tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159051840405921749.post8341572273175784591..comments2012-08-09T06:31:55.539-07:00Comments on Scandinavian Civilization Fall 2011: Norse Mythology Response- MattJohannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488471369021872803noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159051840405921749.post-63498784474404463162011-09-20T17:25:47.250-07:002011-09-20T17:25:47.250-07:00I was not yet able to hear the speaker's prese...I was not yet able to hear the speaker's presentation on Norse Mythology but I thoroughly enjoyed the reading in the course pack--I, too, noticed the underlying motif of trickery. <br /><br />I tried to focus on learning about what the article claimed to be the four foremost dieties (Odin, Thor, Freya, and Freyr) but the triskster Loki seemed to be a much more dynamic, leading character than any of the other four! I thought this interesting because, as you point out the similarities between the nature of modern day humans and the behavior of the Norse Gods, it is very "human" to become mesmerized by the misdoings of people rather than the good. For example, a murderer will be remembered for decades, but even the most accomplished heroes will be quickly forgotten (just think, how many of you know the names of the CNN heroes nominated last year?).<br /><br />The Norse people used their gods as a way of "validation" for their own lives (especially in violent times) so it makes sense that the Gods would be so "human" even in their wicked ways. Thinking in this light, Loki's popularity, or perhaps notoriety is a better term, is very fitting.Nina Randorfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06642505476366129802noreply@blogger.com