Norse mythological influences on later literature
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Norse mythology provides a rich and diverse source which many later writers have borrowed from or built upon. The most well-known example is probably The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, although he was by no means the first writer to help himself to this source.
[edit] Literature
The Victorian adventure writer H. Rider Haggard, for example, wrote an epic adventure in the style of the Nordic sagas, "Eric Brighteyes". The children's writer Alan Garner is another writer who has found inspiration in this rich seam of mythology, and borrowed many Norse concepts, such as the tale of Freyja's necklace Brisingamen and the hard winter (Fimbulwinter) which portends the end of the world, Ragnarok in his classic story, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. Episodes of Doctor Who have also referenced the Norse twilight of the gods. The Book of the Dun Cow combines Norse legends with biblical themes. The Ballad of the White Horse includes references to Norse gods though it is very much a novel filled with biblical themes.
Other writers who tangibly draw on the Nordic pantheon include L. Sprague de Camp, David Lindsay, C.S. Lewis, Lord Dunsany.
[edit] Comics
During the 1960s, Marvel Comics writer/artist team Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced Thor as a comic book superhero. The character was very popular, and he remains a foundation of the "Marvel Universe" today. Walt Simonson's tenure on the series during the middle-to-late 1980s is considered its high point by many fans, as Simonson drew heavily on the Norse myths for inspiration. The graphic novelist Alan Moore is also thematically influenced by Norse mythology.
Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods touches extensively on the Norse mythos, (amongst others), and one of the central characters is called Wednesday and is subsequently revealed as the god Odin; Loki (nick-named Low-Key) is also depicted in this novel. The Æsir gods also figures in Gaiman's graphic novel series The Sandman, most notably in the Season of Mists and The Kindly Ones story-lines. Jeff Smith's graphic novel Bone draws heavily on Norse mythology, including the use of dragons.
The graphic novel manga series Ragnarok, by Myung-Jin Lee, is based on Norse mythology and the events of Ragnarok, the prophesied fall of the gods. The Norse Pantheon heroes are also the main characters of Japanese anime Matantei Loki Ragnarok.
[edit] See also
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Norse mythology |
|---|---|
| List of Norse gods | Æsir | Vanir | Giants | Elves | Dwarves | Troll | Valkyries | Einherjar | Norns | Odin | Thor | Freyr | Freyja | Loki | Balder | Týr | Yggdrasil | Ginnungagap | Ragnarök | |
| Sources: Poetic Edda | Prose Edda | The Sagas | Volsung Cycle | Tyrfing Cycle | Rune stones | Old Norse language | Orthography | Later influence | |
| Society: Viking Age | Skald | Kenning | Blót | Seid | Numbers | |
| People, places and things |
