Imagine just how much bad you’d have to be to drive your family to tie up your immortal body to rock with the entrails of your son, under a serpent dripping venom. In perpetuity. That’s how bad Loki is in Norwegian mythology.
Fortunately for him, his wife loves him, and catches the venom in a bowl before it hits him. But she periodically has to empty the vessel, so the poison drops on his mouth, leaving him in such agony, the god causes earthquakes.
Though Loki does unimaginable things, including tricking on of his brothers to to kill another, he still retains some family support. Mythic gods are very forgiving of each other, but not so much with mortals.
Even in the Marvel universe, Thor attempts to help Loki find his way home. Again and again. Loki is evil, and yet he has also been known to step in and help out. Usually to help himself. But still…
Of more interest. Villains reflect the nuances of society. Loki is very much a part of his world and reflects its fears and foibles. On a good day, he might do you a favor.
Or not.
But if he does, read the small print and the facial expressions in the shadows.
Funny how gods and goddesses in mythology are as bad as often as they are good. Myth is a universal source of villainy and its complex reality. Have a favorite myth? What does it tell you about good and bad?
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The villains from mythology and folklore always have a way to teach one valuable life lessons (e.g. “don’t talk to strangers or they’ll drown you” is a big part of all water horse folklore). Happy A-to-Z-ing.
So true. Gods are fickle, which means mortals have to always follow the rules.
Norse mythology has a lot of interesting stories in them. My hubby has read a book on them and tells me about it and I really need to read it myself because it sounds fascinating.
~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Yes, it is a lot of fun, although a bit darker than Greek and Roman mythology.
I guess the saying “Can’t live with him and cant live without him” might be appropriate for this guy’s family? Glad to meet you on the A to Z 🙂
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I couldn’t have put it better. Families have their moments. I suppose with gods, it has to be really big moments. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
I wouldn’t really want to be in a position where I was relying on one of these gods for help – especially Loki. Far too shifty!
I wonder if people prayed to these gods for help or to keep them from harm.