tag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-02:204177one hundred and one lokis!one hundred and one lokis!one hundred and one lokis!2012-08-24T12:55:59Ztag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-02:204177:10943A version of the death of Baldr in which Loki is not present.2012-08-24T12:55:59Z2012-08-24T12:55:59Zpublic0<span style="line-height:150%;font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:120%;font-style:normal;">“</span> The final myth of import in Saxo’s [Grammaticus] history does not involve Loki at all. It is a version of the death of Baldr in which Loki is not present. It entails a fight between Baldr and Hother (Hödr) over the maiden Nanna. Hother slays Baldr not with Mistletoe but with a magic sword won from a satyr. In this version Baldr is portrayed as wicked and dishonorable; Hother is noble, clever, valiant, and not blind as in Snorri’s [Prose Edda] version. Although the version is highly euhemerized [made into mortal ancient history], it does seem that Saxo is relating an alternative tradition in which Loki is not responsible for Baldr’s death. It may be that Saxo is relating a Danish version or it could mean that Snorri’s condemnation of Loki is not part of the original myth but a Christianized, dualistic addition. <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:120%;font-style:normal;">”</span></span><p>
<div style="float: right;margin: 0 3em 1.5em 4.5em;text-indent: -1.5em;">― “Scar-Lip, Sky-Walker, and Mischief-Monger: The Norse God Loki as Trickster” by Shawn Christopher Krause-Loner (Miami University, Ohio US, 2003)</div>
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<small>[ <a href="http://101lokis.tumblr.com/post/29626692985/the-final-myth-of-import-in-saxos-grammaticus">tumblr</a> entry ]</small></div></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=loki&ditemid=10943" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> comments