when he hit the eagle, he stuck to him. Tjasse said the only way for Loki to get free was to promise
that he would bring Idunn and her apples to him. Loki tricked Idunn into entering the woods with her
apples, and Tjasse flew away with her. The Aesir began to age, and they discovered that Loki was
responsible for Idunn’s disappearance. In the form of a falcon, Loki went to retrieve her, and he put Idunn
and her apples into a nutshell and headed to Asgard. Tjasse flew after him, but the Aesir built a fire that
leapt high into the air, and Tjasse was incinerated. Idunn was safe, and the Aesir all took bites of the
apples to restore their youth.

Tjasse’s daughter, Skade, wanted recompense for his death. Instead of giving her gold, the Aesir told
Shade that they would make her a goddess, but there were two conditions to this arrangement. First,
Skade said that the Aesir must make her laugh, and second, the Aesir said that Skade must choose her
husband by looking only at his legs. Loki succeeded in making Skade laugh, and although Skade wanted
Balder for her husband, unfortunately she chose Njord. Skade lived in the mountains and became the
goddess of skiers, but Njord preferred living near the seashore so they seldom saw one another.

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QUOTATIONS CROSSWORD
Complete this crossword puzzle using the clues on the next page.
Although these words never actually came out of their mouths, each quotation can be attributed
to one of the characters in the stories you have read in this section.

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QUOTATIONS CROSSWORD (continued)

CLUES

Across

2. "No one will notice if I suck the marrow from this bone."
3. "I ran faster than Tjalfi."
4. "I'd love to wrestle with Thor."
6. "Freya's eyes are red because she hasn't slept for eight nights."
7. "I'll release you from the chest if you'll bring me Thor without his weapons."
10. "You may borrow my mitt, belt, and staff."
12. "You and your companions did better in the contests than you thought."
15. "Of course I'll loan you my falcon wings."
16. "I hid the hammer eight miles underground."

Down

1. "I'm not really a gray cat."

2. "I am so ashamed that Utgardsloki fooled me."
3. "You must play the part of the blushing bride, Thor."
5. "I ate faster than Loki."
8. "I will cast a spell on you if you don't give your love to Frey."
9. "If I can't marry Gerd, I'll simply die."
11. "First I thought a leaf fell on my head, then an acorn, then a branch."
13. "Undo your spell! I will meet Frey at Barre."
14. "I'm the only god who should sit on Lidskjalf."

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TEACHER’S KEY
QUOTATIONS CROSSWORD

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SIMILAR BUT NOT THE SAME

Many names in this section are very similar.
Differentiate between these names by writing descriptions in the blanks.

Frey ________________________________________________________________________

Freya ________________________________________________________________________

Gerd ________________________________________________________________________

Grid ________________________________________________________________________

Skirnir ________________________________________________________________________

Skrymir ________________________________________________________________________

Logi ________________________________________________________________________

Loki ________________________________________________________________________

Thor ________________________________________________________________________

Thrym ________________________________________________________________________

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TEACHER’S KEY
SIMILAR BUT NOT THE SAME

Frey son of Njord

god of growing and harvesting
husband of Gerd

Freya daughter of Njord

goddess of beauty
hostess in Valhalla
mother of Noss

Gerd daughter of Gymir

wife of Frey

Grid mother of Vidar

protector of Thor

Skirnir Frey’s faithful servant

Skrymir Utgardsloki in the form of a giant

Logi Wild-fire
contestant in an eating contest in Utgard

Loki Odin’s jotun half-brother

husband of Angerboda and Sigunn
father of Hel, Fenris and Midgard’s Serpent
mother of Sleipnir

Thor thunder god

strongest of the Aesir
son of Odin
husband of Sif

Thrym the jotun who stole Thor’s hammer

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THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM

In Norse myths, the characters cannot always be sure that what they see is true. Sometimes they are
fooled into thinking that they are failures when they have truly gained success; sometimes the creatures
they encounter are representations of something else. In each of the following scenarios, provide the
reality for the “tricks” that the senses perceived.

1. The strange cabin in which Loki and Tjalfi took shelter during their night in Jotunheim was really

_____________________________________________________________________________.

2. The side room in the cabin was actually

_____________________________________________________________________________.

3. Skrymir the giant was really

_____________________________________________________________________________.

4. Skrymir’s generosity in offering food to Loki and Tjalfi from a food bag tied with a troll knot was really

_____________________________________________________________________________.

5. Although Thor thought that he was pounding on Skrymir’s head, he was really

_____________________________________________________________________________.

6. When Loki and Logi competed in an eating contest, Loki did not realize that Logi was really

_____________________________________________________________________________.

7. When Tjalfi and Hugi raced, Tjalfi did not realize that Hugi was really

_____________________________________________________________________________.

8. When Thor bragged that he could empty Utgardsloki’s drinking horn, he did not realize that

_____________________________________________________________________________.

9. The gray cat that Thor tried to lift from the floor was, in reality,

_____________________________________________________________________________.

10. When Thor tried to wrestle Granny Elle, he was actually wrestling with

_____________________________________________________________________________.

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TEACHER’S KEY
THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM

1. a mitten that belonged to a giant.

2. the thumb of the mitten.

3. Utgardsloki in disguise.

4. a way to make fun of Thor’s famous strength.

5. striking a mountain.

6. Wildfire in person.

7. the personification of a thought.

8. he was trying to drink the ocean.

9. Midgard’s serpent.

10. Old Age.

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CHARACTERS AND LOCATIONS

CHARACTERS
Match each character with the correct description. You may use the letters more than once.

_____ 1. Frey’s father A. Freya

_____ 2. Gymir’s daughter B. Geirrod
_____ 3. Frey’s servant C. Gerd
_____ 4. owner of the falcon wings D. Grid
_____ 5. owner of the hammer E. Heimdall
_____ 6. thief of the hammer F. Loki
_____ 7. god who goes in search of the hammer G. Njord
_____ 8. goddess who is supposed to be exchanged for the hammer H. Skirmir
_____ 9. god who suggests that Thor should dress as a bride I. Thor
_____ 10. god who becomes Thor’s maid J. Thrym
_____ 11. Jotun who captures Loki, the falcon K. Utgardsloki
_____ 12. mother of Vidar
_____ 13. strongest and slyest of the Jotuns

LOCATIONS
Match each location with the correct description.

_____ 1. home of Gymir A. Alfheim

_____ 2. home of Utgardsloki B. Barre
_____ 3. Frey’s home C. 8 miles underground
_____ 4. the sacred barley patch D. Jotunheim
_____ 5. place where the hammer was hidden E. Lidskjalf
_____ 6. the High Seat F. Utgard

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THAT’S SUSPICIOUS!
When Thor posed as a bride in order to get his hammer back, Thrym was fooled. He expressed
astonishment at how his bride looked and at the things that she did, but Loki was able to give him
explanations that quelled his suspicion. Fill in the blanks below to describe the suspicious situations. Then
provide the lie that Loki told to Thrym.

Suspicious Situation #1

At the wedding feast, the bride ate

(a) ____________________________________________________

(b) ____________________________________________________

(c) ____________________________________________________

Loki’s lie: _______________________________________________________________________

Suspicious Situation #2

When Thrym lifted the bride’s veil, __________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Loki’s lie: _______________________________________________________________________

Connections to Another Story

The lies that Loki told to explain the suspicious situations might remind you of lies
told in a traditional fairy tale. What were two things that made the little girl
suspicious and what lies were told to explain them?

Title of the Fairy Tale: _____________________________________________________

1. _______________________________________________________________

Lie #1: _____________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

Lie #2: _____________________________________________________

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TEACHER’S KEY
CHARACTERS AND LOCATIONS
Characters Locations
1. G 1. D
2. C 2. F
3. H 3. A
4. A 4. B
5. I 5. C
6. J 6. E
7. F
8. A
9. E
10. F
11. B
12. D
13. K

TEACHER’S KEY
THAT’S SUSPICIOUS!

1. (a) all the sweets

(b) eight salmon
(c) a whole roasted steer

Loki’s lie: The bride had eaten nothing for eight days pining for Thrym.

2. her eyes glowed red

Loki’s lie: The bride had not slept for eight nights.

Fairy Tale: Little Red Riding Hood

1. Grandma had big ears.

Lie: The better to hear

2. Grandma had big eyes.

Lie: The better to see

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BRIBES, THREATS, AND CONDITIONS

To be successful, sometimes the characters in Norse myths bribe, threaten, and lay down conditions for
their adversaries. Provide the information required, and then identify each of the following scenarios as
either a BRIBE, a THREAT, or a CONDITION by circling the correct word.

A BRIBE is something given to a person in order to persuade him to do what you want him to do.
A THREAT is a declaration of the intention to harm someone in retaliation for an undesired action.
A CONDITION is something demanded as an essential part of an agreement.

1. Skirnir said he would woo Gerd for Frey only if Frey would give him two things:

(a) ___________________________________________________

(b) ___________________________________________________

BRIBE THREAT CONDITION

2. Skirnir promised Gerd eleven gleaming, golden __________________________ if she would promise to
be Frey’s bride.

BRIBE THREAT CONDITION

3. Geirrod told Loki that he would release him only if he brought Thor to him without his

___________________________.

BRIBE THREAT CONDITION

4. Skirnir told Gerd that he would transform her into a gray, old ________________________ if she did
not give her love to Frey.

BRIBE THREAT CONDITION

5. Thrym said that he would return Thor’s hammer only if ________________________ became his bride.

BRIBE THREAT CONDITION

6. Skirnir told Gerd that he would cut off her _____________________ if she did not give her love to Frey.

BRIBE THREAT CONDITION

7. Skirnir promised Gerd a magic, golden ________________________________ if she would promise to

be Frey’s bride.

BRIBE THREAT CONDITION

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MEETING DANGER

Across
1. What Geirrod's giant daughter tried to do to Loki and Thor when they were crossing the river
4. The item that smashed Thrym and his kin
6. Creatures who tried to stop Skirnir as he rode toward Jotunheim (three words)
10. The weapon that Frey gave to Skirnir
12. Snarling animals who met Skirnir at the door of Gerd's chamber
13. The item that Geirrod threw at Thor when he arrived for dinner (four words)
14. Place where Geirrod imprisoned Loki
15. The item that Freya loaned to Loki so he could look for the thief who stole Thor's hammer (two words)

Down
2. Other creatures who tried to stop Skirnir as he rode toward Jotenheim
3. The element that made the wall surrounding Gymir's realm
5. One gift that Grid gave to Thor to use against Geirrod (two words)
7. The item on which Thor was sitting when Geirrod's daughters lifted it toward the roof beams
8. Another gift that Grid gave to Thor to use against Geirrod (two words)
9. The animal that Frey gave to Skirnir
11. Still another gift that Grid gave to Thor to use against Geirrod (two words)

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TEACHER’S KEY
BRIBES, THREATS, AND CONDITIONS

1. (a) his sword and (b) his horse CONDITION

2. apples BRIBE

3. weapons CONDITION

4. hag THREAT

5. Freya CONDITION

6. head THREAT

7. ring BRIBE

TEACHER’S KEY
MEETING DANGER

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