loki: Loki, Alberich & Odin (Default)
2012-08-24 10:23 pm

A version of the death of Baldr in which Loki is not present.

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.

― “Scar-Lip, Sky-Walker, and Mischief-Monger: The Norse God Loki as Trickster” by Shawn Christopher Krause-Loner (Miami University, Ohio US, 2003)
[ tumblr entry ]

loki: Loki, Alberich & Odin (Default)
2012-08-19 11:17 pm

"Loki is beautiful and comely to look upon"

Loki is beautiful and comely to look upon, dishonest in spirit, very fickle in habit. He surpassed others in that wisdom which is called ‘sleight,’ and had artifices for all occasions; he would ever bring the Æsir into great hardships, and then get them out with crafty counsel.

― Gylfaginning XXXIII, Prose Edda  (via skadisdottir)
[ reblogged from skadisdottir ] | [ tumblr entry ]